Towers Watson Assessment Centre

UPDATED:

For those interested, here is a brief overview of my experience at the Towers Watson Assessment Centre (Investment Consulting, Reigate).

Length: Around 6 hours

Tasks:

- Presentation: a 10 minute presentation on a somewhat technical topic (whether 2008 crisis showed investment diversification to be futile) followed by around 10 minutes of questions (on doing the presentation, rather than on the topic itself, although there were some technical questions, e.g. what determines exposure to risk)

- Interview: a 35-45 minute interview, primarily about your past experiences (a mixture of a CV walk-through and competency interview), but there were a few technical questions (e.g. where would you expect a pension fund to invest most of its portfolio).

- Repetition of the online test: 20 minutes. This is done on paper and is pretty much your standard SHL test. The questions are different from that ones I have seen online (I've done so many of them that I noticed that they recycle the same 60-80 questions). No surprises here. If you did your own tests online, then this is the most relaxing part of the process.

- Role playing: 25 minutes to read documents describing a situation and some financial data. In this case, it was a meeting with a client who was unhappy with the advice that your company (a procurement consultancy) gave them last year. You are meant to look at the limited data, then meet with the client (15 minutes) and address his concerns and get some more data out of him. Followed by a 30 minute write-up on recommending the new course of actions.

- Group exercise: 30 minutes to come up with an advice for a TV channel on how to structure its new schedule. You have to make 3 recommendations based on the discussions in the group.

- Lunch and meeting with new analysts - very informal and relaxing.

Overall, the day was quite long as a result of a lot of breaks in between the tasks. However, the company representatives were very good at making you feel relaxed and it was fun to get to know other candidates.

Thanks for the advice, were you successful?

Hey guys I have an assessment for Inv consulting in Dublin. Not sure if anyone else around here has one over there?

@amik - Thanks for the great post. Could you possibly remember the exact questions and what sort of competencies they were focussing on. Also what did you conclude for the presentation topic? Yes or no or in between ? Any resource guidance would be helpful!

Would really appreciate your feedback. I just received my assessment centre invitation for the 23th so have to really cram in all my work. Thanks alot

Also if anyone else has any feedback to give then please do!

Hey,

   I am afraid I forgot most of the questions and I don't think that they are the same for everyone tbh. My interviewer started by asking me to tell her about myself, wherein I was supposed to convince her that I am suitable for the job and that everything in my life has been leading to this point. I think that because I come from social sciences background I was given a number of technical questions. E.g, where would a pension fund invest its money (stocks and bonds), what are the risks faced by pension funds (longevity, interest rates, inflation). The interview was quite easy actually and if you passed the first round, you should be fine here.

   For the presentation I argued that diversification can not address systemic risks, only specific risks, and that the financial crisis was a realization of a systemic risk. I initially went through the background of the crisis, then talked about what diversification was and how it worked, then linked the two to show that it was never supposed to work in times like the crisis. I concluded by saying that it is rather stupid to suggest that it no longer does what it's suppose to do and the people who are saying that are those who were lulled into the feeling of financial safety from years of economic growth. 

   Don't worry about the content of the presentation so much, they have heard it all before and as long as it is not obviously wrong, you will be fine in terms of content

.
Good luck!

A.

PS: yes, I got an offer.

Thank you very much for the prompt reply and congratulations on receiving the offer. Its a difficult position so you've certainly done well and your posts have been extremely helpful. Best of luck with the future and hope it all goes well from here!

Hi

I have an assessment centre for towers watson next week in benefits and i'm really nervous. Anyone any ideas what I should expect - mainly what questions that i'm going to get asked that aren't your usual "about the company" or competency

Hi Pink Penguin,

How did your Assessment centre go?
I am having mine next week.
Do you have any tips for the assessment centre? particularly the interview?
Thanks.

sj123,

Which assessment centre are you going to next week? (business line/location?)

best of luck!

hey emsey,

Thanks

benefits - edinburgh..

you having any assessment centre?
any tips?

hey i've got assesement centre next week for benefits in birmingham, does anyone who has done it know how much technical information they expect you to know? is a lot asked in the interview? how much do they expect you to know about pensions etc, and is that the topic of the group discussions?

thanks

waiting on a/c date at the moment.

how much notice did they give you before yours?

Hey emsey,

i was notified 1 week before my a/c

good luck to you!

hey sj123, how was your assessment centre? did you have to prepare a presentation? i was wondering as i've read elsewhere a lot of people had to but i haven't been given any notice of having to do it so now am hoping it's not part of the AC, otherwise i'll have nothing to present at all!

