Evan joined Macquarie in February 2005 after completing a BCom at Sydney University. He joined the risk management group which is an independent, centralised unit responsible for assessing and monitoring risks across Macquarie. Evan’s role focuses on the liquidity risk area, risk-managing the treasury funding desk, including setting and monitoring limits.
What was the application process?
It was a bit unusual in my case: I went through a number of interviews with different areas of the bank before I was invited for a risk-management interview and I got this job after just one interview. Macquarie said they knew they could utilise my skill set, they just weren’t sure for which role, and whilst the interview process was a lengthy one, it enabled the bank and myself to find the right fit for me and my skills.
What do they ask at interviews?
Mostly the questions are general and about yourself, your experience, why you want to work for the Bank and what you think you can bring to the organisation. They often pose a problem and ask how you would solve it, and want to know occasions when you’ve had to do something like face a difficult customer or work in a team. They’re interested in your answer but also in how you approach solving the problem, whether you can think on your feet.
What did you learn from so many interviews?
You must find out as much as you can about each division and reflect whether it would suit you. Many divisions are autonomous but in a group like risk management, you learn the machinery of the bank, how sectors fit together. It gives a coherent overview. If you know what a sector does and offers you in terms of knowledge and experience, it will help your interview.
What qualities was the bank looking for in the interview?
Risk management takes graduates with a diverse range of degrees – mathematics, engineering, accountancy and actuarial studies as well as finance. RM jobs need a certain personality type: you have to have the ability to say no to people, to be a fast learner, quick at analysis, quick to grasp and research problems. You have to trust your opinion and be able to stand up to others who don’t agree with it. In interviews for such a position, the bank is also seeking evidence of these abilities as well as your general fit and capacity.
Evan's tips:
- Be yourself: don’t try to be someone you’re not.
- Don’t say anything you don’t have to in the first few minutes: give yourself time to settle in.
- Have an idea of the questions you might be asked and be prepared, but don’t have scripted answers.
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