Your questions to Laura Shipp, the person responsible for graduate recruitment for the UK at SocGen Investment Bank

Laura Shipp, vice president, people and talent development manager at Societe Generale Corporate and Investment Banking, has agreed to respond to some of your questions on graduate jobs and internships.

We've started the process by asking Laura a few questions below. Please post your questions in the comments box at the bottom of this page. Laura will be answering three questions a day between the 17th and the 19th of May inclusive. QUESTIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.

QUESTION: How easy is it to get into your Equities and Equity Derivatives businesses? What do you look for in candidates?

As Société Générale Corporate & Investment Banking is a strong player in equity derivatives we often need to hire high calibre graduates in this field. We look for graduates mainly with degrees in business, finance, engineering or mathematics. Previous experience of financial markets, preferably in equity derivatives is an asset.

In terms of personal capabilities, we are also looking for candidates who display:

- a potential to grow and progress

- the ability to be strong team players

- technical skills

- rigour and transparency

and for those applying to client facing positions, obviously communication skills.

QUESTION: Do I need an MSc to work in one of your front office roles?

Although this can be an advantage when applying in some countries, you don't strictly need to hold a MSc in order to apply to us.

QUESTION: Which front office business areas will you be hiring the most graduates into during 2011?

The front office will be hiring graduates in every business area in 2011. It is anticipated that we will be hiring especially in mergers & acquisitions and origination.

In the UK specifically, we expect to be focusing on hiring graduates into M&A and commodities.

QUESTION: How necessary is it to get an internship if I want to join Societe Generale in a graduate position?

It is not compulsory. However, if you get an internship at Societe Generale, this is useful in so far as you will benefit from having information about the Bank and a better understanding of our organisation.

You will also have the opportunity to learn about career paths within the bank and build a professional network with fellow employees.

YOUR QUESTIONS FOR LAURA:

Question: Do you take on graduates that require work permits? (ars806)

Laura says: We aim to attract and secure the best candidates for the role and if the best candidate were to require a work permit then we would endeavour to secure them.

Question: Will you consider candidates that have graduated 3 or 4 years ago in any discipline degree? (Moksud)

Laura says: Our graduate positions require that the individual has graduated in a relevant discipline according to the role they applied for, for example, mathematics, finance or economics would be appropriate for a Structured Finance position.

Question: How much of a difference does a CFA Level 1 make in securing a job in investment banking if one does not have a prior banking experience? (NISHANT)

Laura says: Demonstrating a financial acumen will always assist a role in banking, which the CFA can provide, however, candidates are strongly encouraged to gain practical experience even if it is as little as a two week work placement.

Question: What should a Humanities student do in order to increase his chances of getting into investment banking in general? What areas of IB is a BA student more likely to get in to? (Magda)

Laura says: Consider reading an MSc would be a practical option; however, Humanities can offer a number of transferable skills that can be applicable to business support positions.

Question: I am an engineering graduate. Which business area would best suit someone with my background? (Tafadzwa)

Laura says: Engineering provides a good foundation for all areas of the Bank.

Question: Is it ok if I apply for a division within Societe Generale different from the one I might have applied to earlier? Or does it display a lack of consistency and focus? (aditya_858)

Laura says: It is absolutely fine, at Societe Generale we actively encourage mobility within the Group.

Question: If I have obtained a degree with 59%, do you take into account the course and university, or is a minimum of 60% (2.1) required and why? (Miraj)

Laura says: We take a number of criterion into account when selecting candidates, not just degree classification.

Question: I am graduating with a MSc in Corporate finance and Strategic management (June 2011) from the Bristol Business School, and I strongly want to work in SG's M&A department in Paris. What should I do to get an internship first? I am bilingual (French and English) with advanced knowdge of the valuation process based on the both the DCF and multiples models. (Lilian)

Laura says: To complement our graduate programme we also have a structured internship programme. Applications for our 2012 programme open in September. Please visit our careers website nearer to the time, which will detail all our international positions.

Question: Will you consider candidates that agree with any marxian and neo-marxian ideas? Alessandro

Laura says: Political views are not a bar to securing a position at SG.