Hey Vicky,

   Just to throw my 2 cents in - I wasn't told about the presentation either and knew about it only because of reading wikijobs. I called recruitment a few days before the AC and asked about the presentation, they said it will be sent out when they decide. I got the presentation a few hours later which made me think that they just forgot about me, but apparently (this was somewhat confirmed during my AC and during the partner interview) they give some people a lot of time to prepare and some people less (no idea how they decide who gets how much time). I wouldn't worry about it and just call recruitment and ask whether there is a presentation and what the topics is. You will most likely be asked after the presentation how much time you had to prepare it. Good luck!

A.

hey thanks for that, i have my AC tomorrow so was getting very worried! i sent an email asking but also just got an answerphone message for recruitment but they said they'd call me back when i rang back so i guess i'll just ask then, i hope it's nothing too complicated as i've only got today and i wanted to send most of the day doing interview prep! scary times. any adivce you might have? and for the group discussion, what do you think i could do to prepare? am i right in thinking it'll be to do with the services they offer? thanks for you help

also for technical questions, were they just based on pensions? it is just general stuff like where they invest funds and what affects them? will they want to know current news?
im having trouble accessing my online application too it doesn't recognise my email address although it is the one which they sent all my interview and AC details to, but i guess maybe its because i started and finished it on the WW website before the merger? i have parts of my application saved on my computer but i really want to access my account, did anyone else have trouble with this? i asked after my telephone interview and i was told i would be emailed about it but nothing as of yet!

Hey,

   Just to clarify, I went through an AC for investment consulting and although I am sure that they are the same/very similar for most lines, keep in mind that it might be different in some aspects for other lines. In regards to the group discussions... I always found those the easiest since most people who I have done them with have had very little experience in group work before and it was pretty easy to become the facilitator (not leader) and a participant. Here are some rather lengthy suggestions (I've been meaning to write a guide on them, but never got around, so this might be the beginning for it):

- Make sure to carefully read and remember what is required of you. A lot of the times people will forget details of tasks and can get off topic. Keeping in mind those small details will help you to keep your group on track in the discussions and make you stand out. For example, in one of my group tasks (don't remember if this was for Towers or someone else) we were asked to IMPROVE A BUSINESS by INCREASING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION for an online retailer. We were given quite a bit of information (but nothing you couldn't get through in the 10 minutes before the task began), including some information that could have been used to reduce costs. After about 20 minutes of discussions, the group began talking about reducing costs, which obviously makes sense if you are asked to improve the business, but most people forgot that we had to concentrate on customer satisfaction and I reminded them a few times to keep the talk on track.

- Note a few easy pointers from the research and make them early. Most of the time a few answers to the task at hand will be VERY easy to see. Note 3-4 very easy points that most people will agree on and try to make them early (before anyone else gets a chance). The first 2-3 comments once the group tasks begin will usually be made about procedure/how to discuss/who will keep the time (feel free to suggest that someone does it, it shows initiative right away) etc., once you feel that it'll be ok to jump into discussions, go ahead and make those points - DON'T BE SHY and don't worry about stealing easy answers, nor should you worry if someone else points them out, you can always agree with the person and add a little bit, plus there will be plenty of time to contribute. For example in the task mentioned previously, I saw right away that the processing time of an average call to the customer service line was WAY above some other average (either industry or from another line, I forget) and that there was no official training program for new customer service representatives; so I pointed out right away that we can solve it by implementing an official training program to increase the professionalism and decrease processing time. 2 points - right away, and it gave me the chance to relax and facilitate the discussion in the group.

- If someone disagrees with your point, don't defend it simply because you are the one who made it. Consider what they are saying, maybe even ask other people whether they agree with criticism. In fact, it would probably give you points if you do ask other people, since it will show you as trying to engage other participants. It will also give you a chance to evaluate the validity of the criticism, check the group's feelings overall, and prepare time for your response. If the person's criticism is valid, it's fine to agree and maybe even add more as to why you agree. For example, in the above example I suggested quite early that we could potentially move the call centers to India - this was rebutted by a few people for different reasons and having thought about it, I myself agreed and added that this would reduce costs rather than increase customer satisfaction (which is that small detail that I myself forgot). Knowing when to acknowledge your own mistakes is a BIG PLUS.

