SEO London News

SEO Recruiting for Bain & Company Summer Workshop - Click here for more details of this exclusive opportunity!

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0200

As part of SEO’s partnership with Bain & Company, one of the world’s leading business consulting firms, we will be helping to recruit up to 20 undergraduates for an exclusive Summer Workshop programme at Bain’s London office this September. Those that impress will have the opportunity to secure graduate roles with the firm starting in 2013. If you are keen to be considered for this scheme please read on for more details on Bain’s Summer Workshop programme and how to apply. If you know others that might be interested in taking part please do pass on the information below.

About Bain & Company

For forty years Bain & Company has helped companies achieve excellence in their industries with fresh, cross industry perspectives. The firm advises global leaders on their most critical issues and opportunities: strategy, marketing, organization, operations, technology and mergers & acquisitions, across all industries and geographies.

Bain has worked with the majority of the world’s biggest companies (Globe 500/FTSE 100) as well as private equity funds representing 75 percent of global equity capital. The impact of their work is clear – for example Bain’s public clients have historically outperformed the stock market 4 to 1. As a place to work it is peer leading - Bain has been Consulting magazine’s “best firm to work for” for nine straight years.

Bain London is one of the oldest Bain offices, having been established in 1979 as the firm’s first venture outside of the United States. The London office work with executives from across the UK and Ireland. Their office is home to several global heads of the most important Bain practices, including strategy, organisation and results delivery as well as global and European sector heads for industrial goods & services, telecoms/technology/media and private equity (where they have advised on more than 50 per cent of larger European deals over the last 20 years). They have consistently scored highly on the Financial Times Best Places to Work survey.

For more information on the firm please visit http://bain.com/ or http://www.bain.com/offices/london/en_us/index.aspx.

About the Bain Summer Workshop

The Summer Workshop is a 3-day programme with a series of presentations and interactive strategy case studies presented by actual case teams from Partner to Associate Consultant (followed by group work).

This is the perfect opportunity for you to learn about:

What Bain does;
What strategy consulting involves;
What it’s really like to work at Bain (through the case studies and by getting to meet a wide variety of their employees at numerous social events organised over the course of the workshop).

Bain does not run a summer long internship platform for undergraduates so the workshop is the best way to get real insight into what it is like to work for a global leader in strategy consulting. Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be considered for a graduate position in Bain, with a view to start in autumn 2013. Moreover, should you decide to pursue other options the experience will add enormously to your CV and strengthen any future applications you might make to City firms or leading corporates.

Dates

The finalised dates for the workshop are 5th to 7th September 2012. Please note that if you are unable to attend on these dates you should still register your interest (by following the same steps in “How to apply” section below). Bain is likely to host an evening seminar at their London offices later in September for additional candidates.

Eligibility criteria

Penultimate-year undergrads who will be in the final year of full-time study in the academic year 2012-13.
- Final-year students are eligible if you have, or plan to have, confirmed Masters plans for 2012-13. (indent)
Academic excellence throughout A-levels and university exams to date.
- At university level this equates to being on track for (and already achieving) a 2.1 or better. (indent)
Demonstrated examples of leadership and initiative (e.g. society heads, sports team captains, etc.)
Foreign languages are a bonus.

*How to apply*

If you are interested in participating in the workshop, please follow the steps below. If you know someone who might be interested, please forward them this email – they do not need to have previously registered with or applied to SEO:

Email your most recent CV to consulting@seo-london.org. Please ensure this includes confirmed plans for the summer if they include relevant work experience or extra-curricular activities.
Fill in a one-minute quick survey using this link: http://seo-london.com/alumni/members/modules/bmsurvey/survey.php?name=Bain_2012_Summer_Workshop_Survey_1. This is purely for our records and not used to assess your application for this Bain opportunity. If you do not fill in this survey, your application will not be considered.

Please complete the above latest by Monday, 28^th May 2012 in order to be considered for this opportunity. SEO will follow up to confirm next steps on your application soon after.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Careers in the Creative Space - Express interest in the SEO Creative Access Programme NOW!

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0200

SEO is delighted to be working with a new charity, Creative Access, established in 2012 to provide opportunites for paid internships in the creative industries for young people from under-represented black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. The industries covered include FILM, ADVERTISING, PERFORMING ARTS, PUBLISHING, JOURNALISM, TV and RADIO. The scheme is being sponsored by the CEOs of many of the UK’s leaders in these fields (including ITV, Channel 4, Wall to Wall, HarperCollins, All3Media, Studio Lambert, Shine, Fresh One, Somethin' Else, Two Four Media, Juniper TV, Mentorn etc) and will offer more than 300 internships / graduate roles in 2012-13.

