Internship FAQs

What does an intern do?

As an intern, you will be involved in real work within a team. The role you do will be the result of a direct and pressing business need, which means you will be responsible for delivering on real tasks or a project. This is exciting as it means you will get real and valuable experience of what it is like to work in a bank in the City of London.

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What happens during an internship?

Your internship will take place within a single department where you will have the opportunity to do useful work, make a genuine contribution to the team and learn about that business.

Objectives for your internship will be agreed with your line manager at the beginning of your internship and reviewed with you at the end. At your exit interview, we will discuss with you your future career plans and interest in working for WestLB. If you have had a successful internship, and your line manager recommends you for the graduate programme as you are entering your final year of study, we may fast track your graduate programme application.

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Will I be paid?

Yes, all WestLB internships are paid a competitive salary. You will also receive two days paid holiday for each completed month of service.

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When can I do an internship?

Most internships occur between May and October to coincide with UK university holidays. However, we do offer some internships all year round to coincide with European students’ vacation and work placement times.

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Where can I do an internship?

Internships are offered in both London and Düsseldorf. For UK internships, please apply on this website. For more information on internships in Düsseldorf, please click here.

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How long can I spend at WestLB?

Internships last from a minimum of ten weeks and for a maximum of six months.

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Can I do a one-year placement?

We currently do not offer 12 month internships.

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How many interns do you take on?

Every year, we take on between 20 and 40 interns, but this is dependent on business need.

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When should I apply?

For internships during summer 2008, we’re accepting applications between September 2007 and February 2008. Applications for internships will close on 28 February 2008.

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I’m not doing a maths, economics or business/finance degree. Can I still apply?

Yes. At WestLB we have a highly diverse culture. We are interested in people from all kinds of backgrounds, both educational and personal. Your degree subject isn’t as important to us as your personality and your attitude. Although, of course, we do require that you have an interest in financial markets, good commercial sense and good numeracy skills.

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I’m not from the UK, can I still do an internship in London?

We support full-time employees (including graduates) in their work permit applications. If you are from the EU or an EEA country, you have the right to work in the UK and can apply for an internship with us. If you do not have the right to work in the UK but are a full time student in the UK on a relevant student visa, you should be allowed to work 20 hours per week during term time, and full time during holidays. You can check whether your visa allows you to do this by contacting the Home Office - see their website www.homeoffice.gov.uk. If you are an overseas student and do not study in the UK, then you are welcome to apply for our graduate positions in your final year of study, but unfortunately, due to the short nature of internships, we are unable to secure a work permit for you.

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What’s the selection procedure?

Students must apply using our on-line application form. If you meet our criteria, your details will be circulated among the appropriate business areas and your application goes ‘on hold’, waiting for an internship opportunity to arise.

If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be interviewed by an HR Relationship Manager and a member of that relevant business. You will also take an ability test.

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What are the selection criteria?

You should be entitled to live, work or study in the UK, be in your penultimate year of study and available to work for at least 10 weeks consecutively. You should have at least 300 UCAS points in your A Levels (or equivalent) and be interested in a career in financial markets and in WestLB.

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Will you inform me if my application meets your selection criteria?

If your application meets our selection criteria, you will receive an email informing you that your application is ‘on hold’ while we identify a suitable position for you. Following this, you will receive a telephone call from WestLB’s graduate recruitment team inviting you for an interview.

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How quickly will you respond to my application?

Because of the specific nature of our intern programme and the fact that it is dependent on when real business opportunities arise, we cannot specify how quickly we will be able to offer interviews. However, as soon as a suitable opportunity arises, we will contact you.

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Do I need references?

Once a job offer has been made, we ask you for an academic reference, a personal reference and, if applicable, a reference from any organisations that you have been employed with, including details of your remuneration package. Offers of employment are subject to WestLB receiving suitable references, a satisfactory medical report from our Bank-appointed doctor and, in front office functions, a criminal record check.

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Do you help with accommodation?

We do not arrange accommodation for interns. However, we can assist your search by providing you with a list of recommended websites that can help you find a short term let in London. We also include a ‘Guide to London’ in your offer letter that details the entire rental process and explains the different local areas London has to offer.

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How should I prepare for my interview?

Preparation is the key to success. Do your research before you come. Familiarise yourself with WestLB and with investment banking. Be able to explain the products and services offered by WestLB.

Your research should start with our website and any recent press coverage. Read the financial press regularly so that you can talk knowledgeably on current financial issues. Be ready to discuss the current state of the markets, particularly those markets you’d like to work in.

Look smart. Personal presentation should be professional. First impressions matter!

Review your application. We’ll ask you about it. So refresh your memory before the interview. Make sure what you’ve written is clear in your mind and be prepared to elaborate on your answers. Try to use different examples in the interview to the ones you’ve already given in the application.

Lastly, know when and where the interview is and make sure you arrive with plenty of time to spare. Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes ahead of time. London transport is notoriously unreliable so allow for it. And if you’re unavoidably detained, it’s courteous to phone ahead to apologise and explain.

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If I get an internship this time, can I do another at a later date?

Of course. If you have a successful internship with us and would like to do another, we would support this if there is an appropriate opportunity. We can discuss this with you at your exit interview.

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