Welcome to the Chilli Pepper Global Blog

Everything you need to know to secure the right job and negotiate the highest salary in Investment Banking.


Step-by-step support from initial application to interview technique and final offer.

Showing posts with label banking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label banking. Show all posts

Tuesday, 15 February 2011

Outperform Your External Competition When Looking To Move Jobs Internally

“Opportunity dances with those who are already on the dance floor”

A majority of internal applicants believe that they have a greater chance of securing an internal role as they already have their foot in the door…think again!

It makes sense for an employer to recruit internally before they consider external candidates. Providing existing employees with new challenges or promotions is great for company morale and having a high retention rate is a great achievement for any business. Other factors to consider include utilising the existing talent of individuals who have already bought into the company. These people already understand the systems and processes and are familiar with the company culture and the vision of the organisation.

Why then do so many internal applicants feel disheartened when they are not offered the opportunity within?

I have listed 5 key points as to how you as an internal applicant can ensure that you become your company’s preferred choice when hiring:

1. Preparation - Internal applicants can sometimes forget that they need to prepare in the same way as they would for an external interview. It’s important that you update your CV with the most current information and don’t assume that because you work for the firm that the interviewer will know all about you. One of the most common mistakes made by an internal candidate is to hold back on information about their skills and experience.

2. Promote Yourself - Whilst it can feel awkward to sell yourself to someone that you already know or have worked alongside it’s important that you promote yourself in the same way that other applicants will be doing. Provide the same amount of detail as you would for any external role.

3. Don’t Assume - The interviewer doesn’t necessarily understand your role fully on the basis that they work for the company, ensure that you provide all the details and leave nothing out, by providing limited information you may cost yourself the opportunity

4. Presentation - Dress to impress regardless of dress policies within the organisation. Make an effort and show that you’re interested.

5. Networking - Is the role really what you want? Utilise your contacts by networking internally, speak to your peers within that team and find out more about the person who will be interviewing you, what do they expect from their staff, what are their values within the department.

Please note that it’s important that you ask questions and show that you are interested in the role, always send a thank you note or email regardless to how well you know the person. Be enthusiastic and don’t be afraid to ask for the job if that’s what you want!

Nikki Hutchison, founder of Chilli Pepper Global http://www.chillipepperglobal.com/ London City Interview Performance Mentor, advising you on every aspect of the job seeking process whether you are looking to move jobs internally or externally.

Thursday, 9 December 2010

Recession, a blessing in disguise?

A contingency plan…why would we possibly need a contingency plan???

I can honestly say that the recession of the early 1990’s had no effect on my life what so ever. My father a policeman and my mother a housewife with 4 children to support, always managed, and still do live within their means. Don’t get me wrong, as children we never went without and enjoyed holidays abroad every year, we would jump into the caravan, drive through France and spend 4 weeks on the coast in Spain.

I’m the eldest of four children and I have two sisters and one brother, my sisters both live in Perth, Australia and my brother in South London, my parents retired to Spain some years ago.

I’ve always been very independent and at the age of fifteen I secured a Saturday job at with a company called Bejams or now known as Iceland Frozen Foods.

I left school in 1990 to go to work at the age of 17 and I worked for Harrods, I worked long hours and weekends too and after a year I decided that I had better things to do at weekends and wanted a 9-5 job instead!

So…back in those days I hand wrote 100 letters, sent my CV to the City Banks and started my banking career with National Australia Bank and got a taste for City Life…

I bought a brand new car at the age of 18 and my first house by the time I was 20. Everything was great and a decade later I found myself self employed and running a successful City Recruitment Business with my husband and his business partner. Life couldn’t be better.

In early 2008, the builders had moved in and had started knocking through the back of our house as planned, the kids were in full time day nursery and business was great, why would we need a contingency plan?

And then it happened, overnight, totally unexpected Lehman Brother’s collapsed and the UK followed the US into a Global Recession. Business started to dry up very fast and so did the bank account, where was our contingency plan...that’s right, we didn’t have one!

So now, I’m 35 with 2 young children to support and a modest mortgage and lifestyle to maintain.

My world was starting to crack around me. Having no income for the first time in 20 years meant that I had to make some serious changes to my life.

I sat and hoped for months and do you know what happened? That’s right nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

My confidence had been knocked sideways, my self esteem was lower than low, so what did I do?

