What Citi Seeks In An MBA Hire

A Citi trading room

A Citi trading room

What types of onboarding, training and ongoing support do you provide to incoming MBAs?

We offer a robust entry-level training program. And that’s a big component of our strategy. Typically, the program will vary a bit by business. On average, we’re talking about six weeks (of training), starting with presentations from senior leaders during our Welcome Week, We have a mix of technical training, soft skills modules, and networking events. . We offer ongoing training, both in the form of in-person engagement and via online tools. We have a very strong program management function that works with the campus team as well. This group has ownership for the MBA hires during their duration of their time on programs. This group spends time on mentorship, training, development, assignments, in-business rotations, etc. for their respective populations to create the most optimal experience for each of our campus hires.

When it comes to Citi, what are some of the biggest misconceptions that students may have about your organization (and your industry)?

One thing I’d say is that there is a misconception that we are large and bureaucratic and that means you really can’t have an impact when you join us. There’s a big misconception that people working at a bank or in financial services sit behind a desk all day and are really only about the bottom line.

I will say that we have cutting edge technology; a large global network that people can tap into; an incredibly diverse workforce; and we offer people opportunities to make an impact around the world. We work with clients who are investing in the revitalization of urban areas or entrepreneurs on ventures to make healthy meals available to school-age children. These are things people really don’t think about when they look at financial services.

We have 92 employee networks with over 14,000 members across 35 global locations. So there’s much more that we offer than just your day job. There are so many ways to connect with the firm beyond what you do day-to-day.

Citigroup Center

Citigroup Center

What are your expectations for entry level MBAs? What are your most successful new hires doing to hit the ground running and quickly add value?

Successful new MBA hires share a number of traits. First, they’re open-minded about opportunities. They are intellectually curious. They ask good questions; they know when to ask questions which enables them to get up to speed quickly. They are skilled at building relationships across all levels of the organization. They are team players who can work together towards a common goal. I think our professionals really do value that [MBAs] bring a fresh perspective, a strategic thinking mindset, that they question and are creative and innovative, and setting new standards.

Give me an example of a student who really impressed you in the process. (i.e. What is the most creative or memorable thing someone has done to stand out and impress you?)

I’ve had many students impress me during the interview process. Speaking off the cuff, there is someone who comes to mind about thinking about new opportunities in an open-minded way. We had someone who came into one of our programs. And he had a pretty strong desire to be part of a certain business in his first rotation. But we ended up putting him in a different part of the firm because it was such a nice complement to his skill set. We thought it would be a good fit with the manager too.

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