- If someone disagrees with you and you feel that you are right, but the other person keeps arguing and is being difficult, the BEST option is to say that it is an obvious point of contention, so why don't we set it aside for the time being so as to progress on the task and come back to it if necessary later. Most of the time you won't have to come back since you will have plenty of other things to discuss, but this will be A VERY good point for you since it is the best way to show team work abilities. You should also do the same when other people get into debates that last more than 2-3 comments from just a few people. Simply step in and say: I think it's a very important point and that both sides have valid arguments, but gives the limited amount of time, why don't we discuss X and come back to this later."

- If there is a debate that absolutely needs to be resolved - call a vote.

- Try to engage other participants as much as you can - especially those who are shy.

- An easy way to become the facilitator and score points is to ask questions (obviously relevant ones and those that will help the discussion flow in the right direction) e.g. "we've discussed point A quite a bit, but what do you guys think we could do about point B?"

- Another good way is to provide quick summaries of the discussions. In the above example, we had to come up with 2 long term and 2 short term solutions for the client. We sorted out 2 short term very fast, but people kept suggesting more. So I kept on summarizing: "so far we have agreed on course A and course B - both short term solutions. Since we have very little time, why don't we concentrate on long term solutions for now, and once we get them out of the way, we can debate whether we can replace A and B with something more efficient/better/etc."

Those are some key points.

A.

Hey amik777,

Well done on the process and getting an offer. How long did it take to receive an offer from TW? I have had my AC for a week now and haven't heard anything at all.

Hi,
Do you need to provide 2 examples for each competency? I'm not sure how many graduates would have that much experience to draw from. Also, could anyone provide any details as to what the written exercise is and how to best prepare for it?

Thank you

Hello everyone,
Was any of you who got an offer, required to come for another interview after the assessment centre?
Would be great if anyone could share the experience.

Thanks

Blackwheels,

   I did, but only after passing that final interview. From my experience, it means that you did well on all the tests, but there might be some questions/concerns that they would like to address before giving you an answer. In my case they were concerned about my commitment to finance (I am from a poli sci background) and questioned my motivations, my knowledge of investment consulting, and my knowledge of the firm. I actually asked the girl who invited me for the 2nd interview what it would be about and she gave me as much info as she could. Good luck!

A.

Many thanks amik777,

Do you remember how long it took for Towers Watson to come back to you on a date for the final interview. They are taking too long this time around. Maybe it's an uncertainty. Definitely not a good sign.

blackwheels

Hey,

   They gave me an answer the next day I think. I wouldn't worry about it though, they would tell you i f you weren't a good fit as well. 

A.

wow cheers amik you've put a load of really useful stuff on this... I have a phone interview coming up on Wednesday so I was just putting it out there to see if anyone else has had any so far for 2011 intake?... good luck all!

Hi sburnham. I have my telephone interview next week. How did yours go? Any useful hints or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hey Sanc. It was a relatively easy phone interview compared to some others that I have done... It was with just one person which was nice as I've had a group of 4 listening in before which wasn't pleasant.... It only took about 25-30 minutes which was also nice as it said that it was scheduled for a full hour in the email... There weren't any overly specific questions which put me on the spot... She seemed to give me a general question about, say... organisation, and let me talk about what ever I wanted. She only pursued specific details occasionally and when she did I got the feeling it would be to help me address the points relevant to the question to get a higher score for the interview... To be honest if you talk confidently and don't stammer and stutter too much - like I did in parts haha, you should be fine... I didn't feel like they were trying to cut me out of the process... more like they were making sure I was able to talk like a normal person on the phone... anyway good luck! let me know how it goes...

Seeing as i've trawled through so many wikijob threads and gained so much useful info off this site, i thought it only fair to finally contribute something in return...

So this my rendition of the TW assessment centre (Dec 2010, Investment, Client consulting, grad job, London)...

The day lasts from 8.30 - 3.30, although nothing happens until 9am, they just want you there nice and early. It is a good opportunity to meet (and size up) your opposition in the lobby area though.

The first exercise of the day is the 10min (1 on 1) presentation, mine was on the strength of emerging markets and my recommendations about how to invest in them. It was quite technical as i focussed on investment strategy and associated risks etc. The 10min of questions afterwards started off technical, eg. what will happen to these emerging markets in 5 years when the west doesnt want/need to buy off them anymore? And also, what type of governance is appropriate for the strategies i put forward. Then some general questions like: how did you research this, what was your thought process.

