Finance Career Development Guide - UNDERGRADUATE (by MaryEllen Ryan)

FINANCE CAREER DEVELOPMENT GUIDE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS IMPORTANT INFORMATION Welcome and Contact Information

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3

Writing Your Resume

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5

Resume Action Verbs

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7

Resume Checklist

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9

Resume Templates

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10

Writing Your Cover Letter

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12

Cover Letter Checklist

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13

Building Your LinkedIn Profile

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14

LinkedIn Profile Checklist

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15

Writing Sample Guidelines

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16

How Bentley Students Land Positions

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18

Types of Roles Finance Students Land

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19

Researching Roles and Companies

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24

Networking

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27

Informational Interviewing

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30

Applying to Opportunities

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35

Interviewing

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37

Interview Prep Resources

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43

All About Offers

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45

CAREER TOOLKIT

IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES

INTERVIEWING AND JOB OFFER EVALUATION

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WELCOME AND CONTACT INFORMATION Dear Finance and Corporate Finance & Accounting Students, Welcome to the 2020 – 2021 Academic Year!

I have designed this guide to help address the most common questions, issues, and concerns that students have when they connect with the Pulsifer Undergraduate Career Development Center. I hope this will serve as a helpful resource for you, whether you are a junior exploring internship opportunities or a senior pursuing full-time positions.

As your Career Coach, I am here to motivate you, guide you, and provide you with the tools and resources to be successful with your internship and/or full-time job search, but it is important to remember that YOU OWN THE SEARCH. Please be proactive about engaging with our office and starting your search.

Be sure to join the Finance Career Community in CareerEdge to receive email updates about key events, featured jobs, and relevant career information.

All students are invited to schedule an appointment with me. I am here to help you in any way that I can, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Thank you, MaryEllen Ryan mryan@bentley.edu SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT  Handshake > Career Center > Appointments > Schedule a New Appointment  Email GA_UCD@bentley.edu

CONNECT WITH US (781) 891-2375

@BentleyCareer

careeredge.bentley.edu Bentley University Community LinkedIn.com/groups/924

BentleyCareer Bentley University Pulsifer Career Development Center 3

CAREER TOOLKIT

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WRITING YOUR RESUME “The average recruiter or hiring manager spends 6 seconds reading a resume…That’s right. 6 seconds. You’ve got just moments to make a lasting impression and make sure your resume lands in the “Yes” pile as opposed to the “Rejected” stack…”

Source: https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/scanning-resumes

COMMON RESUME SECTIONS

EXPERIENCE (REQUIRED)  Always include the name or the organization, location, job

Resume sections should be tailored to the position for which you are applying. Many sections are flexible and can be combined to tell your unique story.

title, and dates worked  List in reverse chronological order (most recent on top)

CONTACT INFORMATION (REQUIRED)  Name – slightly larger font than the rest of the document and in bold  Complete address – permanent, campus or both o Street, Box # at Bentley (if applicable), City, State, Zip Code o Include your permanent address if you are looking for positions in that area  Email address and cell phone number

 Describe the scope and context of a situation; explain the action you took and the impact these had on both the organization and yourself  Talk about what was learned and the skills developed, not just the tasks/jobs that were performed  Incorporate your strengths! (examples: communication,

 Utilize strong action verbs, quantify results when possible, and use a variety of verbs to start each bullet point

organization, teamwork, attention to detail, ability to multitask / prioritize)  ‘Experience’ is not necessarily limited to jobs or employment; clubs or project work can also be included when relevant

EDUCATION (REQUIRED) University and city/state Degree and month/year of graduation Major(s), minor(s) and concentration(s), if applicable GPA, if above 3.0 (Cumulative and/or Major) – out to two decimals and do not round up!  Academic Honors, if applicable  Include Study Abroad University or Transfer University, if applicable  High School may be included if it has a strong alumni network and/or name recognition; otherwise, it should be    

removed by junior year RELEVANT COURSEWORK / PROJECTS (OPTIONAL)  Consider adding unique courses beyond general or introductory requirements of the major  Choose courses that cover concepts / skills most relevant to the positions you are applying to  Detailed descriptions of specific courses / projects are helpful; laundry lists of courses are not!

RESUME TIPS  Use Microsoft Word, not Google Docs or Pages  One page, singled-spaced  Font size should be between 10-11pt., margins between 0.51 inch  Bullets, dates, and section headers should be formatted consistently throughout  Tailor your resume to each position  Utilize strong action verbs to begin your bullet points; be sure to vary your word choice  Include results / accomplishments; quantify when possible  Emphasize your unique skills  Keep your resume updated with experiences, accomplishments, GPA  Proofread your resume several times to ensure correct grammar and spelling  Objective statement / references should not be on resume  Save resume as a PDF 5

LEADERSHIP, ACTIVITIES, SERVICE (OPTIONAL)  Include extracurricular activities, case competitions, athletics, and community involvement  Use section headers strategically to organize/highlight the most relevant content  Name the organization, role/position title, date, and possibly bullets describing skills, responsibilities, and/or accomplishments  Level of detail for each activity should be commensurate with your level of involvement  Give yourself credit for leadership positions!

SKILLS (REQUIRED)  Include computer, technical and language skills as applicable; indicate your level of proficiency, but don’t overstate!  Do not list soft skills – instead incorporate those skills into your experiences to demonstrate how they were developed INTERESTS (OPTIONAL)  Certain industries may also like to see an ‘Interests’ section that includes hobbies and areas of interests  Can be combined with ‘Skills’ or ‘Activities’  Be honest and specific when listing interests – you may be asked about them in an interview!

NACE COMPETENCIES (The National Association of Colleges and Employers) The career readiness of college graduates is an important issue in higher education, in the labor market, and in the public arena.

Career readiness is the attainment and demonstration of requisite competencies that broadly prepare college graduates for a successful transition into the workplace.

Conveying these competencies through your resume and application will allow you to show those viewing it that you have the qualities needed to succeed.

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: Exercise sound reasoning to analyze issues, make decisions, and overcome problems.

Oral/Written Communications: Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms to persons inside and outside of the organization.

Teamwork/Collaboration: Build collaborative relationships with colleagues and customers, work within a team structure, and negotiate and manage conflict.

Digital Technology: Leverage existing digital technologies ethically and efficiently to solve problems, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.

Leadership:

VMock, a 24-7 online resume-review tool, will analyze your resume from EVERY possible angle, including presentation, impact and competencies. Click here to see VMock in action.

Before meeting with your Career Coach for a virtual or in-person resume review, you must upload your resume to VMock. Incorporate the suggested feedback and improve your resume until you have reached a minimum overall score of 75, including 25 for Competencies, 25 for Impact and 25 for Presentation. If you are struggling to meet the minimum required score, do not use more than 5 attempts, as you only have 10 attempts per academic year.

Leverage the strengths of others to achieve common goals, and use interpersonal skills to coach and develop others.

Professionalism/Work Ethic: Demonstrate personal accountability, effective work habits, integrity and ethical behavior.

Career Management: Identify and articulate one's skills, strengths, knowledge, and experiences relevant to the position desired and career goals, and identify areas necessary for professional growth.

Global/Intercultural Fluency: Value, respect, and learn from diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and religions.

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RESUME ACTION VERBS ANALYTICAL

COMMUNICATION

shaped

introduced

enhanced

analyzed

addressed

visualized

launched

facilitated

ascertained

apprised

minimized

fostered

assessed

arbitrated

FLEXIBILITY

mobilized

founded

compared

attested

accommodated

modernized

guided

computed

authored

adapted

modified

hired

conceptualized

clarified

adjusted

multiplied

influenced

concluded

communicated

accommodated

overhauled

instructed

confirmed

composed

adapted

pioneered

interviewed

critiqued

convinced

adjusted

revamped

judged

deciphered

corresponded

converted

revised

led

deliberated

drafted

grew

spearheaded

moderated

determined

edited

improvised

stimulated

monitored

devised

explained

tailored

suggested

motivated

diagnosed

informed

updated

officiated

estimated

interpreted

INITIATIVE

upgraded

recruited

evaluated

lectured

accelerated

examined

marketed

accomplished

LEADERSHIP

supervised

forecasted

persuaded

achieved

administered

trained

formulated

presented

acquired

advised

integrated

promoted

advanced

allocated

ORGANIZATION

investigated

publicized

bolstered

allowed

arranged

justified

queried

boosted

appointed

assembled

measured

reported

built

approved

budgeted

negotiated

spoke

coordinated

assigned

calculated

prescribed

summarized

created

authorized

catalogued

prioritized

translated

dedicated

chaired

centralized

projected

wrote

demonstrated

coached

charted

enriched

delegated

classified

questioned

sanctioned

rated

CREATIVITY

established

designated

collected

recommended

brainstormed

expanded

directed

compiled

researched

constructed

expedited

educated

consolidated

scrutinized

designed

implemented

elicited

correlated

studied

engineered

improved

employed

Indexed

substantiated

envisioned

increased

empowered

linked

synthesized

fabricated

initiated

enabled

orchestrated

validated

illustrated

innovated

encouraged

organized

verified

produced

inspired

endorsed

oriented 7

RESUME ACTION VERBS ORGANIZATION

reinforced

committed

(continued)

rejuvenated

contracted

planned

relieved

disbursed

processed

remedied

displayed

purchased

remodeled

enlisted

recorded

repaired

excelled

regulated

restored

executed

scheduled

retrieved

exercised

systematized

revitalized

familiarized

tabulated

revived

figured

settled

guaranteed

PROBLEM SOLVING

solicited

indicated

aided

solved

instituted

alleviated

streamlined

involved

augmented

strengthened

issued

counseled

supplemented

maintained

customized

transformed

operated performed

debugged eased

TEAMWORK

prepared

elevated

assisted

programmed

enlarged

collaborated

realized

extended

contributed

related

extracted

cooperated

reviewed

finalized

mediated

satisfied

fulfilled

participated

screened

generated

partnered

secured served

identified interceded

OTHER ACTION

set

invented

VERBS TO CONSIDER

smoothed

lightened

acted

sought

polished

activated

specified

procured

added

submitted

reconciled

appraised

surveyed

rectified

approximated

sustained

reduced

attained

traced

refined

audited

transacted

reformed

certified

transmitted

rehabilitated

commissioned

valued 8

RESUME CHECKLIST GENERAL FORMAT YES

NO Is the resume one page, single-spaced?

Is the name at the top of the page in bold? Are address, phone number, and email easy to read?

Does the ‘Education’ section follow directly after the contact information?

Conservative font style? Same font size throughout (except name slightly larger)?

Are top/bottom, left/right margins equal and between 0.5” – 1.0”?

Size, shape, alignment of bullets consistent throughout?

Dates formatted and aligned consistently?

Are section headers in all CAPS, bold font?

Are verb tenses present tense for current experiences, past tense for past experiences?

Are there approximately 1-4 statements in bulleted format under each item in the ‘Experience’ section?

CONTENT YES

NO Does the resume include the required sections (Education, Experience, Skills) and as many optional sections as applicable?

Does the Education section state official degree and graduation date? Is the cumulative GPA included if higher than 3.0? Is the GPA accurate to two decimals and not rounded up?

Do the bulleted descriptions demonstrate major accomplishments rather than routine tasks/duties and are they quantified when possible?

Do the bulleted descriptions start with action verbs and demonstrate the use of key skills?

Is the resume free of personal pronouns (e.g. no references to “I”, “we”, “me”, “us”, “my”)?

