Quick profile
- Nationality: British
- University: English, Philosophy and Spanish at Durham University
- Position: Executive, Research Analyst in WMAM - Emerging Markets
- Business area: WestLB Mellon Asset Management (WMAM)
- Interests: Football and tennis
- High points: Working on a large syndicated loan transaction that made international headlines.
- Low points: The variety here is a definite plus. However, there are some more mundane aspects to the job that have to be completed. And that can be frustrating when you’re busy and you want to get on with something more challenging.
I was attracted to the job by the exciting, fast-moving environment and by the potential rewards.
I thought WestLB was the best option because they’re one of the few banks who offer a rotation programme. And even though I had an idea of the area I wanted to work in, I thought WestLB’s programme would be very useful as it would give me direct experience of different areas of the trading floor.
The interview process was relaxed, friendly and refreshingly quick – a couple of first round interviews (one with HR and one with a line manager) followed by a group stage involving a case study, further interview, lunch and a group exercise.
If you want to do well at an interview, my advice is: do your research. Knowing about the bank and their products is a good way to stand out from the crowd.
When I started, I didn’t expect the work to be so challenging or so interesting. And I certainly didn’t expect to be given so much responsibility so early. But WestLB is relatively small compared to the "bulge bracket" banks so there’s more opportunity to get genuine, hands-on experience and do real, meaningful work. Which is great, because while the initial training provides a solid introduction to banking, the majority of your real training happens on the job. And the culture here is inclusive.
They don’t simply hand graduates the routine, boring tasks. They involve you in the interesting stuff and they take time to explain things properly so you understand the context. And that helps you make a real contribution.
You do have to be a self starter, though. It’s no good sitting around waiting for the opportunities to just come to you. You have to be proactive and ready to put the effort in. And senior colleagues are certainly prepared to listen to your views. So it’s possible to make a real difference. And if you perform well, they reward you.
But it’s not all work, work, work. I am generally pretty outgoing and there’s been plenty of opportunity to socialise and get to know the other graduates, who are an amazingly diverse and interesting bunch, by the way. And the work-life balance here seems pretty healthy to me, especially when you compare WestLB with other banks. Considering my favourite thing in the world is the weekend, that’s saying something.
I’ve learned a lot since I started here. More than I ever thought I could in fact, and really quickly, too. But perhaps the most important thing I’ve learned and one which I have found really useful is, drink too much and you wake up with a hangover.
“If you want to do well at an interview, my advice is, do your research. Knowing about the Bank and their products is a good way to stand out from the crowd.”
Lee Ray