The assessor was very nice and personable...Tips: relax, project your voice, make sure what your saying flows, dont hesitiate, make sure you stand up to present (even though its 1 on 1) etc.

The second task was the 1hr interview, entirely competency based. Not even any q's like why TW, why investment etc...From speaking to the assessor afterwards, he said he was also surprised by the style of interview TW use, it is a very structured competency interview on 4 areas (which i cant remember), but the actual q's i got asked were: tell me about a time you made a mistake, consequences, what did you learn. Tell me when you have been inefficient in a team, consequences, what did you learn, how did you feel. Tell me about a time you worked in an unstructured project, how did you organise your time, set objectives (obviously they are looking for leadership qualities here). And, tell me about your greatest achievement.

From speaking to other candidates that day, their q's were slightly different, but overall the structure and 4 topics were the same.

Then we all had a presentation by the company, unassessed.

Then came the role play, split into 2 sections, with a lunch break in between... you have 15min to read a booklet and make notes (about some haircare company with bad sales), then after lunch (which is a 1hr mingle with grads) you go into a mock client meeting where the client (assessor) is very upset and aggressive and you have to reassure him, extract more info about the company and them go away and write a report on suggestions for the company to improve. The write-up is timed, 30min.

This was by far the hardest task, the meeting with the client can very easily go wrong if you dont have the ability to keep the conversation fluid and react quickly to what he saying (the client is quite stroppy and short with his answers to your questions).

Tips: in the 15min role play prep, write down what you want to ask the client. During the lunch break, engage with the grads, they do leave feedback with HR (even though lunch is supposed to be unassessed!), but dont ask them the boring usual q's like: cfa or acturial, or how soon before we see clients...ask relevant interesting q's to them, like: i hear you have loads of xmas parties, how do you any work in december?! etc.

In the client meeting, body language and courtesy is extremely important, you are warned in the booklet you will be assessed on this. Shake hands at the start and end, greet the client properly (hello Mr. Nicholas, not hello jo!), maintain eye contact, pretend to be geniunely concerned and tell him you value his business and relationship and emphasise that his business is important to yours (you have to pretend to be from a consulting firm).

After this you have to sit a numerical reasoning test, shl standard, definitely easier than the online one. 20 q's in 20 min, difficult to finish (i didnt do the last 2) to easy enough.

Then there is the final task, the group exercise (looking at the TV channel's poor ratings and making 3 suggestions to improve them, you are given a couple of pages of graphs and figures). My assessment centre had 7 candidates, so they split us into 2 groups, i was in the group of 3 for my task. This is a little unusual in that i am used to participating in larger groups where ideas are bouncing around, someone tries to dominate, someone has to keep telling the group to move on etc etc. In a group of 3 its very easy to run out of ideas and soon silence kicks in! Dont let this happen, it shows the assessor all 3 ppl in the group aren't particularly good at working in a team. That said, dont just come out with drivvle to fill the time! Only say meaningful stuff, think outside the box, dont just stick to the script, if an idea is really outrageous, someone else will pick up on it and youve got the group talking again! The trick with group exercises is to say a handful of really clever things noone else thought of. Suggest improvements on other ppl's good ideas, suggest alternatives, ask the question at the end: lets picture what criticism our recommendations may incur, can we answer this criticism and justify our choices? etc

After this, HR hold a 10min wrap up talk and ask for feedback about the day, then you are free to run off into the pub accross the road with the other candidates to drown your sorrows!

It is an intense day, you have to constantly perform and it is tiring...You cant really eat any lunch either cos you want to engage the grads. But be confident, dont fold under the pressure, if you do have a fight or flight moment and really cant think of anything to say (eg. the interview or role play) just speak slowly until your back on track or even ask for 1 moment to think....just dont um and err, it sounds unconfident and like youre unprepared.

Thats about all i can remember about the day, and all the advice i have from the perspective: if were to do it again i would...

Good luck!

Hello Redcoat,

nicely summed up! did you get an offer btw??

Anyone get a call back after an assessment centre this week?

@Crentist

No not yet. I had my interview on Monday so a bit worried now. Have you yet?

Hey Amik, Redcoat

1) Thank you for all the useful information on this post.

2) How much time did it take for TW to come back to you guys with a date for the AC after you passed the 1st interview? I had my 1st interview early December and was notified that I had passed on the 6th of Dec; how much time do you reckon before they come back to me for a date for the AC? I really hope I have my AC in Jan.

hi guys,

did everyone of you had to do a presentation on the assessment day? I have an assessment centre coming up and they did not mention anything about a presentation

it depends on what service line you applied to. i think it's only the investment people that have to do that.