Is the resume completely free from spelling, punctuation, abbreviations, and grammatical errors?

REVIEW YES

NO Have you uploaded your resume to VMOCK and achieved a minimum overall score of 75, including 25 for Competencies, 25 for Impact and 25 for Presentation?

Have you met with your Career Coach for a final review?

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NAME

Street Address, City, State Zip Code ● Phone Number ● Email Address

Spring 20XX

Fall 20XX

September 20XX – May 20XX

September 20XX – Present

September 20XX – Present

September 20XX – December 20XX

COMPUTER AND LANGUAGE SKILLS Computer Skills: Program 1, Program 2, Program 3, etc.

Language Skills: Fluent in [FIRST LANGUAGE] and English [only include if English is not first language]

Name of Organization Position Held • Bullet #1 • Bullet #2

Name of Organization Most Recent Position Held (January 20XX – May 20XX) • Bullet #1 • Bullet #2 Older Position Held (September 20XX – December 20XX) • Bullet #1 • Bullet #2

LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Name of Organization Position Held • Bullet #1 • Bullet #2 • Bullet #3

Name of Employer, City, State Position Title • Bullet #1 • Bullet #2 • Bullet #3

WORK EXPERIENCE Name of Employer, City, State June 20XX – August 20XX Position Title • Two or more bullets to describe your role / responsibilities • All bullets should start with strong action verbs (avoid repeating verbs) and be quantitative where possible ($, #, %) • All bullets should be results-oriented (i.e. how did you make an impact? why were you doing this task? for whom?)

• Lead with the most impressive tasks, not necessarily the tasks you spent the most time on

Full Name of Course • Bullet #1 • Bullet #2

RELEVANT COURSEWORK Full Name of Course • Two – three detailed bullets to describe the key project / course content • All bullets should start with strong action verbs (avoid repeating verbs) • Avoid using the course description from the syllabus

Study Abroad University, City, Country Study Abroad Program, Spring 20XX Brief description of program (subjects studied, travel)

EDUCATION Bentley University, Waltham, MA Candidate for Bachelor of Science, Major, May 20XX GPA: 3.XX Academic Honors:

TEMPLATE 1

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NAME

Spring 20XX

Fall 20XX

Permanent Address: Street Address City, State Zip Code Phone Number

COMPUTER SKILLS: Program 1, Program 2, Program 3, etc.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE: Name of Organization • Bullet #1 • Bullet #2

Name of Organization • Bullet #1 • Bullet #2

ACTIVITIES: Name of Organization • Bullet #1 • Bullet #2

Name of Employer, City, State Position Title • Bullet #1 • Bullet #2

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE: Name of Employer, City, State Position Title • Bullet #1 • Bullet #2 • Bullet #3

09/20XX-Present

01/20XX-Present

09/20XX-Present

09/20XX-12/20XX

12/20XX-04/20XX

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Name of Employer, City, State 05/20XX-08/20XX Position Title • Two or more bullets to describe your role / responsibilities • All bullets should start with strong action verbs (avoid repeating verbs) and be quantitative where possible ($, #, %) • All bullets should be results-oriented (i.e. how did you make an impact? why were you doing this task? for whom?)

• Lead with the most impressive tasks, not necessarily the tasks you spent the most time on

Full Name of Course • Bullet #1 • Bullet #2

RELEVANT COURSEWORK: Full Name of Course • Two – three detailed bullets to describe the key project / course content • All bullets should start with strong action verbs (avoid repeating verbs) • Avoid using the course description from the syllabus

Study Abroad University, City, Country Study Abroad Program, Spring 20XX Brief description of program (subjects studied, travel)

EDUCATION: Bentley University, Waltham, MA Candidate for Bachelor of Science, Major, May 20XX Liberal Studies Major in LSM Name

School Address: 175 Forest Street, Box #XXXX Waltham, MA 02452 Email Address

TEMPLATE 2

NAME

Waltham, MA May 20XX Major GPA: 3.XX; Cumulative GPA: 3.XX Academic Honors:

Bullet #1 Bullet #2 Bullet #3

Bullet #1 Bullet #2 Bullet #3

Bullet #1 Bullet #2 Bullet #3

Bullet #1 Bullet #2

SKILLS AND INTERESTS Skills: Program 1 | Program 2 | Program 3 | Etc. Interests: Interest 1 | Interest 2 | Interest 3 | Etc.

SKILLS AND INTERESTS Skills: Program 1 | Program 2 | Program 3 | Etc. Interests: Interest 1 | Interest 2 | Interest 3 | Etc.

Bullet #1 Bullet #2

Captain of 1st Place Team

Bullet #1 Bullet #2 CASE COMPETITION Name of Competition

• •

Position Title

Name of Organization

• •

Position Title

Name of Organization

• • •

Position Title

LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Name of Organization

• • •

Position Title

Name of Employer

• • •

Position Title

Name of Employer

City, State

February 20XX

City, State

September 20XX – May 20XX

City, State

January 20XX - Present

City, State

September 20XX - Present

City, State

June 20XX – August 20XX

City, State

September 20XX – December 20XX

City, State

January 20XX – May 20XX

Bullet #1 Selected Transaction Experience: Summary of deal (type, i.e. sale, majority buyout; $ value; type of company; indicate if active)  Bullet #1 to describe YOUR contribution to the deal  Bullet #2 to describe YOUR contribution to the deal

Position Title • •

City, State

June 20XX – August 20XX

May 20XX

Waltham, MA

Address: Street City, State ZIP

Two or more bullets to describe your role / responsibilities All bullets should start with strong action verbs (avoid repeating verbs) and be quantitative where possible ($, #, %) All bullets should be results-oriented (i.e. how did you make an impact? why were you doing this task? for whom?)

Lead with the most impressive tasks, not necessarily the tasks you spent the most time on

Name of Employer

• • • •

Position Title

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Name of Employer

• •

• •

Fall 20XX - Present

Spring 20XX - Present

Fall 20XX - Present

Email: student@bentley.edu

Candidate for Bachelor of Science, Major

EDUCATION Bentley University

Phone: (XXX) XXX-XXXX

Name

TEMPLATE 4

ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS Bentley University Men’s / Women’s XXXX Team Captain (20XX – 20XX Season) • Bullet #1 • Bullet #2

Additional: List organizations here that you participate in, but are not a significant time commitment

Name of Organization • Bullet #1 • Bullet #2

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE AND ACTIVITIES Name of Organization • Bullet #1 • Bullet #2

Fall 20XX

City, State Summer 20XX

Name of Employer Position Title • Bullet #1 • Bullet #2 • Bullet #3 • Bullet #4

RELEVANT PROJECT Name of Project • Two – three detailed bullets to describe the key project / course content • All bullets should start with strong action verbs (avoid repeating verbs) • Avoid using the course description from the syllabus

City, State Summer 20XX

Name of Employer Position Title • Bullet #1 • Bullet #2 • Bullet #3 • Bullet #4

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Name of Employer City, State Position Title Summer 20XX • Two or more bullets to describe your role / responsibilities • All bullets should start with strong action verbs (avoid repeating verbs) and be quantitative where possible ($, #, %) • All bullets should be results-oriented (i.e. how did you make an impact? why were you doing this task? for whom?)

• Lead with the most impressive tasks, not necessarily the tasks you spent the most time on

EDUCATION Bentley University Candidate for Bachelor of Science, Major Minor: Major GPA: 3.XX; Cumulative GPA: 3.XX Academic Honors:

175 Forest Street, Box #XXXX, Waltham, MA 02452 | Email Address | Phone Number

TEMPLATE 3

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WRITING YOUR COVER LETTER Cover letters serve as a bridge between your resume and the specific job to which you are applying. A well-written, organized cover letter helps to introduce your resume and directs the reader to key areas of your experience and background that specifically pertain to the open position. Therefore, there is not a “one size fits all” cover letter. A cover letter is also a reflection of your writing skills, so take time and care to proofread and review your document.

SEND A COVER LETTER WHEN:  Applying through BentleyLink or another online database and the employer has requested it  Responding to a job posting via email  Sending a response to a referral from a friend or acquaintance

GUIDELINES A COVER LETTER SHOULD BE:  Formal, polished, concise and confident  ONE page, grammatically correct, and free of typos  Formatted similarly to your resume (font style / size, margins)  Written in the active voice  Varied in sentence structure – don’t begin all sentences with “I”  Targeted to the needs of the company and requirements of the position  A way of connecting the job description with your resume and skills ADDRESS COVER LETTERS TO A SPECIFIC PERSON: If you do not have a contact name:  Investigate the company website and other online resources for contacts and addresses  Call the company and request the name of the person responsible for hiring interns / college graduates in your area  If all efforts fail, use a proper salutation such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Campus Recruiting Team”

ADDITIONAL TIPS  A cover letter is not a repetition of the wording on your resume  An effective cover letter is well-rounded; it highlights both the hard skills and soft skills relevant to the position, and is supported by a variety of experiences (academic, professional, extracurricular)

CONTENT FIRST PARAGRAPH – “WHY THEM?”  State WHY you are writing o Responding to an advertised opening o Following up on a referral o Inquiring about a possible opening  State WHO you are o Year at Bentley University and major / minor  State WHY you are applying to, or are interested in, this employer / position o Find something about the company that speaks to you…but not something generic, such as “your firm is one of the largest, most prominent firms in the industry” SECOND AND THIRD PARAGRAPHS – “WHY YOU?”  State WHAT qualifications you bring to the position  Highlight experiences or academic achievements that directly relate to the qualifications the employer is seeking  Prove through examples of experiences and activities that you have the key skills for the position – i.e., leadership, communication, problem-solving ability, analytical skills  May close with a summary sentence of your qualifications and a confident statement that you can make a contribution to the organization FOURTH PARAGRAPH – “NEXT STEPS”  State WHAT you WANT – an interview or opportunity to further discuss your qualifications and potential opportunities  May reference your enclosed or attached resume  Let the employer know how to reach you  Thank the person and indicate that you look forward to speaking to or meeting with him/her 12

COVER LETTER CHECKLIST GENERAL FORMAT YES

NO Is the cover letter one page, single-spaced?

Are top/bottom, left/right margins equal and between 0.5” – 1.0”?

Does the font and formatting of your cover letter match the font and formatting of your resume?

Is the header properly formatted (your address, two blank lines, current date, two blank lines, company contact / address)?

Is the cover letter addressed to a specific person (“Dear Mr./ Ms. Last Name”)?

Does the cover letter follow a four paragraph format (introduction, two supporting paragraphs, conclusion)?

Does the cover letter include an appropriate sign off (“Sincerely,” a few blank lines, your full name)?

CONTENT YES

NO Does the first paragraph state WHY you are writing and WHO you are?

Does the first paragraph include a thoughtful, personalized statement about WHY you are interested in the company / position?

Do the second and third paragraphs highlight skills and accomplishments relevant to the role?

Are the second and third paragraphs well-rounded, i.e., do they include both hard and soft skills, supported by a variety of experiences?

Does the fourth paragraph clearly state what you want?

Does the fourth paragraph let the reader know how to reach you and thank them for their time?

Is the cover letter completely free from spelling, punctuation, abbreviations, and grammatical errors?

REVIEW YES

NO Have you met with your Career Coach for a final review?

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BUILDING YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE Employers use social media to target applicants and learn more about them. Make sure your social media presence is professional and targeted.

REQUIRED CONTENT

SKILLS

Make sure your LinkedIn profile covers all of the basics.