Expressing interest in the programme (a simple 2 step process provided below that should take no more than 5 minutes to complete), will give you access to:

1) More than 300 internships / graduate roles in the creative industries in 2012 - 2013. If you are selected for interviews with Creative Access partners, SEO will provide you with detailed preparation including mock interviews.

2) Networking and information sessions covering all of the creative industries detailed above to better educate you about the realities of working in these industries. Career advice will be provided by many of the leading names in these industries, many of whom are from ethnic minority backgrounds.

All students that secure a position through Creative Access will additionally be provided with a senior creative industry mentor as well as a comprehensive training programme to ensure you can impress.

Next steps

If you are interested in this programme, please do the following:

1. Fill in this survey - http://seo-london.com/alumni/members/modules/bmsurvey/survey.php?name=SEO_CA_interest (Please ensure that you copy and paste the entire link into your browser as opposed to just clicking on it. Upon submission, you will be directed to the SEO Homepage.)

2. Send in an updated version of your CV to creativeaccess@seo-london.org with the title "SEO Creative Acess - Interest" (Please ensure that your A-levels are listed with their grades e.g. Maths (A), English (A) etc)

Eligibility – the scheme is open to all ethnic minorities that are either current undergraduates or have recently graduated. Those who will be completing internships through any of SEO’s other industry programmes this year are very welcome to take part.

If you know of others that may be interested in attending or taking part in the scheme that have not previously applied to SEO, please pass on this email to them.

SEO First Year Fast Track Success - more than 220 SEO First Year Fast Trackers secure internships with SEO partner firms this Spring!

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0200

SEO London’s First Year Fast Track (FYFT) programmes for outstanding first year university students had its most successful year in 2012, with more than 300 students being selected to take part in one of our industry streams (1) Investment Banking, (2) Corporate Law and (3) Professional Services.

Students were given a comprehensive insight into the different types of graduate careers available in these industries and had the opportunity to take part in interactive training sessions from some of the most senior bankers, lawyers and consultants in the City. Notable trainers included:

Michael Nartey, Head of ABS Sales Europe, Barclays Capital
Malcolm Horton, Managing Director (Head of European Graduate Recruitment and Programmes), Nomura
Paul Stephenson, Partner (Audit), Deloitte
David Carter, Corporate Partner (Private Equity), Ashurst
Barry Fishley, Corporate Partner (IP), Weil, Gotshal & Manges

At the end of each event students also had an opportunity to meet with SEO alumni now working with SEO partner firms as well as other representatives from different businesses and recruitment.

As well as great learning experience the SEO First Year Fast Track is designed to ensure as many participants as possible go on to secure fantastic work experience with the City’s best firms. Of those that took part in SEO FYFT training and networking days at Barclays Capital, Nomura, Linklaters and Deloitte, more than 220 have gone on to be selected for highly competitive first year spring and summer insight programmes with more than 20 SEO corporate partners. Those firms include Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Barclays Capital, Linklaters, Freshfields, Herbert Smith, Simmons & Simmons, Ernst & Young, Deloitte and PwC.

Feedback from those attended has been suitably positive:

“The two day programme led by SEO London is definitely one of the best programmes I have ever attended. I initially didn’t know much about investment banking, but this programme has not only enabled me to gain a deeper insight into the industry but has also helped me understand which divisions are suitable for me. Attending presentations led by the top firms in the industry allowed me to realise how they work on a daily basis and what they actually do. The programme gave an opportunity of a lifetime as it is not every day that I am exposed to so many managing directors in two days! Overall, I would recommend the First Year Fast Track programme to every single person in their first year of university. It is an incredible programme which has taught me an immense amount in a short amount of time!”

Ria Shah, SEO First Year Investment Banking Class 2012, Queen Mary University. Ria was subsequently offered a Spring placement with HSBC Investment Bank (Global Banking and Markets).

“I was deeply impressed with the level of investment that SEO and its partner firms invested in the FYFT event, I came away from the event with a much more open mind, a better understanding of what investment banks are looking for in their employees and an expanded network of city professionals. Apply for SEO and you have just opened a window of opportunities.”

Adeniran Olanipekun,SEO First Year Investment Banking Class 2012, Imperial College London. Adeniran was subsequently offered a Spring placement with Barclays Capital.

“After attending the SEO FYFT event I am able to make an informed decision about what I want to do with my career and how to get to where I want to go. SEO definitely gives you a head start over your peers with the inside information about what each career entails and what employers want! Knowledge is power and I now feel that I know how to manipulate my skills to get far in a career in banking that suits me most. I would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to be a part of SEO to not give it a second thought and JUST DO IT! The information I have gotten is priceless and I have met some very inspiring people in these two days who have solidified my view that as long as you have the right skills and attitude, no doors will be closed to you if you have the ability to succeed."