Hey Motosams,

If you dont mind my asking, when do you have ur AC? And is it for Investments? I am just asking coz I also have one due but havent received a date for the same...

Also, all the best for the same.

Hi guys,

Does anybody know if there's a role play exercise for investment ac?

cheers

R

Have u guys received an AC invitation yet for January?

Mine's on Tuesday. I'm applying for Investment (reigate) but the ac is in London.

Hey guys,

Does anybody apply for Employee Survey Analyst and have scheduled an AC? And what content does the AC have?

Thanks!

Thanks for the reply Remski...could you tell me when u had your first interview? Sorry for the unnecessary questions man, but I'm just trying to second guess when my AC would be...also, All the best for tuesday.

I had my telephone interview on the 19/11. I was suppose to have my AC sooner but there was a bit of messing about with the dates as I asked for my application to be moved from RCS to Investment. So at one point, I was just on the phone with the HR and we were looking at all possible dates and the 11th came up.

When I spoke with them the next ac date that HR mentioned was the 17th, so they might invite you for this one.

And cheers with all that was said in this topic I'll need all the luck I can get ;)

Hi rejoyce,

I also applied for Employee Survey Analyst and is waiting for the AC date. When did you have your telephone? I had mine early December and have been waiting for the AC since.

Hey Alison, my tele interview was on 22nd Dec, and they informed me I pass through to AC last week.
Do you have any idea about the number of intakes for this position?

Hi rejoyce,
I have no idea about the exact number for this position.
but I remember on TW's website, the intake for General Consulting (London) this year is 12. so i guess around 4 for Employee Survey.....?

Thanks for the response Remski...hope ur AC went well.

Hey amik777, I am with recruitment agency as well, I have never seen they paid a lot of attention to candidates before. Which agency r u with if u don;t mind me asking?

I had my telephone interview on december 2nd (for T&R consulting) and was told I passed but still havent been given a date for the AC either. is it worth getting in touch with them do you reckon?

Cuzzabear,

I am in the same "frustrating" boat man..u cud call or email..but unfortunately they have a bit of a standard reponse: our assessment centre take place b/w mid dec and april. However, we will be in touch 10 days before ur AC date. So I guess we gtta wait...lol.

However, if something materializes when u contact them...do reply and tell me who u called or emailed. Cheers.

Anyone heard back from the Tuesday Investment Consulting AC?

Hi nervy aspirants,

With interviews and americanised HR programmes the employer wants to see that you have all round soundness. A brain for arithmetic, can be focused, task achiever, liase logically and patiently with all kinds of people from executives to blue collar and are computer gadget literate..

May I reassure you. But firstly some history. All of you have grown up pampered and protected from everything from barbed wire to sledging. Your education institutions eased your way through to graduation. They all want most of you to succeed because thats what they are paid for. Acquiring a degree is only the beginning before entering a reality that is truly accountable. From now on "they" are paying you and want their pound of flesh whereas before at uni and school you and your parents were paying "them".

Some pointers;

(a) Be yourself and pretend you already have the job but intend to carry on the way you start out. If you try to appear like something you think they want to see then you have bent over already. Don't be arrogant but don't be bullied or intimidated, just be yourself and if they cannot see your talent then use their rejection as an incentive to work for the opposition. Do YOU own your life, or them.

(b) The people interviewing you are basically very nice humane sorts who settled for a career in Human Resources which barely requires 4 GCE "O" Levels to qualify and that explains why they miss a few beats in their administration. So be kind to them as you will only go further after they've assessed your jumping around Aintree.

(c) Before the "off" obtain a job spec and if they dont' have one suggest they get their professional act together to map out 3 job specs for various roles within the company. From posts various HR teams have been unprofessional and probably forgot you existed until you chased them. That's the weakness of lower acumen people doing HR.

(d) Ask them for information about the recruitment process and nail them to get back to you by a specific date. At that time chase them..or do you have to ask H.O. Note above some people were not told about any presentation until the day or if the appicant telephoned to check a day beforehand. Their response is that some get it and others don't is a lie. These clerics forgot or played God. For management purposes I used to make HR sign off personally after recommending applicants so I could monitor their form and move them after 3 hopeless applicants. Accountability keeps most people honest.