 Include both hard and soft skills  Research phrases most associated with certain industries

HEADSHOT  Be sure you are nicely dressed, alone in the photo, in front of a non-distracting background

and highlight key words  Endorse people you know well or have worked with for their

HEADLINE  Short, memorable, professional slogan that highlights your skills and accomplishments as well as what you are seeking  “Student at Bentley University” is not a strong headline because it does not promote your unique strengths

GROUPS AND COMPANIES OF INTEREST  Join the Bentley University Community LinkedIn Group

SUMMARY  Concise, confident statement about your skills, qualifications and goals

OPTIONAL CONTENT

 Include information about your education and experience and build on your headline  Approximately 3-6 sentences and written in the first person EXPERIENCE  Treat this section as you would the Experience section on your resume  Include any job, internship, research or leadership experience that is relevant or significant  Include the names of the organizations, job titles, dates and locations  Use bullet points to describe your accomplishments  HINT: If you have done a great job on your resume and it has been reviewed, copy / paste the bullets directly into LinkedIn – no need to recreate the wheel!

skills – they may return the favor

 Follow companies of interest to learn more about the company, stay up-to-date on company news, find jobs, and review connections at the company

Take your LinkedIn profile to the next level by including any of the following sections that are applicable VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE  Highlight your passions and how you like to give back  Include the names of the organizations, job titles, dates and locations  Use bullet points to describe your accomplishments LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS • Showcase your expertise with any relevant credentials you have earned ACCOMPLISHMENTS  Can include Publications, Courses, Projects, Honors & Awards, Test Scores, Languages, Organizations and more ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EDUCATION  List all of your institutions of higher education, including study

 Did you know you can ask your connections to write you a recommendation?

abroad and schools transferred from (if applicable)  Include your Degree, Field of study, Dates attended, and Activities and Societies 14

LINKEDIN PROFILE CHECKLIST IS ALL REQUIRED CONTENT INCLUDED? YES

NO Appropriate headshot (professional attire, non-distracting background) Interesting headline, i.e., NOT “Student at Bentley University” Engaging summary (3-6 sentences highlighting achievements and goals) Experience (all past and present experience with bulleted descriptions) Education (Bentley University, Study Abroad University, Degree, Field of study, Dates attended, and Activities and Societies) Skills (include both hard and soft; endorse as appropriate) Groups and Companies of Interest (join groups and follow companies relevant to career interests)

IS ALL APPLICABLE OPTIONAL CONTENT INCLUDED? YES

NO Volunteer Experience (all past and present volunteer experience with bulleted descriptions) Licenses & Certifications (include any relevant credentials) Accomplishments (Publications, Courses, Projects, Honors & Awards, Test Scores, Languages, Organizations and more Additional Information (ask a former manager or colleague for a recommendation!)

REVIEW YES

NO Is the LinkedIn profile completely free from spelling, punctuation, abbreviations, and grammatical errors?

Have you reviewed the “Profile Strength” indicator to help you identify areas of your profile for improvement?

Have you met with your Career Coach for a final review?

LET RECRUITERS KNOW YOU’RE AVAILABLE! Go to your LinkedIn dashboard. Click on ‘ME’ > View Profile. Just below your picture and headline, you’ll see ‘Show recruiters you’re open to work’. Click ‘Get started’ to add or update your job preference fields: What job titles are you considering?, Where would you like your next job to be located?, What types of jobs are you open to? Next, you can ‘Choose who sees you’re open’ and select between ‘recruiters only’ or ‘all LinkedIn members’.

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WRITING SAMPLE GUIDELINES Many applications for opportunities that include analysis, research, or direct communication with clients will require a writing sample as part of the initial application package. Consider the following when preparing or sending a writing sample:  Usually 2-3 pages in length.  If you already have a well-written writing example longer than the recommended 2-3 pages, write an abstract for the first page summarizing the hypothesis, main points, and conclusion. Let the reader know the following pages are an excerpt of the same document. Include page numbers, your name, and the title of the paper on each following page.  It’s ideal that the paper combines both a topic of interest to, or relates well with, the employer.  Most importantly, the paper must demonstrate your best writing whether or not the topic relates with the employer.  If you expect to have writing samples as part of the application process, select one or two ahead of time and ask a faculty member to review and suggest improvements. Incorporate the edits and prepare the abstracts ahead of time; this will help you get an application out quickly if meeting a tight deadline.  When considering what writing sample to send, look at the work of the employer. What are the underlying skills most needed in the internship or job for which you are applying (critical thinking, research, academic writing, persuasive writing, etc.)? Select a writing sample that best exemplifies the skills the employer is seeking.  Writing samples must not contain confidential information, grammatical errors, or misspellings.  Your writing sample must have been written solely by you. A group project paper is not acceptable and submitting one would be a misrepresentation.  Provide a “roadmap” for your reader. The recruiter is reading a lot of writing samples. At the top of your document, include your name, date you wrote the document, why (for what class or project), and what you think it demonstrates about you; no more than three sentences.

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IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES

17

HOW BENTLEY STUDENTS LAND POSITIONS LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE PATH TO EMPLOYMENT FOR 2019 FINANCE GRADUATES: 39%

Personal Networking

35%

Internship to Full-Time Offer

19%

Campus Recruiting Career Fair Bentley Referral

3% 2%

Other

1%

Family Business

1%

SO WHAT DOES THIS INFORMATION TELL US?  Bentley students land their positions in a variety of ways; the most successful students utilize a variety of strategies in their internship / job search.  NETWORKING IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL! Some estimate that as much as 80 percent of new jobs are never listed but are instead filled internally or via networking. When you do apply to positions that are listed, networking can help your resume land at the top of the pile. The Pulsifer Undergraduate Career Development Center provides you with multiple opportunities to network throughout the year.  Many companies subscribe to the “recruit once, hire twice” philosophy; they hire a student as an intern after junior year and then rehire the student for a full-time role after graduation, after successful completion of the internship. So, the junior summer internship can be very important. BUT, don’t get down if you don’t land that dream internship junior summer – about 65% of your peers will likely be in the same boat (and even more this year due to the COVID-19 impact on Summer 2020 internships).  Approximately 1 in 5 Bentley students land their positions through our campus recruiting program. Finance opportunities tend to be most prevalent during the fall recruiting season.

CHECK OUT THE 2019 CAREER PROFILES! Review the 2019 UNDERGRADUATE CAREER PROFILE, 2019 CORPORATE FINANCE & ACCOUNTING CAREER PROFILE, 2019 ECONOMICS-FINANCE CAREER PROFILE and 2019 FINANCE CAREER PROFILE on CareerEdge. Each profile includes the path to employment, compensation data and featured positions for that specific major. The Career Profiles are a great resource to help you identify companies / roles of interest.

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TYPES OF ROLES FINANCE STUDENTS LAND ADVISORY

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Overview: Advisory refers to the act of providing a third party with expert knowledge for a fee. The advisory services provided by the major accounting firms include:

Overview: There are several different areas of specialization in commercial real estate. Below are a few areas of interest:

 Increasing the efficiency of a company through an analysis of its processes and functions  Risk management, i.e., determining the threats faced by the company and suggesting appropriate mitigation strategies/solutions  Creation of financial reporting programs which leverage the latest technology for the company  Creation of accounting programs which leverage the latest technology for the company Firms that have hired Bentley students / alumni for advisory roles: Deloitte | EY | Grant Thornton | KPMG | PwC | RSM

COMMERCIAL BANKING (also see Credit Analysis) Overview: A commercial banking career path has you providing clients with credit products such as term loans, revolving lines of credit, syndicated facilities, cash management services, and other fixed income products. From undergrad, you typically start as a credit analyst. A credit analyst is tasked with analyzing a client’s financial statements, competitive position, industry, and management team. The credit analyst prepares an “application for credit” that determines the structure and pricing of a financing request. As a credit analyst, you deliver financial advice and solutions that are tailored to your clients’ needs, such as growing their business, buying new equipment, funding working capital, and day-to-day banking.

Firms that have hired Bentley students / alumni for commercial banking roles: Berkshire Bank | Brookline Bank | Cambridge Savings Bank | Citizens Bank | East Boston Savings Bank | Eastern Bank | Middlesex Savings Bank | People’s United Bank | Rockland Trust | Salem Five Bank | Santander Bank | Silicon Valley Bank | TD Bank

 Acquisitions: Real estate acquisitions professionals are generally responsible for helping source, analyze, perform due diligence on, and negotiate the purchase of new equity investments for their real estate investment firms. It’s important to note that acquisitions professionals generally pursue existing properties (either stabilized or unstabilized properties) whereas real estate development professionals pursue new build opportunities.  Asset Management: Real estate asset managers make important investment decisions, ensure the client's investment doesn't depreciate, and mitigate the client's exposure to risk. Real estate portfolios may include different types of properties in a variety of regions and markets.

Asset managers in the real estate industry also hire key personnel like property managers, work with leasing agents, communicate with investors, and negotiate contracts.  Brokerage: Brokers conduct business on behalf of a firm and they represent a buyer or seller in a transaction. They can conduct business with corporations, institutional buyers and sellers, foreign and domestic businesses, as well as various other investment entities. A commercial broker will usually focus on a single type of property such as industrial, retail, office, lodging, or apartments.  Development: Real estate developers buy land, finance real estate deals, build or have builders build projects, create, imagine, control, and orchestrate the process of development from the beginning to end. Typically, developers purchase a tract of land, determine the marketing of the property, develop the building program and design, obtain the necessary public approval and financing, build the structures, and rent out, manage, and ultimately sell it.

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TYPES OF ROLES FINANCE STUDENTS LAND COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE (continued)  Investment: Institutional real estate investment refers to real estate investment at a large scale by an institution. The institution is usually a real estate investment trust (REIT), insurance company, or pension fund. Institutional investors employ their own brokers and analysts, among many other roles. An analyst can be responsible for monitoring markets, tax law, regional market changes, geographical economic trends, local and global market trends, as well as micro trends Firms that have hired Bentley students / alumni for commercial real estate roles: AEW Capital Management | Arbor Realty Trust | B6 Real Estate Advisors | Boston Capital | Boston City Properties | CBRE | Cushman & Wakefield | HFF | JLL | Newmark Knight Frank | Novaya Real Estate Ventures | Pembroke Real Estate | TA Realty | Walker & Dunlop

CONSULTING Overview: Consulting is a big, one-size-fits-all term that includes virtually any form of advice-giving. Many people think first of management / strategy consulting, but there are many other types of consulting, including Financial Consulting, HR/Staffing Consulting, and IT Consulting. (Note that Financial Consulting and IT Consulting may also be referred to as “Advisory”).

Financial Consulting firms provide advice on:  Capital budgeting, project valuation and financial information integrity  Risk management, insurance engagements, financial control and compliance  Global finance operations, tax and treasury optimization  Corporate restructuring HR / Staffing Consulting firms help clients to:  Manage compensation and benefits programs  Analyze staffing needs, advise firms on personnel policies and diversity issues  Recruit, hire and train workers

IT Consulting firms help clients to:  Design and implement IT systems or develop better IT practices  Train staff members in IT areas such as hardware/software design setup  Provide strategic advice on social media, search engine marketing and IT issues Management / Strategy Consulting firms help to:  Improve an organization’s structure, management, efficiency and profits  Develop and recommend short-term and long-term strategies for their clients Firms that have hired Bentley students / alumni for consulting roles: Accenture | Aon Radford | Bain & Company | Boston Consulting Group | CVS Health | Deloitte Consulting | FTI Consulting | Management Solutions | Massaro | Oracle | Protiviti | PwC | RSM | Slalom

CREDIT ANALYSIS (also see Commercial Banking) Overview: A credit analyst is a financial professional who assesses the creditworthiness of securities, individuals, or companies. Credit analysts determine the likelihood that a borrower can repay their financial obligations by reviewing the borrower's financial and credit history and determining whether the state of the subject's financial health and the economic conditions are favorable to repayment. After evaluating the level of risk of an investment, the analyst will determine the interest rate and credit limit or loan terms for a borrower. Credit analysts are typically employed by commercial and investment banks, credit card issuing institutions, credit rating agencies, and investment companies.