Linda Esilaba, SEO First Year Investment Banking Class 2012, Loughborough University. Linda was subsequently offered a Spring placement with Goldman Sachs.

“It is very unique, as there are very limited events where you will find some of the biggest Law firms together in one building, selling their areas of expertise to young undergraduates. It is also a unique opportunity to question these legal experts about their journey from undergraduates to city lawyers - very inspiring.”

Opemipo Akisanya, SEO First Year Corporate Law Class 2012. Opemipo was subsequently offered a Spring placement with Simmons & Simmons.

“I was extremely lucky to come across the SEO First Year Fast Track programme in the first place and in terms of my career, this event may have changed my life! The event consisted of several different division overviews and these were presented with the utmost clarity from those who actually work within those sectors. Many of these sessions were interactive and thought provoking and my attendance to this prestigious event has subsequently improved my confidence, inter-personal skills and my networking skills have come a long way. Coming to the event, consulting was the only thing on my mind however after attending the First Year Fast Track event for Professional Services, there was such a multitude of information about Audit & Assurance, Tax, Consulting and Corporate Finance which has made me consider other sectors besides Consulting. This event has been nothing short of amazing and I would advise any ethnic minority with an interest in the City to apply for this. The opportunity to enter dialogue with your peers, SEO alumni and industry leaders is such a precious and rare event that I feel privileged that SEO London allowed me to experience this opportunity.”

Jonathan Boateng, SEO First Year Professional Services Class 2012, Leeds University. Jonathan was subsequently offered places on the Insight Academy with PriceWaterhouseCoopers and the Leadership Academy with Ernst & Young.

Just missed the SEO application deadline?

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0200

The formal deadlines have now passed for some of our summer intern programmes, including Investment Banking and Professional Services. We will still be accepting applications for both internships and graduate roles in these areas but your progression to interview will be subject to how many positions are still open. As always the sooner you apply the better your chances of securing a place!

For our other programmes, including Corporate Law, Advertising and Advertising, the application deadline is 31^st December.

Make your first year of university count… Start your journey to a successful career in the City NOW!

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0200

Are you a first year student (or a second year on a four year course) interested in learning more about career options in the City and potentially being fast tracked for the most competitive and rewarding internship programmes available? This year, SEO will be hosting three First Year Fast Track (‘FYFT’) Programmes across Investment Banking, Corporate Law and Professional Services. Those selected to attend will also be fast tracked for further work experience opportunities with one or more of our 35 partner financial service firms.

The Investment Banking FYFT will be held this December, and the Corporate Law and Professional Services FYFTs in January. To find out more about these opportunities, please click here.

The application deadlines for the programme are as follows:
First Year Fast Track (Investment Banking): 20 November 2011
First Year Fast Track (Corporate Law): 31 December 2011
First Year Fast Track (Professional Services): 31 December 2011

To apply, please click here.

Just heard about SEO? Application deadlines extended for all programmes!

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0200

The application deadlines for most SEO Programmes have now been extended:

First Year Fast Track (Investment Banking) – 20 November 2011
First Year Fast Track (Corporate Law) – 15 December 2011
First Year Fast Track (Professional Services) - 15 December 2011
Professional Services – 18 December 2011
Investment Banking – 18 December 2011
Corporate Law – 18 December 2011
Technology – 18 December 2011
Corporates – 30 November 2011
Advertising & Marketing – 31 December 2011

Please don’t wait to apply, applications are reviewed and actioned as soon as they are submitted. To apply now, please click here.

With one application to SEO, students can benefit from access to the wide range of the City and Creative industry programmes we offer and the 35+ firms we work with. As a result of SEO’s exclusive training, mentoring and networking programmes, 80% of SEO’s 1,850+ alumni have gone on to secure full-time graduate positions with partner firms at the end of their placement, a success rate well ahead of the industry average.

For a copy of a sample CV and cover letter and other useful application tips for our different programmes please click here.

We look forward to reviewing your application!

Struggling to construct a strong CV? SEO reveals it all at our regional SUPRA events!

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0200

SEO will be holding a regional SUPRA Event in London, Birmingham and Manchester where we will be delivering a few skills sessions such as; “How to Write a Great CV/Cover Letter”, “How To Standout in an Interview” and “Effective networking”.

If you would like to attend, please use the link below to register your interest. Places are allocated on a first come first serve basis, and you will receive a separate email to confirm your attendance to the event a 4-5 days prior to the event. Please note you should not wait to attend this event to get your application in, the sooner it is submitted the better for you.