(e) Remember ultimately the employer has to convince you that the job experience at WW or Mercer is rewarding and enjoyable for you to invest your time and married life with. Most of these employers run sweat shops that see you work 50 hours a week regardless of promises. How about that impact on family life. Getting so nervous about such a prospect just shows your niaivity, but that is expected from young folk. Have a few interviews with banks and insurance companies before the serious applications start just to get used to hearing the questions they ask, how you answer them and your amended responses.

(f) Do your research before interviews and make clear cases for any presentation assignment given. Practise speaking to a group of people, slowly and deliberately, do not gabble. Use eye contact and present matter in a logical sequence. Control from the off stating you will make a presentation covering x y and z and will field questions after the session. A referee talks to both teams before the game so be a referee now.

(g) Group tests are to see what nature you have. Bossyness, inflexibility and tunnel vision is not popular. Be logical and suggest at beginning the format of discussion, round the table, no procrastination and hands raised if want to contribute to discussion thread in each round. Nominate a note taker and put a watch on the desk. Show logic in turn and invite ditto from all because we want to see if you can relate to and manage staff, clients and have an agreeable style that gets to the point without wandering off course. So many people repeat themselves and may like to hear themselves talk.....but I think they feel they must make a contribution and keep emphasising a point many times.

They may ask one of you or even introduce somebody into the group to be "difficult" in a group discussion and they study how each reacts to emotive and illogical questioning usually about a previously agreed premise. Don't get mad or walk away, merely get everybodys attention and ask "Does anybody else here agree with Gumby's thoughts? No, well Gumby, we as a group have made a concensus decision on this matter....moving on....". If Gumby persists then suggest to the group that maybe we don't understand and to be fair, Gumby should make a more formal presentation out front to everybody on the matter and they may need some time to prepare whilst we debate other issues. If Gumby makes a presentation crucify them with poignant questions or come to realise they did have a point after all. Listen and be logical, never pre-judge.

(h) As in aspiring to play Test Cricket or dance with The Bolshoi Ballet, in reality you only want to be there IF you know you can perform. That you are up for the challenge and you're not just a graduate getting any job to shut the parents up from nagging about their sacrifices and not to waste your degree. Reality is that you didn't know what you wanted to do when you left school and possibly still don't really know. Honestly, did any of you wake up when you were 8 and jump out of bed joyously telling mum and dad that you can't wait to grow up to be an blue chip analyst in a pension fund investment team?

Well time to find out.

It goes the other way too, if you chicken out and take an easily acquired insurance job and get bored stiff after 3 months and forever. My challenge to you is to go for the Lords or Bolshoi job, aim high knowing you gave some aspects in life your best shot before slinking back into the easy armchair ride with Bloggs Inurance Company. There are more things in life than WW or BIC, so prepare to find where you are better placed and what it will take to get you there, if you want it. I know youngsters who got good grades at high school and put their noses up in the air and went to do law or medicine. Many failed because they were not true to themselves but ego keep them sentenced to a role akin to Billy Bunter playing for Arsenal.

Regardless of WW or Mercer outcome it is a learning pathway akin to opening batsmen or ballet dancers erring. Why? Because you learn something about that job, the company, the industry and, more importantly, about yourself. The silly thing is that very few graduates stay with WW or Mercer, because after 2 to 4 years experience the talented leave and work for the opposition for better income and career development. The same ethic is mirrored by the employer when they buy in expertise ahead of loyal graduates aspiring for promotion to that job.

Now please don't kid yourself that because you have a degree that you are the brightest. Almost any youngster from your old school who goes through university can obtain a degree. Ignore current day toilet paper degrees for old goats and humanities as they only require an IQ of 33 to succeed.

Have you heard of anyone ever failing? One or two boozers maybe. Recruits with O and A levels succeeded at finance in the past and rapid exit awaits graduates who demand promotion after 6 monhths. In finance with big clients, it may take 2 years before the boss is satisfied you have the basic requirements to remain let alone be promoted. Nobody gets promotion, we all grow into a position and we take it or get it elsewhere.

Two things.

(i) Your clients are your real bosses. Your bosses are resources to help you give quality service to those clients.

(j) Be yourself with personal integrity as your guide.

Cheers......

NS

I'll be in Reigate in a year or so umpiring cricket. So if you see a rotund and modestly ugly guy waddling around town say hi. My kid may be playing soccer for Liverpool (wonder if Torres will ever see the light and leave), Cambridge United or Reigate FC. Like yourselves he too will test himself and take his ability as far as he can. Everybody, enjoy your adventure.