Firms that have hired Bentley students / alumni for credit analysis roles: BDC Capital | Capital One | East West Bank | First Republic Bank | MutualOne Bank | Moody’s Investor Services | Northern Bank | STAG Industrial | U.S. Bank 20

TYPES OF ROLES FINANCE STUDENTS LAND EQUITY RESEARCH Overview: Equity Research primarily means analyzing a company’s financials, performing ratio analysis, forecasting the financials in Excel (financial modeling) and exploring scenarios with an objective of making BUY/SELL investment recommendation.

Sell-side equity research analysts are typically part of an investment bank and focus on a universe of stocks within one or two industries in order to provide insightful investment ideas and recommendations:  Directly to institutional investors;  Directly to the investment bank’s salesforce and traders, who in turn communicate those ideas with institutional investors;  To the finance community at large through financial data service providers such as Capital IQ, FactSet, Thomson and Bloomberg, who resell the data. Notable end users are investment banks M&A and advisory services groups, which use sell-side equity research to help forecast company performance in presentations and pitch books.

Sell side equity research analysts communicate formally through research reports and notes that place buy, sell and hold ratings on companies they cover as well as through less formal direct phone, email and in-person communication with institutional investors.

Buy-side equity research analysts, on the other hand, analyze companies in order to make an actual investment in line with their firm's investment strategy and portfolio. Also unlike sell-side research, buy-side research is not published. Buy-side analysts work for a variety of investment firms:    

Mutual funds Hedge funds Private equity Other (insurance, endowment and pension funds)

Firms that have hired Bentley students / alumni for equity research roles: BNY Mellon | Canaccord Genuity | Citi | Credit Suisse | Eaton Vance | Fidelity | Goldman Sachs | Invesco | Jefferies | MFS Investment Management | Nomura | The Boston Company | UBS | Voya Investment Management

FINANCIAL ADVISING / PLANNING Overview: A financial advisor / planner is a professional who provides financial guidance to clients based on their needs and goals. Typically, they provide clients with financial products, services, planning or advice related to investing, retirement, insurance, mortgages, college savings, estate planning, taxes and more. There are several credentials that financial advisors can obtain, and the most common is the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. An advisor must pass the CFP test, have an appropriate level of prior education, sign a code of ethics, and have several years of actual planning experience before obtaining the right to use the CFP designation.

Firms that have hired Bentley students / alumni for financial advising / planning roles: Ameriprise | Baystate Financial | Concord Wealth Management | Edward Jones | Equitable Advisors | Financial Compass Group | Financial Foundations, Inc. | Janney Montgomery Scott | McAdam Financial | Merrill Lynch Wealth Management | Morgan Stanley | New York Life | Northwestern Mutual | Raymond James | Wells Fargo Advisors | UBS

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS Overview: Being a financial analyst is one of the most popular career paths in finance. This is largely because analysts can work in a range of industries. A financial analyst is a professional who is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting financial data as well as preparing reports, models, presentations and recommendations for leaders of a business or clients. Analysts must be good with numbers, have a strong understanding of accounting, and be able to manage large data sets.

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TYPES OF ROLES FINANCE STUDENTS LAND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS (continued)

INVESTMENT BANKING

Because the role can be quite different depending on where an analyst works, the industry an analyst chooses to go into defines their day-to-day responsibilities. Overall, however, analysts play a significant part in providing decision-makers with the information they need to make informed decisions.

Overview: Investment bankers are responsible for a wide range of duties including raising capital, providing advisory services for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and other corporate transactions, completing valuation work, and marketing the value of the bank’s expertise to client companies.

Investment banking analysts are the workhorses of an investment banking team. Generally, the role of an analyst is to perform the bulk of the analytic work needed to facilitate these corporate transactions, and this typically involves a lot of work with presentations (pitch books) and models.

Firms that have hired Bentley students / alumni for financial analysis roles: Akamai Technologies | American Express | athenahealth, Inc. | BAE Systems | Bose Corporation | CBS Corporation | C&S Wholesale Grocers | FedEx | General Dynamics | General Motors | Great American Group | Hologic | Lahey Health | National Grid | Northwell Health | Otis Elevator | Pegasystems | Raytheon Technologies | Teradyne | Thomson Reuters | Tiger Capital Group | Time Warner | TJX Companies

FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS (FLDPs) Overview: FLDPs are rotational programs that allow participants to rotate between different roles, such as Financial Planning & Analysis, Financial Reporting, Internal Audit, Corporate Accounting, Operations, Treasury and more. In addition, most programs offer structured training & development on both hard and soft skills, formal mentorship, and networking opportunities.

FLDPs are typically 2-3 years in duration, with the length of each rotation varying by program; rotations may be available in different locations, including international. Companies make significant investment in FLDPs, and use them to identify future financial leaders for the firm. FLDPs are great options for students who know they are interested in Corporate Finance roles, but would like to explore different functions.

Firms that have hired Bentley students / alumni for financial leadership development programs: Aetna | BAE Systems | Dell | EF Education First | Epsilon | Liberty Mutual | Marriott International | Raytheon Technologies | Stanley Black & Decker | State Street | Synchrony Financial | The Hartford | Thermo Fisher Scientific | Travelers | Verizon

 Pitch Books are marketing materials for the bankers to present to their corporate clients; they show the bank’s qualifications, recent industry data, sample transaction and analysis information, and advisory recommendations.  The analytical work consists of building and perfecting financial models for any given corporate situation. This work will typically include Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis, Comparable Companies and Comparable Transactions (Comps), M&A models, and/or LBO models.  Analysts spend substantial time repeatedly building and evaluating different financial alternatives for the client. One example might be running M&A models and showing the accretion/dilution effects to earnings based on different allocation scenarios for debt and equity in the proposed transaction.

Firms that have hired Bentley students / alumni for investment banking roles: Alantra | Baird | Barclays | BellMark Partners | BMO Capital Markets | BNP Paribas | Canaccord Genuity | Capstone Headwaters | Citi | Covington Associates | Credit Suisse | Houlihan Lokey | HSBC | Jefferies | JP Morgan | Lazard | Morgan Stanley | Oppenheimer & Co. | Philpott Ball & Werner | Provident Healthcare Partners | RBC Capital Markets | Sandler O’Neill + Partners | Stifel | UBS | Wells Fargo Securities | Whipstitch Capital 22

TYPES OF ROLES FINANCE STUDENTS LAND INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

conditions and upon any customer request. They oversee

Overview: Investment management is the business of investing other people’s money. It is the “buy side” of the broader financial industry. Investment managers put their clients’ money to work in common stocks (equities), bonds and other fixed-income securities, commodities, alternative investments, or a combination of any of these. Their clients may be companies, pension funds, endowments, insurance companies, private banks, nonprofits, and individuals — in short, anyone who has money to invest. The investment management industry is also known as the asset management industry.

positions in various sectors and buy and sell securities to improve those positions. Traders trade with other traders at

There are a wide variety of roles within investment management, including research, compliance, trading, operations, client service, performance analysis, and more.

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Firms that have hired Bentley students / alumni for investment management roles: Acadian Asset Management | Alcentra | AllianceBernstein | BlackRock | Columbia Threadneedle Investments | Eaton Vance | Fidelity | John Hancock | Liberty Mutual Investments | MassMutual | Meketa Investment Group | MFS Investment Management | Natixis Investment Managers | Putnam Investments | Sun Life Financial | Wellington Management

SALES & TRADING Overview: Sales and Trading (S&T) is a group at an investment bank that consists of salespeople, who call institutional investors with ideas and opportunities, and traders, who execute orders and advise clients on entering and exiting financial positions.

A firm’s sales force is responsible for conveying information about particular securities to institutional investors. The sales force also are in constant communication with the firm's traders and research analysts to provide timely, relevant market information and liquidity to the firm’s clients.

Traders buy and sell securities on behalf of these institutional clients and for their own firm in anticipation of changing market

commercial banks, investment banks and large institutional investors. Trading responsibilities include: position trading, risk management, sector analysis & capital management.

Firms that have hired Bentley students / alumni for sales & trading analysis roles: Bank of America | BMO Capital Markets | BNP Paribas | Cantor Fitzgerald | Citi | Credit Suisse | Deutsche Bank | Jefferies | JP Morgan | Morgan Stanley

Overview: Wealth management provides a holistic suite of services that encompasses all parts of an individual or family’s financial life, including investment management, as well as legal and estate planning, accounting and tax services, retirement planning, trust services, philanthropic planning, risk management, and more. A wealth manager may serve as the central point of contact for a client’s financial affairs, coordinating communications and relationships with financial experts and a client’s other advisors, such as an attorney, accountant, or insurance agent. The overall goal of wealth management is to grow and preserve wealth over the long term. Both big banks and independent firms offer wealth management services.

There are a wide variety of roles within wealth management, including investment research (for both proprietary strategies and outside manager due diligence), compliance, trading, operations, client service, performance analysis, and more.

Firms that have hired Bentley students / alumni for wealth management roles: Ballentine Partners | Bank of America Private Bank | Bernstein Private Wealth Management | Brown Brothers Harriman | BNY Mellon Wealth Management | Boston Private Wealth | CIBC Private Wealth Management | Deutsche Bank | Fidelity | Goldman Sachs | Merrill Lynch | Morgan Stanley | RBC Wealth Management | UBS | U.S. Trust | William Blair & Company 23

RESEARCHING ROLES AND COMPANIES Researching roles and companies of interest is a critical step in the internship / job search, and it should not be overlooked. Many students who jump straight into the applying phase of the search wind up applying to roles and companies that they are not truly interested in. While researching roles and companies certainly requires a great deal of effort, it ultimately leads to a more targeted and successful search. There’s no shortage of resources available to help you gather the information you need.

Vault provides in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to work within an industry, company, or profession—and how to position yourself to launch and build the career of your dreams. Vault is best known for its influential rankings, ratings, and reviews on thousands of top employers and hundreds of internship programs. Vault also publishes detailed guidebooks; the following is a sample of guidebooks that may be of interest:         

Top 50 Banking Employers Top 50 Management & Strategy Consulting Firms Vault Career Guide to Commercial Banking Vault Career Guide to Consulting Vault Career Guide to Investment Banking Vault Career Guide to Investment Management Vault Career Guide to Sales and Trading Vault Career Guide to Wealth Management AND MUCH MORE…!!!

Access Vault through the Resources tab in CareerEdge and create a free account with your @bentley.edu email address.

Corporate Finance Institute offers a number of free resources to help you prepare for your career in finance, including:  Career Map: Explore the interactive Career Map to find your path in corporate finance and capital markets jobs. The Career Map divides the industry into four different types of employers: Banks (“sell side”), Institutions (“buy side”), Corporates (“issuers”) and Public Accounting firms; within each of the four employers, there are three to four main areas. Each area is evaluated in terms of compensation, work load, competition, quant skills and soft skills. You can also get information on the key personality traits that lead to success in that role, compensation, and exit opportunities.  How to get a job in…: Guides on how to get a job in investment banking, equity research, FP&A, treasury, and other financial analyst positions.  Job Descriptions: Browse the most common job requirements and skills from job descriptions at the world’s best financial institutions.  Meet the players: Lists of investment banks, private equity firms, corporates and other firms.  AND MUCH MORE…!!!

