Career Diversity

By: GottaMentor.com





QUESTION
Can you give me an example of a time when you failed?

Weak Answer
During my internship last summer, my manager asked me to analyze the attractiveness of launching a new sales channel for our product line that would complement our existing sales efforts, and then present it to the functional heads of our group. I gathered all the data I could internally and externally as quickly as I could to meet an aggressive timeline my manager gave me. I did a thorough analysis of the profitability of our current sales channels and the potential incremental revenues, costs and implementation issues associated with the new venture. When I presented what was a really rigorous analysis and set of recommendations, the sales director (who was not my manager) challenged every assumption I made, hammered me for not understanding the people issues well enough, and turned what should have been a big win for me into an unexpected setback. I kept hoping that my manager would come to my defense in the meeting, especially after she gave me such a short timeframe to finish the work, but she never did.

Strong Answer

I should have foreseen that presenting data showing that the sales director could be managing his existing channels more profitably could create problems that even my boss might not be able to solve during the meeting. I should have found the time to pre-wire the sales director and position my recommendations in a way that would have gotten his support in the meeting. I learned that no matter how sound your analysis may be, what is often as important are the qualitative people issues that are critical to getting support for your recommendations.

Commentary
There are four keys to answering questions about failures, setbacks or weaknesses:

1. Provide legitimate examples of failures, rather than veiled attempts at communicating how good you are (e.g. The classic “I am a perfectionist” answer to the question “what are your weaknesses?”) The examples you use should clearly communicate that you did something that contributed directly to the failure and were accountable for it, rather than leave doubt as to whose fault it was.

2. Communicate what you learned from the situation and how you will handle it differently going forward

3. Communicate why it is relevant - how learning that lesson has made you a better person/ professional.

4. Include just the right level of detail about the example so the audience understands the situation clearly but does not get distracted by too many details. Do not waste time sharing all the details about what happened, as what really matters is what you learned from it.

$5,000 Credit Suisse Douglas L. Paul Scholarship & Internship for Sophomores


Scholarship Program Overview

■ $5,000 scholarship towards tuition and / or expenses
■ Opportunity to participate in Credit Suisse's 10-week rotational program
■ Mentoring by junior and senior professionals at Credit Suisse

Eligibility Requirements

Students must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credits per semester) at an accredited
four-year college and be a sophomore during the application process. Students with
strong academic achievement, majoring in any discipline(s), are encouraged to apply.

■ Demonstrate leadership and teamwork
■ Active community involvement
■ A cumulative minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
■ An interest in the financial services industry

Applications must include the following:

■ All official undergraduate transcripts
■ Current resume
■ Two essays (no more than 500 words each)
■ Completed application, including signature of applicant

To request an application please email ba.recruiting@credit-suisse.com
Completed applications must be received by November 27, 2009, for consideration

Selection Process
■ Applicants will be notified of interviews by mid-December 2009.
■ Winning scholars will be notified by mid-January 2010.

UBS - President's Summer Internship Program


Overview
The President’s Summer Internship Program is a 10-week intensive rotation through multiple business areas of UBS. At the
conclusion of the program you will understand how an Investment Bank operates enabling you to clearly identify where your
preferred areas of interest may lie. This experience will provide you with an unparalleled platform for your career in financial
services. Your exposure will include (but will not be limited to) the following divisions:

• Office of the COO
• Equities
  
• Fixed Income
• Operations
• Global Technology
  
• Investment Banking
  
• Wealth Management
  

The President’s Summer Internship Program is available to sophomores who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, possess strong analytical skills and are enthusiastic about the financial services industry.
Details

• Location: Stamford, CT
• Dates: June thru August
• Structure: Rotational across business and logistics areas

Introduction to UBS: Financial Markets Education, Presentation Skills, Excel Training
Senior Speaker Series, Networking Events, Community Service
“Apprentice Week”: End of summer project & case study presented to Senior Management
Eligibility Criteria

• Currently enrolled as a Sophomore
• Minimum 3.4 GPA
• All majors welcome to apply! (via Resume and Essay submission)
  

Interested candidates should apply at www.ubs.com/graduates by Friday, January 8, 2010. Please enter job reference #
0376BR in the keyword field of the search page.

Selection Process
All candidates will be notified of their status by early April.
If you have any questions, please e-mail diversityrecruiting@ubs.com including in the subject line ‘The President’s Summer
Internship Program’.”
It starts with you: www.ubs.com/graduates

A Taste of L'oreal MBA is a unique recruitment weekend event for 1st year MBA's interested in a career in Brand Management. Over the course of the weekend you will have the chance to meet with senior marketing executives, participate in a brand management workshop, network with Human Resources and marketing professionals, and interview for a position in our 2010 summer internship program.

Application Process and Timeline

1. Registration Deadline is Monday, November 30th at twelve midnight
2. All applications will be reviewed and all students will be notified by December 21st of a decision
3. To be considered, you must be able to commit to and be available all day Friday, January 22nd through Sunday, January 24th for the events and travel.

>>>Apply Here