Firstly, I had to get back my CONFIDENCE and SELF BELIEF. I had to get back on the road to success. So I wrote down my goals and started to devise a plan

Secondly, I had to identify what it was that I LOVE about my job.

Thirdly, I had to stop making excuses, doing nothing and instead change my mindset and take ACTION.

It’s been hard, probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to deal with both physically and mentally.

We are all faced with challenges at some stage in our lives and with no work for over a year, 2009 for me was definitely a life changing experience although it took me almost a year to realize!

The recession has highlighted to me what’s important in my life, where I should focus my time and energies.

And although it’s been challenging at times the time I have spent with my children has been amazing, I’ve learnt so much about myself and wouldn’t change any part of the past couple of years.

Out of the recession I created my new business Chilli Pepper, mentoring individual’s through the job seeking process when looking to move internally with their existing employer or externally with a new employer.

I’ve embraced the change and feel a whole lot better for it!

As once said by Martin Luther King, Jr.

“The ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand in times of challenge and controversy.”

For me the recession was a blessing in disguise!

Nikki Hutchison, founder of Chilli Pepper Global http://www.chillipepperglobal.com/ advising you on every aspect of the job seeking process guiding you step by step whether you are looking to move internally or externally.

Friday, 3 December 2010

Will it always be a Man’s World?

“Some of us are becoming the men we wanted to marry!”

A couple of weeks ago I was very fortunate to be able to attend the 30th Anniversary of Women in Banking and Finance (WIBF) http://www.wibf.org.uk/ held at the House of Lords in Westminster. I listened with great interest to guest speaker and Patron, Baroness Fritichie who talked about a number of changes which have greatly improved the rights and status for women in the 21st century.

Did you know?
  • It was in 1973 that women were admitted onto the floors of the London Stock Exchange for the first time.
  • From 1975 it was made illegal to sack women for becoming pregnant.
  • Barbara Castle as Secretary of State for Employment introduced the Equal Pay bill which was enacted in 1975 together with the Sex Discrimination Act. This Act made it illegal to discriminate against women in employment, education and training.
  • In 1979 Margaret Thatcher became the first female Prime Minister.

The banking industry was soon to become one of the largest employers of women but still the number of women in senior managerial positions was less than 1%.

This figure has risen over the years and according to a recent article in the FT.com at 13.6% the UK has the sixth highest proportion of women at board level in Europe, however this figure accounts for just one woman on the board in 84% of British companies and only 17.5% have more than three so will this figure improve over the coming years?

The European Commission has warned this year that if companies did not move voluntarily to ensure gender balance on executive boards, it might force them to do so. Read the complete article http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5bbf3712-f0ec-11df-bf4b-00144feab49a.html#ixzz15Od8p6ws

Whilst it would seem that women have come a long way in a ‘Man’s World’ they still have a distance to go until they achieve equality.

Baroness Fritichie ended her speech with the following poem which she wrote about 15 years ago when she reflected on the life that she had intended to live!

Someday My Prince Will Come

Someday my prince will come they said when I was small.
Brave and true, kind and strong, handsome, dark and tall.
I’m only a woman doing my best, waiting for my turn.
Supporting, listening, smiling, nodding, and knowing I have much to learn.
Only men could do the tough stuff, telling others what to do.
I just ran the home, the kids, my job, filled the larder, cleaned the loo.
Along the way I met some stars, pretenders who didn’t tarry.
And then one day I realised I’d become the man I wanted to marry!
By Rennie Fritichie 1996

Nikki Hutchison, founder of Chilli Pepper Global http://www.chillipepperglobal.com/ advising you on every aspect of the job seeking process guiding you step by step whether you are looking to move internally or externally.

Wednesday, 24 November 2010

Can ENTHUSIASM really give you that edge over your competitors?

"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm."

What is enthusiasm? Enthusiasm is contagious. Getting excited. Being passionate. It’s one of those things that you know when you see it and other people know when you have it.

I have genuine enthusiasm and how do I know? Because I've been told over and over again and luckily for me this is something that comes natural, I'm an optimist and my glass is always half full and I'm also very passionate and get very excited about the people I choose to work with.

Over the years I've held and attended hundreds of meetings with my clients to include both employees and employers and I can't remember a single time when I've successfully assisted someone who lacked entusiasm either for the job they were hiring for or the job that they were interviewing. I can't help but to get excited for my clients and I firmly believe that YES, enthusiasm really can give you the edge over your competitors whether you are the potential employee or employer.

