On 21st September in Paris, the recruitment event “Un CDI en un jour” (“A permanent job contract in a day”) welcomed 90 shortlisted applicants who had submitted a CV or had a phone interview. For these young people, it was an exhilarating day, with a presentation of the Group, tests, role-playing situations, interviews and the suspense of the outcome of the three-stage selection process. What did they make of it all?

The best bits?

Well, obviously signing the contract. But also the start of the day: “There was a breakfast at the start, which was really nice. Normally, when you turn up for interviews, you have to wait in a corridor. And the presentation by the HR director of the Retail Banking division was excellent”, said one applicant.

And the worst?

“ The IQ tests”, say some applicants straightaway. Others disagree: “Those tests were very simple, logical sequences are easy!! The sales role-plays that followed were much harder: you have to speak, show your commercial abilities and be confident while at the same letting others have their say, and showing your capacity to listen to others and your team spirit.”

“ The most stressful thing was lunch, because you’re anxious about the results from the morning tests that are coming just after the meal”, a young woman reminded me.

“ The first one-on-one interview at the start of the afternoon is the most stressful”, says one applicant. “You know that your future job is at stake.” Another person feels that this interview is no different from a standard interview with an HR officer, and contains no hidden surprises.

“ If the first interview is a success, you then get a second interview with network banking staff. Their questions are much more technical, practical: what would you do if you came up against an aggressive customer? How would you cope when it gets very busy: when your phone is ringing and several people turn up at the same time?”

The keys to success (according to the successful applicants)

At the end of the recruitment day, thirty applicants had signed job contracts. “ Be very motivated”; “ be confident”; “ sell yourself”; “ always be yourself”: that’s their advice for anyone attending future recruitment days.

For more information, visit our careers website: http://careers.socgen.com