Dates and locations of supra events: 24th October (London), 25th October (Manchester), TBC (Birmingham), TBC but likely to be 27th October (London female only)

http://seo-london.com/alumni/members/modules/bmsurvey/survey.php?name=seo_london_CV_and_application_workshop_2012

We look forward to meeting you!

Sign up and join our mailing list

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0200

By joining our mailing list, you will be notified of upcoming campus events, application deadlines, SEO news, and advance notification of SEO London alumni and team visits to your area. Please take a minute to complete the following survey to receive news about SEO.

We look forward to meeting you on campus!

SEO is recruiting on the road - check out when they are visiting your campus!

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200

In 2011-12 SEO will provide more than 750 internships and graduate opportunities with 35+ of the UK’s best graduate employers for students in every year of study. SEO now provides opportunities for undergraduates in ALL years of study.

We invite you to join us to learn more about the various opportunities we offer, along with CV and application support for the competitive industries that we recruit for. Too find out when we will be visiting your campus, please refer to our key dates.

Follow SEO on Social Media

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200

SEO London is now on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn so that we can better connect with potential SEO candidates, current SEO classes and our alumni communities. Please join us to stay up to date with what we are up to and how we can help you.

If you are an SEO alumni, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Also we now have SEO Connect on Twitter.

SEO recruits more talent to join the team!

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200

The SEO London is growing, below are the new additions to the team

Uche Ezichi joined SEO in August 2011 as a programme manager and will be managing the Investment Banking programme, with specific responsibility IBD, AM, PWM and Technology.

Naomi Jane joined SEO in July 2011 as a programme manager and will be managing the new SEO London Scholar’s programme.

Shakira Giwa joined SEO in June 2011 as a programme coordinator and will be coordinating our efforts in SEO Connect.

Audrey Chirochangu joined SEO in August 2011 as a programme coordinator and will be coordinating the Investment Banking and Professional Services programme.

Edith Chui joined SEO in September 2011 as a programme manager and will be managing the Professional Services programme.

Please review their full profile on here.

Kick start your career with one click - Apply now!

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200

To apply for the SEO London 2012 Investment Banking, Technology, Corporate Law, Professional Services, Corporates, Advertising & Marketing programmes, or First Year Fast Track, please click here. Applications are screened on a rolling basis.

Please note: If you are applying for the Summer Programmes you will be required to submit a reference from a university tutor. To ensure that your application is not delayed please note that you are able to submit it BEFORE you receive your tutor's reference (this can be uploaded electronically by your tutor by 30 November 2011.) However it remains your responsibility to ensure that your reference is submitted at the earliest convenience.

Please refer to our online resources to support you in making a strong application.

SEO enters the creative space!

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0200

Are you interested in a more creative field? SEO is partnering with the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) and its 250+ member agencies to help better educate students from under-represented ethnic backgrounds about the career options in the creative, digital and media industries. SEO and the IPA will be conducting training and networking events throughout 2012 to provide students with access to both many of the leading agencies and also practical experience of the wide variety of work and graduate roles available in the advertising industry. Those that impress will be considered for internships (including the IPA Summer School) and graduate opportunities with leading agencies

More firms joining for 2012, more opportunities for you!

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0200

In line with the on-going success of SEO, whereby more than 80% of those who undergo the program go on to receive graduate positions with partner firms, SEO is now expanding the industry coverage to recruit for business areas within multinational Corporates and Advertising & Marketing. Partner firms include FactSet, Novartis, Procter & Gamble and the IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising).

For more information on SEO Corporates, click here

For more information on SEO Advertising & Marketing Communications and the IPA, click here

Another successful year for SEO

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0200

In 2011, SEO helped 520 undergraduates secure internships and graduate roles with 31 partner firms including:

Goldman Sachs - 52 SEO supported summer analyst interns, more than 1 in 8 of the firm’s entire analyst intern class size.
Ernst & Young - 42 SEO supported summer interns.
Linklaters - 11 SEO supported vacation scheme students, 1 in 6 of the firm’s entire vacation scheme

SEO is also proud to announce for a second year running, 95% of the SEO's professional services class have successfully converted their internship into a graduate offer. Across all of the other programmes, 83% have secured a full time graduate offer with our partner firms.

RARE – A Correction

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0200

Rare – A Correction. Our last newsletter to SEO alumni included some remarks regarding Rare Recruitment Limited in response to comments we had received from alumni and students. This email contained remarks which SEO now understands incorrectly reflect Rare’s practices, and SEO wishes to make the following corrections to set the record straight.

Both SEO and Rare believe passionately in the importance of diversity and are proud of the difference our respective organisations make to the lives of many students from diverse backgrounds. We are therefore happy to make the following corrections to dispel any confusion.