Enthusiasm + Passion = Rapport = Successful Professional Relationships

During an interview enthusiasm comes through in the way that you talk, your facial expressions, the way you dress and your posture.

Would you feel confident in the interviewer if they talked quietly, didn’t look you in the eye, had a weak handshake, didn't smile, slouched, and dressed like a slob?

Take a look at the following 5 techniques that will keep you focused and ensure that you come across oozing with the enthusiasm of a strong candidate whether you are looking to move internally with your existing employer or external with a new company:

1. Enthusiasm when you speak

By increasing the volume, the pitch, and the speed when you talk it will also improve your enthusiasm on the inside. Before an interview think of something you are enthusiastic about and keep this thought in your mind whenever you feel your enthusiasm is lacking.

2. Enthusiasm can become a habit

Ensure that you practice good interview habits to covey your enthusiasm to the interviewer by standing up straight, smiling, giving a firm handshake, and eye contact REMEMBER you have to believe in what you want to be enthusiastic about. If you don't believe in something, and you try to be enthused, you will come across to others as being phony. If you believe, your enthusiasm will be genuine.

3. Retaining enthusiasm in your job search

The longer you spend looking for work, the harder it can become to retain your enthusiasm for your job search. Whilst you can´t help feeling defeated at times after submitting dozens of applications and attending numerous interviews you need to find ways to motivate yourself, you have to find your inner passion again and again.

If you’ve been looking for work for a while then find an interest that you are passionate about. Even if your interest is not relevant to the job you are looking for then by spending time in the interests that you love will help give you the energy you need for your interviews

4. Retaining enthusiasm during the interview

If you no longer feel enthused with your answers or questions then the interviewer will also become bored senseless too! In each interview you need to find something to be enthusiastic about. It could be changing your answer or asking a different question. You need to show the interviewer how you will solve their problem by hiring you and above all you have to be enthusiastic about it!

5. Maintaining your enthusiasm

Before attending an interview read something that inspires you or watch a movie that gets your enthusiasm going.

Write out your goals and dreams. I have created a `Dream Chart´ with my 6 year old daughter, we’ve created a chart with pictures of things we want now and in the future. By visualising our goals and dreams each day we feel enthusiastic to take the appropriate action.

There are plenty of ways you can motivate your enthusiasm and they don’t always have to be difficult they can be simple too!

“Enthusiasm makes ordinary people extraordinary."

Nikki Hutchison, founder of Chilli Pepper Global http://www.chillipepperglobal.com/ advising you on every aspect of the job seeking process guiding you step by step whether you are looking to move internally or externally.

Friday, 10 September 2010

P is for...Practice

“When you are not practicing, remember, someone somewhere is practicing, and when you come up against that someone he/she will win”

Why is it that we practice certain skills in so many areas of our life? We practice our driving technique before we take a test, actors practice their lines before the actual take, expectant mothers practice childbirth before labour and Tennis Players practice their shots before a game.

And yet for some reason job seekers spend no time at all practicing for an interview?

I often hear from people that they didn’t have the time to practice for their all important job interview and if successful will enable them to work in a better role that will lead to a higher income and therefore a life with more choices and job satisfaction.

Unless a serial job hopper then you can assume that a majority of people haven’t interviewed for a while, sometimes 2 or 3 years or even more than 10 Years. Think back to when you were at school or university how much time did you spend practicing the answers for your exams? Did you receive the results you had hoped for or can you now own up after all these years and acknowledge that perhaps you didn’t practice enough?

Preparation = Practice and Practice = Preparation

Preparing for an interview is different from practicing for an interview however when time has been taken to do both they equal the same and enhance the interviewees chances of success.

“It takes a skill to interview and it takes practice to build a skill”

Taking the time to practice for an interview is essential for all job seekers. Below I have listed 5 different ways in which you can practice your interview skills:

1) STAR - Practice your stories by using the STAR technique, Situation or Task, Action and Result.

TIP
Take a sheet of A4 paper and divide it into 4 boxes. At the top of the page write a question for example “Tell me about a time when you have changed someone’s mind” in each of the 4 boxes place an S, T, A, R – each box will tell part of your story

What was the Situation or Task, be brief, two sentences will be acceptable
What Action(s) did you take and why did you take them
What were the Results for you and those around you and remember win/win

2) Record Yourself - Practice your interview answers by recording yourself until you feel confident with the answer you hear.

