Credit Suisse

Analyst Programs:

These are aimed towards Bachelors or Masters students who are looking for summer internships or who are in their final year. The fulltime program combines on the job learning and mentoring with traditional classroom study and mandatory exams. This program emphasises the development of soft skills, such as learning to give presentations and build relationships with colleagues from every part of the bank.

Associate programs:

This track is open to those with MBAs, although any advanced degree is acceptable if accompanied by the right workplace experience. People applying here need both capability and confidence to slot straight into a demanding role. You can expect to liaise with people in senior positions, early responsibility, and the opportunity to reveal your potential. You can expect to be trained within your business area by the leading talent in the industry. These placements have a summer start day, involve seven weeks training in Zurich (for European applicants), training, on the job instruction, and the opportunity to build relationships and network.

Quantitative positions:

To apply to this track, you need a PhD or double masters in an appropriate, quantitative field (e.g. the sciences, mathematics or economics). Applicants can apply for either two business areas: equities or fixed income. According to the Credit Suisse site, there are positions available within Fixed Income and Equities across areas such as Modeling and Analytics, Trading, Structuring and Research.

Our key quantitative Full-time Program is run by the Global Modelling and Analytics Group (GMAG). The group operates globally across all product areas in the Fixed Income and Equities businesses. GMAG sits on the trading floors of the bank, and works closely with Trading and Structuring to develop cutting-edge models for the pricing and risk management of derivative products. You should note that business areas you can become involved in (e.g. investment banking, equities, private banking, etc…) depends on which of these programs you apply to. You should check their chart, available on their website (under ‘Training Programs’).

Internships:

There are fulltime programs, industrial placements, summer internships and autumn interships but again, these vary in availability according to business and program. Candidates who apply for internships should apply during their penultimate year of study, and must be available for fulltime employment after graduation. Credit Suisse has opportunities in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), the Americas and Asia Pacific regions- and you can apply to two regions and two roles per region.

Most roles in Europe are based in London. Recruitment begins in September for positions starting the following July. For 2009, Credit Suisse began accepting online applications in September, with a deadline in November. Interviews and assessment centres were held from October until December.

The process of earning an offer is multi-staged, beginning with the online application submissions and online tests (there are practice tests available).

What happens next can vary depending on the area for which you apply. You may be invited to an assessment centre and be given a variety of exercises and interviews. Alternatively, you may have to complete competency or technical interviews (either face-to-face or by telephone).

Then there is another, final round of interviews, which will aim to match you to the right area and give you a clearer understanding of what each position would entail. Credit Suisse ensures that throughout the process and afterwards you can speak to people already there.