ICAP 2010 GRADUATE APPLICATIONS - App, Tel Interview, AC & Final Round

I have my voice broking grad role AC coming up on the 24th....Anyone had an AC yet this year? My email mentioned numerical test, group exercise and panel interview. Does anyone know if the trading sim / verbal test are still in?

In terms of Telephone interview - herd back within 24 hours. Purely competancy...Why ICAP? rivals? share price? What have you picked up from balance sheet? A couple of competency questions I can't remember....

Any feedback on AC much appreciated! I am happy to answer any questions about tel interview....

My telephone interview included:

what is the FTSE 100 trading at name 3 indices worldwide excluding FTSE what is half of 99 how is a bond price affected if interest rates rise describe the broking process what is a bid/ask spread

including those mentioned by Drizzy.

as you can see none of these are competency questions, but there are some:

describe a time when you were entrepreneurial describe a time when you have worked with uncooperative people ...

Good luck for the AC guys, anything else for the telephone interview that I can prepare for? I would appreciate if you put down the process of AC once you done as well, as there aint much info, all the best and sorry I cant be of much help at this moment in time

SpongeBob's post jogged my memory slightly. I was also asked what 1/16 is as a fraction? what is the bid / ask spread? and what has been your toughest sale?

The lady interviewing seemed to really like the fact that I had worked in a commission based role, so if you have done so try and milk it!

I applied for the Internship programme one Monday and got invited to the interview today!

Super-fast response!

congratulations. but as you can see, bennjerry, this thread is for grad applicants, so i doubt anyone here really cares.

lol a bit harsh sponge?

Hi guys,

I applied for the graduate electronic broking position at the beginning of this month.

How long did it take for you guys to hear back from ICAP after applying?

Thanks in advance

@graigrice88 it took them 1day to get back to me, but that doent mean anything, just be patient!

It took about 2 weeks for me, I wouldnt worry about it yet though. If you applied this month they might be waiting for all the apps to come in before the closing date (on the 28th?? i think?) before screening them.

Well Sponge... Thanks. Firstly, I never wrote the above comment to get your opinion on it let alone care about it.

Secondly, the simple thing I mentioned was the time they took to get back to me which applies to both, grads and interns.

Thirdly, congratulations on having got the interview yourself.

Anyone done the AC yet? Got mine on Monday! Want to know if there's a verbal test or trading test...email doesn't mention it but past years have had it!

@Stanmoor...I was wondering exactly the same thing! When is yours? Mines on 24th...

(EDIT: Just realised you said yours was on Monday! Any feedback on whether trading sim / verbal test are included would be much appreciated!)

It's this coming Monday..i'll post when I get back ;)

Hello every1,

I also have an AC on the 24th. There not much information on what to expect. I

think that the numerical test will be like those on investment bank applications online. No idea what the group work will be. The panel interview should be a mix of competency/ personality / suitability, think there'll be two interviews and should last about 45mins.

What are people doing to prepare? I work 55hrs a week so the only time I really have is tomorrow, Im going to really research all ICAPs sectors and prepare why VB.

Cheers stanmoor, appreciate it!

Hey Drizzy,

Had that last year. Basically the simulator will throw you out figures and you have to convert exchange rate and data on to a page given out. It is like a sims version of bloomberg and given 30seconds a question but loads of time.

As for numerical reasoning and verbal reasoning, its all from SHL. Know how to do sudoku too. Let me know how it goes

Pete

Hi guys, could you let me know what the assessment centres like. What kind of numerical (shl or kenexa), what the group exercise consisted of. how the interviews went and what they asked.

Cheers,

Ryan

Hey, had my ac today. Day consists of (for interns):

1. Trading game 2. Shl maths test 3. Group exercise game 4. Panel interview

I found the shl hard as it's not in a similar style to the online version. Also, the interview i got nervous for so think i ballsed it up. She said you will either get rejected, made an offer, or get asked to come back. Probably the first one for me!

Cheers for the info Pete, I just wasn't sure whether it would still be included this year given that it wasn't mentioned in my email.

Ryan, I believe that ICAP use SHL....last year the group exercise was apparently a treasure chest type game involving a crossword, sudoku and some maths (i think?).

Stanmoor, how did your AC go today? Any surprises? What was the format of the day if you don't mind giving feedback? Cheers fella! (EDIT: you posted just before me!)

Couple of other quick questions if you don't mind...Was the group exercise the same as last year? What sort of questions did they ask in panel? Cheers!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • STANMOOR********************

Hey- you never know- they might call you and tell you to come back for the next round- just stay positive- they look at you as a person also so you have a chance!

I was wondering....

Can you please elaborate on the:

1)trading game (what did the game consist of? Currency conversion etc..?) 2)Shl math test (did you have a verbal test also?, how many times did you do the practice test online on shl? is the actual test very different from the one on shl?) 3)Group exercise game (did you have to open a box with a lock on it? did you do sudoku or crossword puzzles? what riddles came up?) 4)Panel interview (what questions came up?)

