Eligibility Questions
Q: I do not currently study computer science / information systems or a technology-related degree course. Am I still eligible to apply?
A: Yes you may still apply but you should have and be able to demonstrate a strong interest in technology and a willingness to learn.
Q: Is knowledge of a programming language a requirement?
A: No, this is not a requirement but knowledge of programming languages (i.e. C++, Java, etc) is recommended.
Q: I am a final year student - may I still apply to SEO-London?
A: Yes. The SEO programme is now open for both penultimate AND final year students. If you are a final year student completing all full time education in 2012, you can apply for graduate roles. If you are a penultimate year student or a final year student intending on pursuing a Masters programme for 2012-13, you can apply for summer internships and industrial placements. Please note that if you are a final year student applying for internships you will need to confirm which master’s programme you are considering when you apply. If you are offered a place on the programme, you will need to provide confirmation of your applications for master’s programmes. Before your internship begins you may need to provide us with a copy of your acceptance letter. Applicants for the one year industrial placement should be enrolled in a sandwich-course allowing for one year’s work experience between their penultimate and final years of study.
Q: What is SEO London's grade requirement?
A: SEO's minimum grade requirement for the Technology programme is equivalent to 'CCC' at A-level and a second upper class (2.1) expected at university. If you are applying for Technology consulting firms, the minimum grade requirement is 340 UCAS points.
Q: I did not achieve CCC equivalent at A-level and/or am not on track for a 1st/2.1 at university. Can I still apply to SEO London?
A: Applicants who do not achieve a minimum of CCC at A-level or who are not on track for a 1st/2.1 at university will generally not be considered unless there are mitigating circumstances (e.g. medical issues, for which the applicant would have to provide official documentation).
Q: I am an international student who is not studying in the UK at present - can I apply?
A: To be eligible to apply you must have studied within the UK for at least one year and must also be available in person for one of our London assessment centres (held in January and February). All international applicants should be intending to start their careers in London after graduation and remain for at least three years.
Q: I have made a past application to SEO in previous years. Can I still apply for this year’s class?
A: Yes, you are eligible to apply again but you must meet our eligibility criteria and complete a new application. You will need to create a NEW account using a different email address to the one that you used previously.
Q: I have made an application to SEO London; am I also eligible to apply to SEO USA?
A: Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. Please see www.seo-usa.org.
Q: I have made an application to SEO USA; am I also eligible to apply to SEO London?
A: Yes, as long as you meet our eligibility criteria. You must have studied or be planning to study in the UK for at least one year and you must also be available in person for one of our London assessment centres (held in January and February). You should also be aware of the key dates and make sure these dates complement your own schedule if you will be studying outside the UK.
Application Questions
Q: When is the deadline (for both the application and the letter of recommendation)?
A: The deadline for the application is 31 December 2011. For the letter of recommendation, the deadline is 31 December 2011. We recommend that you apply as soon as possible as places on the SEO programme are filled on a rolling basis. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that your recommendation provider submits the recommendation letter before the deadline – applications will not be considered without a recommendation letter from a current academic tutor.
Q: To whom should I address my cover letter?
A: You should address your covering letter to Hason Sandhu (Managing Director).
Q: A significant portion of my education has taken place outside of the UK. How do you advise that I fill out the education portion of the application?
A: You should fill out the application as best you can with the international equivalent for each academic qualification. If you are unable to do this please mention so and detail the information on your CV so that we know to refer to that.
Q: I have only applied to a few banks directly at this point, but I plan to apply to more in the next few weeks. Should I include the banks to which I plan to apply on the SEO application?
A: Yes.
Q: When I apply to SEO London, is my application sent to the sponsor banks?
A: No. When you apply to SEO London, your SEO application is only for our office and we do not pass this through to our sponsor banks. If you wish to make applications to our sponsor banks then you must do so directly. However, if you are successful in the SEO process, the final stage will involve sending your CV to our partner firms.