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The Pulsifer Undergraduate Career Development Center plans and hosts many virtual on-campus events that allow students to connect with professionals and learn more about their current roles, career paths, and companies. Please note: all events are subject to change due to COVID-19.  Finance & Economics Virtual Career Fair (Mid-September): A mini Career Fair for students majoring in Finance, Economics-Finance and Corporate Finance & Accounting! Learn about open opportunities and network with company representatives to find out what roles might be a good fit for you.  Career Fair (Late September | Mid-February): Students should not miss the Career Fairs held in the Fall and Spring semesters! Each semester, 110-140 companies come to campus to recruit for open internship and/or full-time positions. Please note: the niche Career Fairs (such as the Finance & Economics Virtual Career Fair) will replace the overall Career Fair in Fall 2020.

ATTEND VIRTUAL OR ON CAMPUS EVENTS!!!

 Success in the City (early January): Visit three companies in New York City to experience what it might be like to work in the Big Apple. Learn about company culture, different roles within the firm, and network with Bentley alumni and other professionals.  Career Conversations (Early February): Informally chat with Bentley alumni and other friends of Bentley to learn more about different career paths relevant to Finance, Economics-Finance and Corporate Finance & Accounting students.  Business in Boston (Early April): The Boston version of Success in the City!  Information Tables (Throughout the year): Informally chat with employers between classes in Smith.  Information Sessions (Throughout the year): Get in-depth information about specific companies, the roles they’re recruiting for, and network with professionals.  Employer in Residence (Throughout the year): Meet with recruiters during informal one-onone 15 minute drop-in sessions.

For complete, up-to-date information about events, visit the Events page of CareerEdge.

Speaking with professionals is one of the best ways to get helpful information about different roles,

NETWORK!!!

career paths, companies, industries and more. (Not to mention, it’s a critical part of a successful internship / job search. Remember the ‘Path to Employment for 2019 Finance Graduates on page 18?) See pages 27 – 34 for more information on networking and conducting informational meetings.

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Glassdoor holds a growing database of millions of company reviews, CEO approval ratings, salary reports, interview reviews and questions, benefits reviews, office photos and more. Unlike other jobs sites, all of this information is entirely shared by those who know a company best — the employees.

Top Wall Street jobs are hard to land and even harder to survive. With the help of 440,000+ members, Wall Street Oasis will help you break in and master your finance career. As a user, you'll receive 6 free modeling lessons & networking and interview tips.

Wall Street Prep was established in 2004 by investment bankers to train the financial services industry. Used by thousands of students and finance professionals, our instructor-led and online training programs bridge the gap between academia and the real world by teaching the practical skills needed to succeed on the job.

Mergers & Inquisitions is the world’s first and largest blog dedicated to careers in the finance industry, with over 641 expertly crafted articles, 533,084+ monthly visitors, and 115,341+ email subscribers. After you sign up for free weekly updates, you’ll get interviews with industry insiders in investment banking, private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, sales & trading, and other fields, as well as career tips, commentary on news and current events, and case studies and modeling tutorials. 

The Banker Blueprint (FREE DOWNLOAD!): This information-rich 57-page guide gives you a proven action plan for breaking into investment banking, including how to tell your story, network, craft a winning resume, and dominate your interviews.

Breaking into Wall Street provides financial modeling training and career resources for investment banking, private equity and hedge funds. Trusted by 22,981+ customers from 81+ countries.

Learn about investment banking…become an investment banker. ibankingFAQ provides insight on lifestyle, recruiting, interviewing and more.

Looking for additional information? Be proactive and resourceful by searching for “entry level investment management jobs”, “credit analyst responsibilities”, “what is risk assurance”, etc.

Specific searches turn up lots of helpful information!

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NETWORKING Networking is simply the process of building positive, advantageous relationships, either by making a connection with someone in person or virtually. It involves speaking with professionals in your fields of interest in order to explore careers and gather information.

While some people have an easier time making new connections than others, it is important to remember that everyone is capable of networking.

WHY SHOULD I NETWORK? EXPLORE CAREERS AND INDUSTRIES If you’re unsure about your field of interest, you can explore options by identifying people who majored in Finance or Corporate Finance & Accounting and are now using those majors in different ways. Then reach out for a conversation.

FIND CONTACTS If you’re more certain about your career path, you can network to establish contacts in that field. These people can become great sources of knowledge or potentially mentors. If you have an interview coming up, you should find someone at the organization to get their insights before the interview.

LEARN ABOUT JOB/INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Networking is a critical component of any job or internship search. Some estimate that as much as 80 percent of new jobs are never listed but are instead filled internally or via networking, so it’s to your benefit to build and activate your network.

HOW SHOULD I NETWORK?

WHO IS ALREADY IN MY NETWORK?

UTILIZE THESE RESOURCES TO LOCATE AND NETWORK WITH ALUMNI AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS: Family

 LinkedIn: Build and engage your network with 500+ million professionals from around the world, including 50,000+ Bentley alumni

Neighbors

 Bentley University Alumni Chapters: Explore contacts and events occurring in a particular geographic region for those alumni clubs in order to network and connect with alumni in that area.  Professional Associations: Joining a professional association is a great way to boost your networking efforts! Many professional organizations offer a free or reduced membership cost for students. See pages 33-35

Friends

YOU

Co-workers & Supervisors

Bentley Staff

Professors

Coaches

for a list of relevant professional associations to consider.

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HOW CAN I IDENTIFY CONTACTS VIA LINKEDIN? An excellent (and easy!) way to start is by searching for Bentley alumni. From your LinkedIn home page, search for “Bentley University and select “Bentley University School ● Greater Boston Area”:

From there, click on “Alumni”, which will bring up an interactive bar chart:

Search for a particular company, job title, or geographic region.

Click “Next” to filter by additional categories, including: What they do, What they studied, What they are skilled at, and How you are connected Click on any of the bars to filter by category. You may filter by multiple categories, i.e.

“Where they live: Greater New York City Area” and “Where they work: PwC”. Scroll down to view the alumni that meet your search criteria.

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Can’t find a Bentley alumni who works at your target company? That doesn’t mean you should give up on your attempt to make connections within that company! From your LinkedIn home page, search by company name. When you land on the company’s page, click on “People”, which will bring up an interactive bar chart similar to the Bentley University Alumni chart.

Click “Next” to filter by “What they do”. Identify someone who works in a role that you’re interested in and/or in Human Resources / Campus Recruiting.

Click “Next” again to search by “How you are connected” Do you have any 2nd degree connections that might be willing to make an introduction for you?

HOW DO I REACH OUT TO CONTACTS? This depends on your communication preferences and how well you know that person. While email or LinkedIn may be best for someone you don’t know well, a phone call may be appropriate for someone you speak with regularly. Include the following information in any correspondence: your introduction, who referred you / how you found the contact, why you’re reaching out, what you hope to learn, and a specific request (like a brief conversation). Keep in mind that when sending a LinkedIn connection request, you are limited to 300 characters, so you will need to be very succinct. After the initial outreach, wait a week for a reply. If you don’t receive one, send a follow-up message. If you still don’t receive a response, move on to another contact.

CAREER EXPLORATION EMAIL Dear Mr./Ms. Alum, I am a junior finance student at Bentley who is interested in learning more about the investment management field. My professor, John Smith, recommended that I reach out to you. [Add one or more lines highlighting why you have interest in the field].

Would you have time for a 15 minutes phone call, at your convenience, to discuss investment management as a possible career path? I would like to hear about your career path and experience in the industry, and ask any advice you would have for me on pursuing the field.

I am sure you have many demands on your time, so I thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing back from you.

Jane Rogers jrogers@bentley.edu | 781.555.1234

LINKEDIN CONNECTION REQUEST Hi Mr. Jones, I’m a senior at Bentley majoring in finance. I’d like to learn about your role as a [insert job title here] at [insert company name here].

Would you be open to speaking with me, at your convenience, to share your experience?

I understand your time is valuable and thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely, Mary Wilson 617.555.5678

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INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWING This is one of the most common ways to network and gives you the opportunity to connect meaningfully with a professional.

Informational interviewing is asking someone about what they do – it is not asking for a job or internship.

PRIMARY GOALS

WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK?

 Investigate a specific career field and learn about important issues / current trends in that field  Narrow down career options or uncover options you never knew existed

Sample Questions for an Informational Interview:

 Obtain advice on where your skills might be applied  Broaden your network of contacts for future reference

WHO SHOULD I INTERVIEW? You can contact a wide range of professionals from a variety of fields and companies. It helps to ask people you know to introduce you to people they know who work in your desired field.

People you know: Family & Friends Neighbors Co-workers Professors

People you may not know (yet)!: Alumni Professional Organization Members Employers Social Media Contacts

HOW DO I PREPARE? Preparing for an informational interview allows you to be more confident, make a positive impression, and ensures you get your questions answered. It also allows you to respond to questions abut yourself more effectively.

To prepare, you should:      

Identify what you want to get out of the meeting Research the professional and his/her company Research the industry Review your experiences, interests, and skills Practice your introduction Develop a list of questions

If the meeting will be in person, be sure to arrive a few minutes early and dress in formal or business casual attire (depending on the industry and venue). If the meeting will be virtual or over the phone, be sure to identify a quiet space you can use in advance that has a strong internet connection.

 How did you enter this job/career?  What do you do in a typical day/week? Is there a set routine, or is there variety on a day-to-day basis?  Do you usually work independently or as part of a team?  What aspects of the job do you find most rewarding and most frustrating?  How would you recommend someone break into this field?  What kind of educational background is required?  What kind of person would be best suited for this career in terms of personality, interests, and skills?  What kind of experience or internship would help in this field?  Are there specific courses a student might take that would be particularly beneficial in this field?  What are the typical hours? Is travel expected with this job?  What type of training is provided to entry-level employees in this field?  What technologies are integrated in to this career?  How do you see the jobs in the field changing over the next five years? How can I prepare myself for such changes?  What professional organizations are active and responsive in this career field? Which industry publications do you read?  What are some job titles of entry-level positions in the career field? What is the career trajectory?  What is a typical salary range in this field?  What advice would you give on locating opportunities, the time frame for applying, and the interview process?  What special advice would you give to a young person entering this field?  Are there any other individuals you recommend I speak with to learn more about this career?

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THANK YOU NOTE EXAMPLE

WHAT DO I DO AFTER THE MEETING? SEND A THANK YOU NOTE Within 24 hours, send a thank you email or note highlighting the value of the meeting and referencing something specific the professional suggested. Keep the door open for future exchanges.

REFLECT ON WHAT YOU LEARNED Every informational interview allows you to learn about possible career paths. Take the time to reflect upon what you learned and how that related to your own values, interests, personality, and skills. You might find that your interest has been piqued further, or that a particular career isn’t exactly what you thought it was. It’s important to have multiple conversations with people in a given field to get a full picture.

DEVELOP A PLAN TO STAY IN TOUCH Since networking is relationship building, it’s important to stay in touch with your contacts. It may be a simple email filling them in on something new in your professional life, sending an article that could be of interest to them, or sharing a seasonal greeting. It is appropriate to follow up every few months, but it depends on whether or not you have something substantial to say. Not everyone will find time to reciprocate, so don’t take offense if you don’t get a reply. Also create a database to track contact information – name, company, title, date of conversation, notes and follow-up tasks.

