Banking. Entertaining and being Entertained! Paper teacup, or that delectable Wedgewood Bone China!

Banking. Entertaining and being Entertained!

So, you have studied a Finance related subject for the last 5 years, came out of a Great University with a great degree, Masters and an MBA, (may I add quickly add here, you don't need this for banking)!!!, never the less, you have all the " right pieces and, with a big debt in hand, along with the qualification now looking to engage with a potential bank!

Let me say something very important here before I continue writing, "The World Is A Stage", no matter if you acting in LA, a city I adore, or acting in banking! Believe me, in my 20 years in the game, I have seen very, very few great actors and many, many lousy ones! If by the way you are looking to replicate the film " Wall Street" by getting into a bank then by God, You have got to " Outshine" Mr. Michael Douglas, and even Me! when it comes to jumping on that stage and performing!

When you leave University and have worked your " Guts Out" in getting the grades you wanted, you have had to take summers jobs washing dishes in a fast-food restaurant and took jobs " tossing burgers as a short-order chef which is how I funded my Graphic Design Degree! You know it wasn't an easy road, but know your " Value in Gold" or at least, you should do!?

When it comes to engaging with a bank, don't rush into bed with them, remember, this first job is going to be a stepping stone to the next one, I really hope you stay there, but there is one " Very Defining Factor" here, and that's how they " Entertain you! Let me give you some friendly and simple advice, If I may. True story, I no longer work in banking, well I do but I design for them. About a year ago I was invited for a " friendly chat" with a very large financial institution in London, that called me while I was out shopping, so I was wearing rather casual clothes. I informed them that yes it was possible for us to have that defined "relaxed chat" as I had to pass by them on my way home. Now, here is where things go wrong in life, the word " Interpretation" comes into play. My interpretation of the word " relaxed" and " informal" is completely and utterly different than most, I mean " relaxed"!!!

I arrived in a wonderful building and it had a fantastic meeting lounge, it reminded me of some hotel, now here's where things go a bit " Wonky In Terms Of Presentation". I was asked polity if I wanted a drink, a tea, or maybe a Kaffee, now here's where the greatest lesson is learned in terms of " Entertainment". I was offered a tea out of " some paper cup", with tiny packets of sugar and an open as you will carton of milk! Now, as I said, we all have different ideas of " entertainment", but this was low, in anyone's book, quick question, would the CEO have a paper cup in his hand!!! silly question really. That cup of tea aside, I was lead to a glass room whereupon the " relaxed chat was about to being! They sat there before them, two men, well into the fifties, nothing wrong in that, I'm in that age group too, but you would never believe it. They began this " relaxed interview with their heads down in their computer laptops as they ask me a series of logical, company questions, each typing in my " very answers", it was obvious I had got off of the wrong bus stop and entered the " wrong " relaxed " chat. Now, I think it was the paper cup that " sealed their fate" of this rather well-presented "relaxed chat". I might be wrong, some other people might see this presentation as " normal, me, I've got a top degree in Design, and that's all about FANTASTIC PRESENTATION". At the end of the conversation, when the tapping on their laptops had stopped, they aske me if I had any questions, I should have answered in hindsight " Where are the wedgewood born chine tea cups", those that the CEO gets to drink from! I did ask a question. I asked these highly " tech head managers " who started this illustrious old company, suddenly there was an eerie silence, no more tapping on the laptops, but one could see from their eyes they were " dying to type in the question". It was an utter " show" to see them struggling for the answer, if they were on a " Stage, the performance was so bad you would have thrown bad fruits and them and booed! They had to " embarrassingly wait for the answer, they knew I knew it! I told them the answer and said if I was the CEO, for not answering such a simple question I would sack you both!

I was glad to leave, I never do " relaxed" chats with anyone, any more and the " Biggest Lesson here" is this. Should you go for a " relaxed chat, after putting 5 of your very hard years into an expensive University degree and worked your backside off during the summer holidays, the last thing you should EVER EXCEPT at an interview is a PAPER CUP!, if this happens, take your on Wedgewood Bone China Cup and saucer and show em "WHOS GOT STYLE"!!!!!!!!!!! That paper cup is symbolic of what things will be!