Q: My CV is longer than one page for XXX reason, what should I do?
A: You should submit a one page CV with your SEO application. If for XXX reason you need to submit a longer CV, please be aware that if you are successful in being offered a place on the SEO programme, you would then need to update your CV to be no longer than one page. You should try and cut your CV down appropriately, please use the sample CVs as a guide to the type of layout and things you should be including.
Q. When will I hear back about the status of my application?
A: You can expect to hear back within 4- 6 weeks.
Q: What happens after I submit my application?
A: After you submit your application, there are three rounds of assessment. The first is the screening of your application form. If you are successful through this, the second stage will be a short telephone/in person interview. Following this, the third and final round of assessment will be an online numerical and in person programming aptitude test. If you are successful with the tests you will proceed to the final stage of the SEO process, which is the recommendation stage.
Q: What happens if I am successful to the final stage (recommendation stage)?
A: If you are told by SEO that you have made it to the final recommendation stage of the SEO assessment process, this means that your CV and reference letter will be sent to our partner firms for review. Partner firms will then decide who they would like to call through to interview. We will be indicating to the partner firms that they can either reach out to you directly or they can contact SEO and we will get in touch with you regarding next steps. If you are contacted directly, you should let SEO know as SEO will provide you with materials and coaching for your interviews.
Q: If I am recommended will I have to go through the entire firm direct process?
A: Those that are called through to interview will be (in some cases) fast tracked to final round assessment stages. However, each firm will have their individual processes, but SEO will provide plenty of support and guidance with these interview stages.
Reference Questions
Q: Who should provide my letter of recommendation?
A: Recommendations must be provided by a current academic lecturer or tutor (i.e. not a sixth form teacher or former / current employer) who can comment on your academic record.
Q: Can my recommendation provider submit my recommendations via e-mail?
A: The recommendation cannot be submitted to SEO via email as it would not be official but they can use the online system to submit references in soft copy. If your provider is unable to complete the letter online via the application system he/she should alternatively post it to us directly and on official university letterhead.
Q: I would like to add an additional letter of reference or change my referee, but I have already submitted my application. What do I do?
A: In this case, please ask your referee to send a hardcopy (in university headed paper) by post. Please address it to SEO London, 52 - 54 High Holborn, London WC1V 6RL. This will be updated on the system within 1-2 weeks upon receipt.
Q: How will I know if SEO London has received my letter of reference?
A: You will be able to go back into your application and check that the letter has been submitted by using your PIN. You are also able to send a reminder to the provider through your application if you think too much time has passed and you want to ensure that it is sent. **Once your application says the reference has been submitted, please take this as confirmation that we have it stored in our system.** SEO London views the same screen that you view, so it does not help you to call us to confirm whether your reference has been received.
Technical Problems/Questions
Q: I lost my PIN. Can you look it up for me?
A: No. You should go onto the application website and request that your PIN be sent to you (press the search button). If this fails you need to contact technical support via the website. SEO outsources the application technology, so we do not retain this type of information at the SEO office.
Application Strategy Questions & Tips from SEO London
Q: Should I make applications directly to the banks as well? Will this help or hurt my chances of getting an internship in an investment bank this summer?
A: SEO encourages you to make applications directly to the banks that most interest you. Please keep a few factors in mind as you devise your application strategy:
- SEO will not be able to place you in any bank where your direct application has been rejected.
- We would therefore advise you to pay close attention to the screening criteria that a bank details for those interested in applying (in particular, the academic grades required at A-level, university, etc.). Given the extremely high number of internship applications most banks receive, these grade requirements can often be very high and therefore result in your application being automatically rejected if you do not meet them.
- We always recommend that you make direct applications in addition to your SEO application to make sure you maximise your chances of gaining an internship.
Q: What should I do to improve my chances of being accepted into the SEO London Internship Programme and/or directly to an investment bank?
A: We have compiled a packet of resources that contains detailed information about what you need to do to prepare for applications and interviews to SEO and to investment banks