FINAL TIPS / KEYS TO NETWORKING  Create a list of everyone you know and identify how they could help you gather career information  Define what information you need and what you are trying to accomplish  Prepare and practice your elevator pitch  Start each in-person encounter with a firm handshake, good eye contact, and a smile  Be professional, courteous and authentic in all conversations  Adopt a positive attitude about networking and be proactive  Send communications at least a week apart and no more than three times; if you don’t receive a response, move on  Get organized – create a database of contacts with notes about each person, conversations you had, and any follow up items  Send a thank you note after any networking interaction  Focus on quality of interactions, not quantity  Be patient – you may start slowly but you will build momentum

Dear Mr./Ms. Alum, Thank you again for taking time from your busy schedule to speak with me yesterday afternoon about your career. Your advice and insight was very beneficial. I will be contacting Michael Jones today, as you suggested. In addition to following up with that contact, I have applied to internships at ABC Co. and XYZ Inc. I appreciate the suggestions.

(Include a point or two about advice they gave you that really resonated.)

I hope you enjoy the holidays! Again, thank you for your time.

I will keep you posted on my internship search process, and I look forward to staying in touch.

Regards, Mary Johnson mjohnson@bentley.edu) (617) 123-4567

SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS One in three employers have rejected candidates based on something that was on their social media. The tips below will help guide you before reaching out to future employers or potential networking contacts.        

Adjust your privacy settings; be aware of what is public Proactively tag or un-tag yourself in photos and events Always proof before you post Never complain about your job/boss or broadcast confidential employer information Utilize social media sites to research organizations and professionals Follow companies of interest and engage in career related groups Customize the invitation to connect on LinkedIn Use Bentley University’s Alumni feature on LinkedIn to search for alums

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PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Joining a professional association is a great way to boost your networking efforts! Many professional organizations offer a free or reduced membership cost for students. Membership in a professional organization may include access to the following benefits:  Career Resources  Networking Events  Educational Events

ORGANIZATION

CFA Society Boston

The Risk Management Association (RMA)

 Scholarship Programs  Mentorship Programs  Membership Directory

 Job Opportunities  Private LinkedIn Groups  Newsletters / Other Publications

OVERVIEW CFA Society Boston is New England’s largest membership organization for investment professionals with over 5,800 members.

The membership represents over 650 investment firms and 94 percent of CFA Society Boston members hold the Chartered Financial Analyst designation from CFA Institute.

RMA’s purpose is to advance the use of sound risk principles in the financial services industry, focusing on credit risk, market risk, and operational risk. RMA has approximately 2,600 institutional members that include banks of all sizes as well as nonbank financial institutions. They are represented in the association by 18,000 risk management professionals who are chapter members in financial centers throughout North America, Europe, and Asia/Pacific.

The Society of Financial Service Professionals is a multidisciplinary community of accomplished professionals whose common purpose is to deliver the highest level of ethical service to their clients. In an

Society of Financial Services Professionals

environment promoting professional development and ethical conduct we welcome as regular members qualified professionals who hold one of the following credentials: AEP®, CASL®, CEBS®, CFA, CFP®, ChFC®, CIMA, CLF®, CLU®, CPA, CPCU®, CTFA®,

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP COST

$50 annually

FREE

$48 National Dues (National Dues provide for web benefits only) Additional Chapter Dues may apply

Enrolled Actuary, JD, MBA, MSFS, MSM, Masters/PhD in Financial Services, REBC®, RHU®, RICP®.

Financial Planning Association ® (FPA®)

FPA® is the principal professional organization for CFP® professionals. We are the community that works together to elevate individual financial planners, regardless of compensation model or practice type, and the financial planning profession as a whole. We believe true financial planners provide an invaluable, critical service to society, and that CFP® professionals lead the way in the commitment to raise the bar for the clients they serve—from transaction to transformation.

$39 annually

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ORGANIZATION

OVERVIEW

National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA)

NAPFA is the country’s leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve. We provide networking opportunities, education, business development, and advocacy to promote the professional success of fee-only, comprehensive financial advisors.

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP COST $35 annually for full-time students $150 annually for part-time students

IREM is an international force of nearly 20,000 individuals united to Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM)

advance the profession of real estate management. Through training, professional development, and collaboration, IREM supports its members and others in the industry through every stage of their career.

$50 annually

NAIOP – Commercial Real Estate Development Association

NAIOP is the leading organization for developers, owners and investors of office, industrial, retail and mixed-use real estate.

NAIOP comprises 19,000+ members and provides strong advocacy, education and business opportunities through a powerful North American network.

Not specified on website

The Real Estate Finance Association (REFA)

REFA, a division of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB), is a commercial real estate business association providing members with high quality networking and educational opportunities. REFA strives to maintain its reputation for excellence by promoting the exchange of information between professionals in the real estate finance community, and fostering a platform for growth and development for its Emerging Leader membership.

$75 annually

Financial Women’s Association

The Financial Women’s Association brings together high achieving professionals from every sector of the financial world. We are dedicated to developing future leaders, enhancing the role of

$50 annually

women in finance, and investing in the community.

AFWA promotes the professional growth of women in all facets of Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA)

accounting and finance. Members increase their career potential by connecting with colleagues, receiving education and mentorship to advance their careers, and developing leadership skills. For more than 75 years, members have tapped into a network of successful,

$45 annually

motivated, and influential professionals who understand the unique position of being a woman in the industry and who, together, contribute to the future development of their profession.

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ORGANIZATION

OVERVIEW

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP COST

Asian Women in Business (AWIB)

AWIB’s primary mission is to assist Asian women entrepreneurs and professionals. Over the years, AWIB, a dynamic organization, has expanded its mission to address issues affecting Asian Americans on the corporate level; and Asian women in the legal arena; and has established a scholarship program for undergraduates which promotes and rewards demonstrated leadership. AWIB also serves on various task forces and boards to promote the inclusion of minority and women owned businesses and professionals.

$50 annually

National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP)

As the largest and fastest growing Asian & Pacific Islander professionals association, NAAAP provides its members with the tools and resources to further career advancement and to empower them to be great leaders as well as valuable employees. In order to achieve our goals, NAAAP offers a diverse range of professional development programs on the local and national level, engages its membership in community service and organizes professional networking events.

$35 annually

ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals For America)

ALPFA’s mission is to empower and develop Latino men and women as leaders of character for the nation, in every sector of the global economy. ALPFA currently serves more than 92,000+ professional and student members across the country. In addition to networking and professional leadership development opportunities,

Basic Membership: FREE

our members have access to 50,000 paid summer internships through hundreds of Fortune 1000 corporate partners. We aspire to

There is an ALPFA Chapter here at Bentley!

Premium Membership: $30 annually

be the business partner of choice for companies seeking to hire and develop Latino talent.

National Association of

The National Association of Black Accountants (NABA, Inc.), is

Black Accountants – Boston Metropolitan

dedicated to bridging the opportunity gap for people of color in the Accounting, Finance, Consulting, Information Technology and other

Chapter (NABA)

related business professions. Representing more than 200,000 people of color in these fields, NABA, Inc. advances people,

Not specified on website There is a NABA Chapter here at Bentley!

advances careers and advances the mission by providing education, resources and meaningful career connections to both professional and student members, fulfilling the principle of our motto: Lifting As We Climb.

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APPLYING TO OPPORTUNITIES Once you have perfected your Career Toolkit and done your research to identify roles / companies of interest to you, it is time to start applying! There’s no magic number of opportunities to apply to. Only apply to opportunities that you would have a legitimate interest in.

Continue submitting applications until you have accepted an offer.

PLEASE NOTE: While applying to positions is key step in the internship / job search process, applying alone will likely not lead to success. The internship / job market is competitive…and think about how many people can view and apply to a position when it is posted publically. Making connections at companies of interest greatly increases your chances of landing an interview. See pages 2829 for tips on identifying potential contacts via LinkedIn. Handshake

Handshake is Bentley University’s NEW official career platform, with current postings for internships and full-time job opportunities.

Career Builder

CareerBuilder is the most trusted source for job opportunities & advice. Access career resources, personalized salary tools & insights. Find your dream job now!

Company Websites

For organizations that you’re interested in…go directly to their websites to browse open positions!

eFinancialCareers

eFinancialCareers offers thousands of global open positions in financial services, investment banking, fintech and more. Browse news and career advice from the finance industry.

Glassdoor

Use Glassdoor to search millions of jobs and get the inside scoop on companies with employee reviews, personalized salary tools, and more.

GoinGlobal

GoinGlobal updates job postings daily and gives you the ability to search 16 million+ worldwide opportunities in the local language, as well as English. Access GoinGlobal through the Resources tab in CareerEdge and create a free account with your @bentley.edu email address.

Indeed

Indeed is the #1 job site in the world with over 200 million unique visitors every month. Indeed strives to put job seekers first, giving them free access to search for jobs, post resumes, and research companies.

Internships.com

Internships.com is the world’s largest student-focused internship marketplace, bringing students, employers and higher education institutions together in one centralized location.

LinkedIn

There are thousands of internships and entry-level jobs at amazing companies on LinkedIn. Search by company, industry, or location and apply with one click.

Monster

Monster is your source for jobs and career opportunities. Search for jobs, read career advice from Monster's job experts, and find hiring and recruiting advice.

OneWire

OneWire is a SaaS-based recruiting and sourcing platform that hosts the largest community of professionals in the financial services industry. Candidates can confidentially search and apply to jobs, join employer talent communities and stay open to new opportunities at top finance companies.

Suited

Suited connects exceptional candidates with top-tier investment banks.

Vault

Search thousands of new jobs posted daily on Vault. Sign up for job alerts to have the latest jobs that match your search sent to you directly. Access Vault through the Resources tab in CareerEdge and create a free account with your @bentley.edu email address.

AND MANY MORE…! Find what works for you!

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INTERVIEWING AND JOB OFFER EVALUATION

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INTERVIEWING Interviews are perhaps the most significant part of the hiring/evaluation process. Both you and the interviewer have your own objectives: YOUR GOALS ARE TO:

THE INTERVIEWER’S GOALS ARE TO SEE:

 Showcase your skills and interpersonal qualities  Demonstrate that you are a match for the position through specific examples of past experiences  Determine if the position / organization are a good fit for you

 If you have the skills to do the job  If you are motivated to do the job  If you are a fit with the organization’s culture

PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW Preparation is the most important part of your job or internship interview. Lay the foundation and follow these steps to maximize success.

Conduct thorough research on the organization and industry. Employers view knowledge of their organization as a critical factor in applicant evaluation because it demonstrates the candidate’s interest, enthusiasm, and seriousness about the position.

INTERVIEW SUCCESS

Tailor interview responses to describe experiences in relation to the skills and qualifications the organization is seeking. Conduct a mock interview with a Career Coach, recruiter, former employer or Bentley alumni.

PRACTICE INTERVIEW RESPONSES

RESEARCH THE ORGANIZATION AND THE INDUSTRY ANALYZE THE POSITION Know the qualifications and responsibilities outlined in the job description. Identify the key skills the position requires and describe a time you have used each of the skills using the STAR technique.

THE FOUNDATION – KNOW YOURSELF Know your values, interests, personality and skills. Practice communicating these concisely and clearly as they relate to the position, organization and industry. Review your experiences. Analyze your academic training, leadership experiences, critical thinking skills and nonacademic activities in relation to the position.