TIP
It may seem strange however try reciting a nursery rhyme at first for example Mary had a little lamb…and notice the difference in the way you project your voice after the third attempt

3) Mirror - Observe your body language and expressions by saying your answers out loud in front of a mirror

TIP
Even better use a webcam if you have one, you can buy one for less than £10!

4) Role Play – By role playing an interview situation it allows you to practice being your worst over and over again

TIP
Ask a friend / colleague to help you role play the interview and ask that person to listen, be honest and provide you with constructive feedback. Remember not to take feedback personally as others will hide their true thoughts

5) Telephone – arrange to call a friend / colleague the day before your interview, give them a list of 5-8 questions and ask them to give you a quick practice session

TIP
Practicing your answers to questions the day before an interview will help you to refresh your mind and can make a huge difference on the interview day

REMEMBER The interviewer will be preparing questions for you, do yourself justice and practice the answers!

Nikki Hutchison, founder of Chilli Pepper Global http://www.chillipepperglobal.com/ advising you on every aspect of the job seeking process guiding you step by step whether you are looking to move internally or externally.

Tuesday, 17 August 2010

E is for...Enthusiasm (Part One)

"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm."

What is enthusiasm? Enthusiasm is contagious. Getting excited. Being passionate. It’s one of those things that you know when you see it and other people know when you have it.

During an interview enthusiasm comes through in the way that you talk, your facial expressions, the way that you dress and your posture. Would you feel confident in the interviewer if they talked quietly, didn’t look you in the eye, had a weak handshake, didn't smile, slouched, and dressed like a slob?

Take a look at the following 5 techniques that will keep you focused to ensure that you come across oozing with the enthusiasm of a strong candidate whether you are looking to move internally with your existing employer or external with a new company:

1. Enthusiasm when you speak By increasing the volume, the pitch, and the speed when you talk it will also improve your enthusiasm on the inside. Before an interview think of something you are enthusiastic about and keep this thought in your mind whenever you feel your enthusiasm is lacking.

2. Enthusiasm can become a habit Ensure that you practice good interview habits to covey your enthusiasm to the interviewer by standing up straight, smiling, giving a firm handshake, and eye contact

REMEMBER you have to believe in what you want to be enthusiastic about. If you don't believe in something, and you try to be enthused, you will come across to others as being phony. If you believe, your enthusiasm will be genuine.

3. Enthusiasm in your job search The longer you spend looking for work, the harder it can become to retain your enthusiasm for your job search. Whilst you can´t help feeling defeated at times after submitting dozens of applications and attending numerous interviews you need to find ways to motivate yourself, you have to find your inner passion again and again.

If you’ve been looking for work for a while then find an interest that you are passionate about. Even if your interest is not relevant to the job you are looking for then by spending time in the interests that you love will help give you the energy you need for your interviews

4. Enthusiasm during the interview If you no longer feel enthused with your answers or questions then the interviewer will also become bored senseless too! In each interview you need to find something to be enthusiastic about. It could be changing your answer or asking a different question. You need to show the interviewer how you will solve their problem by hiring you and above all you have to be enthusiastic about it!

5. Maintaining your enthusiasm Before attending an interview read something that inspires you or watch a movie that gets your enthusiasm going.

Write out your goals and dreams. I have created a `Dream Chart´ with my 6 year old daughter, we’ve created a chart with pictures of things we want now and in the future. By visualising our goals and dreams each day we have enthusiasm to take the appropriate actions.

There are plenty of ways you can motivate your enthusiasm and they don’t always have to be difficult they can be simple too!

“Enthusiasm makes ordinary people extraordinary."

Nikki Hutchison, founder of Chilli Pepper Global http://www.chillipepperglobal.com/
advising you on every aspect of the job seeking process guiding you step by step whether you are looking to move internally with your existing employer or externally

Thursday, 11 February 2010

Everything you need to know

Based in the City of London¹s Square Mile Chilli Pepper Global is your route to the ideal city banking job.

That's because we put you in control by combining sector insight with practical advice in a way that will help you stand out from the crowd.

We'll take you through everything you need to know about representing yourself. And once you¹ve landed that all-important first interview we¹ll guide you through the interview process all the way to offer stage, coaching you on everything you need to secure that dream job.