Your questions answered by Antonia Choi, head of graduate recruitment EMEA at Nomura

Want to work for Nomura when you leave university? Antonia Choi, head of graduate recruitment EMEA at Nomura, has agreed to respond to some of your questions on graduate jobs and internships.

We’ve started the process by asking Antonia a few questions below. You can either email us your questions (to editor@efinancialcareers.com, with 'Questions for Antonia Choi' in the subject line), or you can add your questions to the comments box at the bottom of this page.

Antonia will be answering three questions a day between September 16th-18th inclusive.

1. So, milkround season has started! How will you be filling the next few months?

Antonia:  Nomura recruits across the EMEA region so we are excited to be back visiting a large number of campuses, looking for top talent! We often bring business reps with us to conduct a range of skills sessions from case studies to mock interviews. These events are a great way for us to get to know you and hopefully for you to learn more about us. We also recruit on a rolling basis so will be conducting interviews throughout the autumn.

2. Things seem to be looking up on the advisory side of banking, with equity issuance increasing and M&A hopefully making a comeback soon. Is this having any effect on your graduate hiring plans?

Antonia: The market is showing positive signs and Nomura as a business has been experiencing encouraging results. This has had an effect on our hiring plans and we are looking at increasing numbers for all our programmes this year, including full time analysts and associates.

3. Can you talk us quickly through the application process at Nomura - do you use telephone interviews, psychometric tests and assessment centres?

Antonia: The application process at Nomura for Investment Banking and Global Markets:

1. Online application with CV and Cover Letter

2. Online numerical and logical reasoning testing. Candidates will have 7 days to complete tests and must pass both elements

3. CV screening conducted in-house with business reps from your region of study as well as HR

4.  1st round interviews comprising of 1 x 30 min case study interview and 1 x 30 min competency interview (2 x for full time applicants). These interviews will be conducted by junior bankers

5.  Final round interviews comprising of 4 x competency. These interviews will be conducted by senior bankers

The application process at Nomura for Corporate Infrastructure (Finance, IT, Ops)

1. Online application with CV and Cover Letter

2. CV screening conducted in-house with business reps from your region of study as well as HR

3.  1st round interviews comprising 1 x 45 min competency interview. These interviews will be conducted by junior representatives

4. Assessment centre comprising of 1 x group exercise and 2 x 45-minute competency interviews. These interviews will be conducted by senior representatives

We do not use any telephone or VC interviews (unless special circumstances). All 1st round interviews are conducted in candidate’s region of study (where possible) and final rounds are conducted in our offices in London, 1 Angel Lane.

3.  Once a student has made it through the initial screening of their CV/application form, what's the number one reason they're rejected by your graduate recruiters?

Antonia: Coming through the CV screening stage is arguably the most challenging part of any process so if you get through this successfully, then firstly well done. The next stage is interviews and the key to this is preparation and being able to show a real hunger and drive for the industry and firm. Remember all interviewers must agree for a candidate to progress to the next round, so it is also important to be able perform well in front of a range of different people

4.  Are there any particular skills or languages you'll be looking for this year?

Antonia: We recruit from a range of different backgrounds, degree disciplines and profiles so in terms of skills, so long as you have the key raw smarts and analytical ability everyone has something different to offer. Languages are always a great asset and as we are a global firm, all are welcome!

5. How does Nomura differ culturally to other big banks? And how does this affect the kinds of graduates you look for?

Nomura is an Asian Investment Bank, so that in itself sets us apart and makes us unique. In EMEA, we are smaller in size, though not scale which means that we are more entrepreneurial, nimble and flatter in structure. Graduates who will do well at Nomura are those who are intellectually curious, have opinions they are not afraid to express, enjoy being given and taking responsibility, want to make a difference and can communicate successfully with a wide range of people at all levels. This is a fun place to work and the people are what make it. Our EVP is centred around our people so who you are is as important to us as what you can do.