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TYPES OF INTERVIEWS RESUME/TRADITIONAL This form of interviewing goes through your resume. Questions focus on your education, prior work experience, and activities. Know your resume inside and out. Highlight the skills that you developed or enhanced in the class, job or activity, and connect your responses back to the desired skills / qualifications of the role.

BEHAVIORAL Based on the principle that the best way to predict future behavior is from past behavior, this method of interviewing is one of the most commonly used. Behavioral questions typically begin with “Tell me about a time when…” or “Give me an example of when...” Use the STAR technique (page 40) to describe how your specific experiences relate to the job.

CASE Some companies, especially those in consulting and finance, are concerned not only with your experience but also with your ability to address complex problems and reach logical conclusions. The emphasis here is on your thought process; there is not necessarily a right or wrong answer.

TECHNICAL Companies in financial services, or companies in other industries hiring for finance-related roles, may ask questions related to academic coursework or concepts and/or industry knowledge. * Please refer to pages 43-44 for specific interview prep resources.

COMPANY RESEARCH CHECKLIST ORGANIZATIONAL KNOWLEDGE Annual Reports, especially the letter to Shareholders

Company leaders (CEO, etc.)

Primary locations

Company history

Organizational structure

Stock price/trends; PE ratio

Company mission statement

Principle products / lines of business

Annual revenue

Industry background / general information

Relative size in industry / market share

Industry jargon

Competitors

Industry trends and facts

INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE

CURRENT EVENTS New products / lines of business

Recent news articles about company and/or industry

Researching a publicly traded company? From the Bentley Library homepage, click on ‘Research’, then select ‘Databases A-Z’.

Under the ‘Filter by Subject’ header, click on ‘Analyst Opinion’. Scroll down and click on ‘Investext from Mergent’. Use the ‘Basic Search’ tab for Company Details, Executives, Ownership, Company Financials, Competitors and more. Use the “Investext’ tab to search for Analyst Reports.

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COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS You can’t always anticipate every question you’ll receive in an interview. However, common themes include applications of analytical, problem solving, and decision-making skills; leadership development; creativity; teamwork; and personal development. These should be answered using specific examples. Interviews often include a mix of different types of questions.

RESUME-BASED / QUALIFICATIONS  Tell me about yourself.  Walk me through your resume.  Why are you interested in our organization? Industry?  Why are you interested in this particular position?  Why did you choose to attend Bentley University and how did you select your major?  Tell me about your most recent summer internship and what you liked / disliked about the experience.  What work experience has been the most valuable to you and why?  What challenges are you looking for in a position?  Why do you feel you will be successful in this program?  What is your greatest strength / weakness, and how will it affect your performance in this program?  What characteristics do you think are important for this position?  How has your education at Bentley prepared you for a ---position?  Where do you see yourself in five years?  What has been the biggest accomplishment in your life and why?  Why should I hire you?

BEHAVIORAL  Give an example of a problem you have solved and the process you used.  Describe a situation in which you had a conflict with another individual and how you dealt with it.  Tell me about a team project of which you are particularly proud and your contribution.  What types of situations put you under pressure, and how do you deal with the pressure?  Tell me about a situation when you had to persuade another person to your point of view.  Describe a leadership role you have held, and tell me why you committed your time to it.  In thinking about a past position you have held, what did you do to make your duties more effective?  Describe one of the toughest competitive situations you have faced and how you handled it.  What has been one of your greatest disappointments and how did you respond?  Tell me about a time when you failed.  Describe a situation in which you were criticized, and how you responded.  Tell me about a time you went above the call of duty.

THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS WHAT INTERVIEWERS ASK YOU:

WHAT THEY REALLY WANT TO KNOW:

1. Describe yourself. How does your background qualify you for this job?

1. Can you take an incredible amount of information, organize it quickly in your head, and present it concisely and articulately?

2. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

2. How mature are you in dealing with your weaknesses?

Can you identify methods for self-improvement?

3. Why this job? Why this organization?

3. Have you done your homework? Are you analytical?

4. How would your peers describe you?

4. How do you see yourself? Are you a leader or a follower?

5. What makes you think you will succeed in this organization?

5. Have you accurately identified the skills and expertise needed to succeed? Can you prove you have them?

6. Why should we hire you? What do you bring to this job?

6. How are your persuasion skills? Are you believable?

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STAR TECHNIQUE The STAR techniques provides a concise and thorough framework for organizing responses to behavioral interview questions.

Describing specific experiences adds credibility to your responses regarding your qualifications for the position. Begin by analyzing and identifying themes within the job description. Then reflect on your experiences to identify examples of when you demonstrated the skills, qualities, and knowledge required for the position. You should draw from classroom, extracurricular, volunteering, and job/internship experiences. Think about what skill(s) you can highlight with each example (ex: teamwork, communication, analytical, etc.) as well as the questions for which you can use each example.

Note, when providing examples that involved a team, be sure to balance a description of the team’s efforts with your specific role. If you don’t have much team experience, consider joining a club or participating in a volunteering trip!

SITUATION

Describe the context of the situation – class project, student activity, volunteer, job, etc.

TASK

Describe the task and your specific role – goal, problem to be solved, improvement to be made, etc.

ACTION

Describe the actions you took – planning and implementation done to reach goal, solve a problem, etc.

RESULT

Describe the outcomes of your action – impact, influence, change resulting from your action, etc.

REFLECT

Take your answer a step further. Describe what you learned from the situation. Is there anything you might do differently in the future if you encountered a similar situation?

STAR APPROACH IN ACTION Give me an example of a time you faced a conflict while working on a team. How did you handle that?

Situation: During the fall of my junior year, I took the Integrated Business Project class. I was assigned to work with a group of five students, and we were tasked with evaluating a local, private high school and making recommendations for how to increase the bottom line over a five year time horizon.

Task: Of the five team members, one consistently missed meetings and either did not turn in the work that was assigned to him, or turned in work of very poor quality. The other teammates and I had a discussion, and we decided that I would reach out to the student who was not performing well.

Action: I met the student for coffee, and he said that he had been a bit overwhelmed with his finance classes and didn't consider this particular course to be a priority. I explained that his poor performance was impacting the group’s ability to complete the project on time and get a good grade. He apologized and said that he would make an effort to participate more actively in the project for the remainder of the semester.

Result: At the end of the day, the students’ performance only improved marginally, and that was reflected in his peer evaluation.

The other team members and I each had to pick up a little additional slack to ensure we completed the project on time, and we did do well overall.

Reflect: Although the outcome of this situation was not particularly ideal, I did learn important lessons. I think it would have been beneficial to address the problem sooner, instead of waiting until more than halfway throughout the semester. I also learned that on a team, not everyone will participate equally, and I think that's a realistic lesson to take into the workplace.

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QUESTIONS TO ASK THE INTERVIEWER Interviewers typically give you the opportunity to ask questions at the end of an interview. Make the most of this opportunity – it can be a red flag to employers if you don’t ask any questions. The questions you ask will help you gain information to aid in your decision-making process. Your questions should focus on the industry, the organization, and the position.

INDUSTRY QUESTIONS  If you were interviewing with a healthcare company, a good

 Which part of the position has the steepest learning curve? What can I do in order to get up to speed quickly?

industry question might be: There has been a lot of consolidation within the industry lately, such as a major

 What is the typical career path for someone in this role?  What are the most successful team members doing differently

drugstore chain buying a health insurance company (CVS buying Aetna) and another health insurance company

from the average team members?  How is job performance evaluated?

merging with a pharmacy benefits manager (Cigna merging with Express Scripts). Do you think consolidation is necessary to grow and thrive in today’s healthcare industry?  In what ways has this organization been most successful in terms of products/services over the past several years compared to competitors in (this industry)?  What challenges and opportunities do you see over the next two years regarding growth in (this industry)?  What kind of changes do you expect to see in (this industry) over the next two to three years?

ORGANIZATION QUESTIONS  If you were interviewing with a retail banking company, a good organization question might be: Could you talk about how your company balances the consumer expectations for both online / mobile capabilities and a company with a localized presence?  How do you see this company evolving in the next 5-10 years?  How would you describe the culture of your organization?  What kind of professional development programs does the company offer?  What values do you see in your company’s leadership that have contributed to the organization’s success?  How do you celebrate accomplishments and achievements here?

POSITION QUESTIONS  Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?  What are your expectations for this role during the first 30 days, 60 days, year?

 Describe the top three challenges that I’ll face in this job.  Could you tell me about the team I would be working with?

VIRTUAL INTERVIEWING TIPS  Test your technology ahead of time (interview platform, audio, video, WiFi connection) and identify a quiet location where you can comfortably complete your interview. You can use Big Interview (see p.43) to gain virtual interview practice too.  Minimize distractions. Turn off computer notifications and your cell phone. Tell roommates, family, etc. that you will be interviewing and not to disturb you.  Have the phone number and/or email address from a company contact available in case you run into any technical difficulties during your live interview.  Dress as though you’re preparing for an in-person interview.  Build rapport with the interviewer(s) in the first five seconds.

Greet the interviewer(s) with a smile and a warm greeting. If you are doing a pre-recorded interview, ignore this item.  Maintain strong eye contact throughout your interview by focusing on your camera’s lens rather than your own screen.  Have proper body language (positive expression, good posture, etc.) to demonstrate your interest and excitement.  Keep it natural and avoid the temptation to read from a script.

Your interviewer will be able to tell if you are referring to your notes.  Don’t forget to follow-up with your interviewers with a thank you note.

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POST INTERVIEW FOLLOW-UP: THANK YOU NOTES Writing a thank you note is an extremely important way to bring closure to the interview process. It is another opportunity to sell yourself, and it may be the last impression the employer will have of you before making their final decision, so make the note thoughtful. A well-crafted thank you note can help you stand out from other candidates.

THANK YOU NOTE TIPS  Timeliness is everything! As a general rule of thumb, set a goal of sending a thank you note within 24 hours of your interview.  Always send a thank you note to individuals with whom you have interviewed. If more than one person interviewed you, send a personalized note to each individual. Interviewers may share your thank you note, so don’t simply copy/paste the same text.  Keep it brief. Your note should be no more than 2-3 short paragraphs.  Ask for a business card at the end of the interview. It is difficult to send a thank you note if you do not have the interviewer’s contact information.  Proofread your note before sending. Correct spelling and proper grammar are a must.

EMAIL OR HANDWRITTEN NOTE?  Is your penmanship neat and legible? If not, opt for an email thank you note.  Do you realistically have time to buy notecards, write the note, buy stamps, and drop the note in the mail? How long will it take for the note(s) to reach the interviewer(s)? Remember, timeliness is everything! o HINT: Bring notecards with you to the interview.

After the interview, step out of the office, write the note(s), then hand deliver to the office receptionist. o HINT: Send an email thank you note within 24 hours to ensure timely delivery, and then follow up with a handwritten note.  If you send a handwritten note, use a plain, light-colored note card.  If you send an email note, include a relevant subject line (i.e. “Thank you from Sarah Smith”).

THANK YOU NOTE GUIDELINES  Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you (politeness goes a long way)!  Remind the individual when the interview took place and for what position you interviewed.  Reiterate your interest in the position, and mention some specific details about the company or the position that were discussed during the interview (this will also highlight your listening skills).  Tie your qualifications and interests back to the position.  Reiterate your interest in follow-up and/or next steps

THANK YOU NOTE EXAMPLE Dear Ms. Jones: Thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday to discuss the Equity Research Internship.

