Lunchtime Links: Further insightful information on how to get into Goldman

Following on from yesterday's link to one graduate's attempt to endear himself to Goldman recruiters through rank sycophancy, we can now suggest an alternative approach: quick decisions about food.

According to Shia LaBeouf, who's starring in the remake of Wall Street (the film), and has therefore been conducting some research into the banking mentality, Goldman-types approve of people who know precisely what they want to eat.

"It is a live-by-the-seat-of-your-pants mentality," he told USA Today (H/T Dealbreaker), "I talked to a lot of Goldman Sachs people, and one of the requirements of getting a job takes place in the first five minutes of an interview. They take you out to eat. The minute the menu hits the table, if you can't order within 30 seconds, you don't have the job."

Goldman evidently doesn't employ vegans or anyone with a complicated food allergy.

What's obvious is that Goldman doesn't particularly feel that it's competing for talent with other banks this year - at least not at the partner level. (Felix Salmon)

How Goldman's culture sets it apart. (The Street)

The pressure is escalating for a bonus clampdown at Royal Bank of Scotland. (This is Money)

Tony Blair will earn six figures for giving four speeches to Lansdowne Partners. (The Times)

UBS hires two new senior jobless fixed bankers in the US. (Reuters)

One shouldn't be surprised to see some of the big trading hedge funds getting some talented people on board then. If you are head of HR at a major hedge fund you are getting ready to interview now. (Bloomberg)

Barclays is spending record amounts on lobbyists this year. (Telegraph)

The Jerome Kerviel experience shows prop trading didn't cause the crisis. (The Big Money)

Stephen Green says bonuses won't be shameful for too much longer. (Evening Standard)

The rules for calling in sick. (Gawker)