THANKS !!!!!!

oh why don't you just go and prepare like everyone else and stop hoping for a short cut.

Drizzy cheers for the heads up on numerical.

Good Luck with your AC! got mine on the 6th of Dec!

Drizzy cheers for the heads up on numerical.

Good Luck with your AC! got mine on the 6th of Dec!

Drizzy,

Any chance you can elaborate on:

"What have you picked up from balance sheet?"

I'm guessing this was intended to test whether you knew anything about fundamental analysis, or do I have the wrong end of the stick here?

Cheers in advance bad man x

YM, it was basically just to see if you had read it at all to be honest. If you mention their current revenue compared to last year and operating profit you should be good. Also their semi-annual results came out last week so that will be good if you can mention those as well (how do they compare?). You need to be able to explain why revenue grew but operating profit shrunk if you decide to mention the figures.

I also talked about the 8 types of risk they mention in the annual report and said how all areas of the company should be aware of this (not just risk)....she seemed to like that too.

The interview was not very technical at all and this question was really just to see that you had read their financials.

I get the impression that a lot of grads looking to move into trading or IB apply to ICAP as a back-up, so the HR team are really looking for people who know the broking industry well and know the company well. Learn as many facts as you possibly can and you should be good!

Hope that helps.

Had it last year, AC day was hard there's no two ways about that. Had:

Introduction down in foyer where you are being watched, so introduce yourself to everyone when you walk in.

Introduction video and introduce yourself to the group.

Then numerical test, SHL as previously mentioned.

Then online bloomberg screen with conversion rates etc with questions, with 60 secs to answer each one.

Then I think its the Group challenge where you compete in two teams to open a box, that opens another box, to another box etc, to measure your teamworking ability. Sodku, corssword, combination of the two and riddles here.

Then one on one interviews, thats all I can remember...

Cheers Drizzy, very informative. I have a TI soon. Not looking forward to the AC should I make it there, it sounds like a beast... keep up the good work on the thread boys! x

Appreciate the feedback IDB-lad. Interesting that what you described seems different to what the internship AC was like this week. Also my email mentioned a panel interview specifically, so will be interesting to see whether it differs.

.

Just got this after being at the ac on Monday. Not sure what to make of it as I was told I'd hear within a few days:

"Thank you for attending our Interview & Assessment Day for one of our Graduate Programmes.

As advised, we will inform you of the outcome in the next few weeks."

Is this a standard email they send everyone?

It means there waiting to see the people from the other AC days before they make a decision whether you have the job or not.

It means they're waiting to see the people from the other AC days before they make a decision whether you have a final round interview or not.

Hey guys - had assessment centre on Tues and have had offer for Final Round interview. Just wondering if anyone else has heard back?

Hi guys gona submit my application for Accounting for Icap today... What questions are going to be asked for the telephone interview (fingers crossed i make it through)

Anyone done the AC and yet to receive a response? I did mine on Monday and my app online says I'm now on hold. Not holding my breath, but I'd quite like to know how long I'll be on hold for.

Stanmoor, had mine mid-week, was told I would hear back by the end of the week (grad role). Nothing as of yet.......

hi guys...anyone already had a AC for Risk management... what were the questions in the panel interview ..cheers and GL

Anyone applied to the ASIA OFFICE?! any ideas? if the telephone interview is gonna be similar to the ones in london office!?!

THANKSSSSSSS

Hey Axt857. I was also at the AC on Tuesday, who were you? My application status is now "you will be proceeding to the final stage of the recruitment process" - Is that the same with you? I didn't receive an email detailing the date or anything though. Take care.

Can anyone outline the AC day for voice broking please, as I have conflicting information. Is there a trading game, panel interview etc etc. Thanks people

Any insight for Risk AC? thanks..

Submitted my application London Full Time 2011 Accounting position ages ago and saw application status "on hold after screening". Anyone had the same application status? If yes, how did it go further?

hey I luv doughnuts,

How long after submitting your CV did it take to hear back from ICAP?

@Ulinbac the next day

But everyone has different experiences, dont worry I am sure you will hear soon

@ I luv doughnuts,

Thanks for the reply. Talk about coincidence but just heard there that I have the telephone interview for voice broker, so happy days.

If you don't mind me asking, what were you asked during your telephone interview for voice broking.

Thanks again

Hi, can anyone tell me whether the location given on google map is the correct place for Icap`s head office or there is a mistake?When i put the post code it gives me a place at Eldon street while on Icap`s website the location is somewhere above liverpool street station ....cheers..

Hi, can anyone tell me whether the location given on google map is the correct place for Icap`s head office or there is a mistake?When i put the post code it gives me a place at Eldon street while on Icap`s website the location is somewhere above liverpool street station ....cheers..

Simply type "ICAP Head Office" into google maps and it will take you there. Alternatively type "Broadgate Circle". In either case when you look closely you will see a point marked "ICAP" which is the exact location.