My interest in the position has grown after our discussion about the intensive two-week training period and collaborative culture at the company. I am confident that my finance coursework at Bentley and my experience as an analyst in the Bentley Investment Group have prepared me well for this role.

I am also particularly impressed by the formal mentorship program that the company recently launched and would take full advantage of the opportunity to be mentored by a Senior Research Associate.

I look forward to hearing from you regarding next steps.

Thank you again for your consideration.

Sincerely, Sarah Smith

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INTERVIEW PREP RESOURCES Looking for additional resources to help make sure your interview skills are top notch? Check out the list below.

MOCK INTERVIEWS

Schedule a Mock Interview with your Career Coach! We’ll focus on resume and behavioral based questions, and will point you towards the best resources for technical and case interviews.

Ask a mentor, colleague, recruiter, professional you’ve met through your networking efforts, or student who has interned at your dream company to conduct a mock interview with you.

When preparing for a job interview, it's not enough to just read advice — you need to put that advice into practice! That's why Big Interview isn't just a training course. You'll also get hands-on practice with mock interviews tailored to your specific industry, job, and experience level.

Watch ‘Fast Track’ or “Mastery Track’ video lessons on a variety of different interview topics, including Interview Fundamentals, Acing Common Interview Questions, Behavioral Interview Questions, and Closing the Deal.

When you’re ready to practice, utilize Big Interview’s unique mock interview tool to get random interview questions, or practice interview questions specific to specific industries (Financial Services, Investment Banking, Sales & Trading, etc.), or specific competencies that employers are looking for.

Access Big Interview through the Resources tab in CareerEdge and create a free account with your @bentley.edu email address.

Vault has compiled all the interviewing advice that you will ever need to land your dream job. Click here to view sample questions, watch informative videos and get expert help for an effective interview that will stand out from the competition.

Check out two of Vault’s most popular interview guides:  Vault Guide to Finance Interviews  Vault Guide to the Case Interview Vault’s Career Guides also include industry-specific interview tips:  Vault Career Guide to Commercial Banking  Vault Career Guide to Investment Banking  Vault Career Guide to Investment Management  Vault Career Guide to Sales and Trading  Vault Career Guide to Wealth Management Access Vault through the Resources tab in CareerEdge and create a free account with your @bentley.edu email address..

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INTERVIEW PREP RESOURCES Always check glassdoor for interview feedback! Glassdoor has a growing database of interview reviews, posted by current employees and/or candidates who have interviewed with that company.

You may get lucky and find interview feedback specific for the role you’re interviewing. If you can’t find feedback for the specific role, it’s still extremely helpful to read interview reviews for other roles, as companies tend to ask similar resume / behavioral based questions for a variety of roles.

Based on years of experience coaching candidates and making hiring decisions the CFI Team has carefully developed these lists of interview questions and produced answers that are likely to give you an edge over other job candidates.           

Most Common Finance Interview Questions Financial Modeling Interview Questions Investment Banking Interview Questions Equity Research Interview Questions FP&A Interview Questions Accounting Interview Questions Credit Analyst Interview Questions Behavioral Interview Questions Commercial Banking Interview Questions Economics Interview Questions AND MANY MORE…!

The key to success for case interviews is preparation and practice. Case interviews are becoming a very popular way to evaluate candidates for a variety of roles across many industries. Here are a few resources to help you prepare:

CASE INTERVIEWS

 Vault Guide to the Case Interview  Case in Point: Complete Case Interview Preparation (by Marc Cosentino)  Case Interview Secrets: A Former McKinsey Interviewer Reveals How to Get Multiple Job Offers in Consulting (by Victor Cheng)  caseinterview.com  PrepLounge  Evisors

Be proactive and resourceful by searching for “entry level financial analyst interview questions”, “insurance industry case interviews”, “equity research interview questions”, etc. Specific searches turn up lots of helpful, free resources!

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ALL ABOUT OFFERS Receiving an offer is exciting, but can also be stressful. When you receive an offer, you may have a number of questions: Should I take it? How do I decide between multiple offers? How can I ask for more time? How do I accept or decline the offer? Offers should be handled with careful consideration, and the Pulsifer Undergraduate Career Development Center is here to help support and guide your decision-making process.

EVALUATING AN OFFER Evaluate your offer in terms of TOTAL COMPENSATION (SALARY + BENEFITS)! A generous benefits package equals extra dollars in your pocket!

Offer Letter and Salary The offer letter outlines basic information, such as your position title and location, expected start date, conditions of employment (i.e. completion of a successful background check and drug test) and salary. In your offer letter, your salary may be stated as an annual, monthly or hourly figure. But there’s so much more to know, which may not be clearly outlined in your offer letter. Make sure you understand the following:  Is the company offering a one-time signing or relocation bonus?  What is the timing of salary adjustments? 

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Are you eligible for an annual bonus? What is the bonus based on – individual performance, divisional performance, firm-wide performance, a combination?

Are you eligible for overtime pay if you work more than a specified number of hours per week? If so, what is your overtime rate – time and a half?

Are you eligible to earn commission? This is most common in sales roles. If so, ask the employer to provide the details of the commission plan, and make sure you understand it.

Retirement Plans  What type of plan is offered?  How soon can you begin contributing and when are you fully vested?  Does the employer match a percentage of the employee contribution?

Vacation Time / Sick Time / Holidays  How many days or weeks of vacation / sick time do you have each year? Does this increase over time? (Vacation / Sick Time may be grouped together and referred to as Paid Time Off or “PTO”).  How long until you can use it? Can it be rolled over, or is it on a “use it or lose it” basis?  Does the company follow a standard holiday schedule?

Tuition Assistance / Reimbursement  Under what circumstances might this apply?  Are there dollar limits or limits on the number of courses per year?  Is reimbursement grade dependent (i.e. you must earn a B or better to be fully reimbursed)?

Life Insurance  Many employers provide basic life insurance coverage free of charge, with the option to purchase more.

Health, Dental, Vision  What types of plans does the employer offer? Through which providers?  How much does the employer contribute to the cost of each plan vs. how much is the employee responsible for? 

Can you contribute to a Health Savings Account or a Flexible Spending Account?

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NEGOTIATING AN OFFER The degree to which a salary is negotiable depends on the position. Many entry-level positions are non-negotiable; they have set salaries that are subject to very little if any negotiation.

If you decide to negotiate, here is what you need to know…  Understand the market and have a number in mind. Don’t be surprised if the employer responds with: “What salary did you have in mind?” Do your research! What did last year’s Bentley graduates earn (on average)? What are competitors paying for comparable roles? See your Career Coach, network with current and past employees in the company, and review salary data online to determine a reasonable salary range.  Be able to concisely articulate why you deserve more.

Cite market figures, prior work experience, advanced degrees or certifications, competitive offers, cost of living, etc. Having a good GPA or being a hard worker is just not enough.  Be confident, not arrogant. Calmly and reasonably articulate your concerns regarding the salary. For example: “Thank you so much for the offer of employment. I am excited about the opportunity to work for [XYZ company]. As you know, I have over two years of relevant experience at a direct competitor, which I believe is an advantage over other entry-level candidates. Also, the average starting salary for Bentley students who accepted similar positions last year was $XX, so I was expecting something in the range of $XX - $XX+. Is salary something that we could spend a moment discussing?”

Or: “I am so pleased to have received an offer of employment and am strongly considering joining your firm. However, I have received an offer from a competitor that is for $3,000 more. I funded a great deal of my education on my own and being able to pay back my student loans while also comfortably managing the

 Don’t play hardball. The last thing you want is to leave a bad taste in the employer’s mouth. Remember, you may wind up working with this person in the future. If you do not get what you asked for, remain polite and professional.

Thank the employer for their consideration and let them know that you will get back to him/her once you have made your final decision.

REQUESTING MORE TIME When faced with a decision to accept an offer that you feel you can’t make in the time allotted, you can consider requesting more time from the employer.

Here’s a typical scenario that students encounter: You have been given an offer by Company X and they have asked you to respond by the end of the week. You are also interviewing with Company Y and their final round interviews are not until the following week. You are most interested in Company Y but certainly don’t want to decline Company X and run the risk of having no offers on the table.

Your first course of action is to call Company Y and see if there is any way they can expedite their recruiting process. Some firms will be flexible (to a point) if they can. It is important to note that, if you have asked a company to see you early, you must be available on whatever alternative date and time they suggest.

But what if Company Y says there is no way they can see you early? Your next course of action is to call Company X and ask for an extension: “I am calling in hopes that you might grant me an extension on my offer”. If they say yes, thank them and offer a reasonable timeframe for when they can expect to hear from you. If they say no, thank them and let them know they can expect to hear from you prior to the original deadline. If they ask why you need an extension (and most will), simply explain that you are currently interviewing with one other organization and that you would like to see the process through to completion.

Again, this is not an easy conversation to have, but rest assured, you will not be the first student who has made this request.

cost of living in New York is something that is weighing on my mind. I was wondering if there is any room for negotiation regarding the offer you extended.”

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ACCEPTING AN OFFER

FINAL THOUGHTS

Once you have thoroughly evaluated and decided to accept an offer, convey that decision to the employer as soon as possible. Calling the person who extended the offer to you is the preferred form of communication; if, however, you have most frequently communicated by email, it is appropriate to confirm your offer via email. Thank the employer again for the opportunity and express your excitement about joining the team.

Think very carefully about the offer and don’t accept until you are ready, as an acceptance must be made in good faith with the intention of honoring the commitment. Some questions to ask yourself include:  Are the organization’s values and culture in sync with mine? Did I engage well with the people I met?  Is the work challenging? Do they provide me with professional development opportunities?  Even if it isn’t the exact position I was hoping for, will I gain skills that will positively influence my career / professional development?  Does the compensation package (salary, benefits, vacation, health and retirement plans) meet my needs?  Is it in a geographic location that interests me?  How do I feel about the required level of travel?

The Pulsifer Undergraduate Career Development Center strongly recommends that you notify all other organizations with whom you have interviewed that you have accepted an offer and wish to withdraw your name from further consideration. You may also consider notifying and thanking all those who have helped you in your job search, including those who served as references, provided you leads, and gave advice.

WITHDRAWING / DECLINING AN OFFER Sending an email when withdrawing from the interview process or declining an offer is important to assure good relations with the organization.  Withdraw from the interview process / decline an offer as soon as you know you are no longer interested, or immediately after accepting an offer from another organization  Withdrawing / declining tactfully in a timey manner will not offend the organization  Be positive – let them know it was a difficult decision, express your appreciation, and thank them for the opportunity

RENEGING AN OFFER You accepted an offer with Company A. Weeks later, Company B calls and extends you an offer. You are torn.

You accepted with Company A but Company B is your “dream job”, what do you do? While you are not legally required to join an organization after accepting an offer (nor

Use the matrix below to help with your evaluation. If you would like to discuss your situation, please make an appointment with your Career Coach.

JOB OFFER EVALUATION MATRIX Create your own list of features that matter to you and list them in order of importance, with the most important feature appearing at the top of your list. Rate the features of each company’s offer on a scale of one to five (1=poor; 5 = excellent). This is one way to compare multiple job offers.

FEATURE

______________________

______________________

COMPANY 1

COMPANY 2

Salary Training & development Opportunity to travel Company culture

are they legally obligated to fulfill their offer of employment), it is very unprofessional to renege on an offer and, if you do, you will most likely sever all future relationships with that organization and perhaps other organizations as well. In the end, the decision is yours to make and is a very difficult one.

TOTAL RATING

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