Graduate banking jobs

Summer tends to be the peak hiring season for immediate start graduate roles in banking due to the large volume of banking hopefuls graduating during this period of time. So, if you’re looking for banking jobs for graduates with immediate start, it’s useful to apply as you’re approaching graduation and to continue proactively applying post-graduation. Not only does this ensure you get first choice of the best banking graduate trainee jobs available, but it also means that you don’t miss an early close date. Competitive banking jobs like banking graduate schemes can close before the original deadline if there is a larger volume of applications than expected. As such, it’s important to keep your CV up to date and apply as soon as possible.

If you’re unsure about the quality of your CV, we can help. We have a hub of CV templates and a team of CV specialists who can advise you. They can give you personalised tips on putting together a CV that will best prepare you to pursue graduate programmes.

Graduate schemes in banking are usually cyclical, meaning that they open for applications at the same time every year – usually many months ahead of the start date. They usually involve a structured training programme that lasts around 2/3 years. A banking graduate programme is a way for larger corporations to upskill entry-level graduates to be future leaders in their organisations. If you’re looking to join one of the many graduate schemes in banking, you’ll need to be organised. Enquire about when applications open and keep track of when you need to submit your application so that you don’t miss the deadline of your dream global banking graduate programme.

For more tips on banking job applications, head over to our blog.

Different job vacancies for graduates in banks will have different application requirements. Here are some of the key skills banking jobs for graduate hopefuls require, so you can decide if banking jobs are the right fit for you.

If you are a driven graduate with a competitive edge, and you thrive in a fast-paced environment, banking graduate roles could be ideal for you. Working in banking, each day varies from the next, giving rise to unique situations that will require you to think on your feet. Targets and metrics are also key aspects when it comes to jobs for graduates in private banks, for example. As such, you’ll need to be able to cope effectively under high-pressure environments and have the motivation to meet targets.

Roles in banking, in particular investment analyst graduate jobs, ultimately centre around data. So, if you’re great with numbers, have top-notch analytical skills, and can get your head around statistics, jobs in finance and banking could be perfect for you.

Graduate investment banking jobs, however, aren’t just about numbers. Graduate roles in banking will also require you to partake in face-to-face meetings with clients from a wide range of backgrounds, so you’ll need to be a confident graduate with excellent communication skills. In this sense, client-facing roles in banking are inescapable.

So, if you’re an ambitious, analytical graduate with great people skills, you’ll definitely fit the criteria for graduate banking jobs.

The global balance of business, finance, and economics shifts every day, making the banking industry a continually changing, fast-paced, and exciting sector to work in.

Jobs in the banking industry have some undeniably great benefits. For example, graduate jobs in investment banking are some of the highest-paid positions in the world. Salaries for investment banking graduate jobs average at around £45,000 per annum (double the graduate average). Salary aside, a common perk of graduate jobs in banking is travel. Working in a global industry, careers in finance will often involve meeting with clients at various international offices, resulting in lots of opportunities to travel abroad, build a global network, and have the possibility to relocate in the long term.

Careers in the banking industry offer excellent career progression, with many firms offering finance graduate trainee jobs with recognised industry qualifications. Graduate schemes in banking, for instance, enable junior hires to have a structured and rewarding development path, making space for rapid progression. Typically, in an investment banking graduate scheme, you’ll start out as an analyst, looking at the company’s profits and strengths, the execution of transactions and assisting the senior manager. You’ll then progress to an associate, given more autonomy, and become more client-facing.

Banking careers have a reputation for being fast-paced and intense but with high financial rewards. Alongside their starting salaries, most bankers expect to earn high amounts of money through bonus schemes and commission – up to double their own salary.

But can the same be expected for early careers banking positions, such as entry level investment banking jobs?

The average salary for banking grad jobs sits at around £31,000 in the UK*, with salaries ranging from £24,000 to £45,000*.

With the general average salary for UK grad jobs sitting at £29.9K*, it’s fair to say that junior banking jobs do indeed offer higher salaries than other grad roles.

For some, this average salary might be lower than expected. However, you need to remember that the central benefit of many banking opportunities – such as banking grad schemes – is the training and development on offer, not the starting salary.

The eventual benefit of such training and development is quicker progression and with that comes faster salary rises.

So, when you’re looking for trainee banking jobs, make sure that you’re paying attention to the wider job benefits, not just the monetary benefits!

*According to internal Give a Grad a Go statistics.

Graduates interested in banking have a wide range of roles available to them, catering to different skills, interests, and areas of expertise within the banking sector.

Here are some common roles that graduates might consider when entering the banking industry:

1. Investment Banking: Investment bankers work on mergers and acquisitions, financial modeling, due diligence, and other activities related to corporate finance. They often work long hours and deal with complex financial transactions.

2. Retail Banking: Graduates can start in entry-level roles within retail banking, such as customer service representatives or tellers, handling day-to-day banking transactions, assisting customers, and promoting bank products.

3. Risk Analyst: Risk analysts assess and manage various types of risks within a bank, such as credit risk, market risk, and operational risk. They analyze data and market trends to make informed risk management decisions.

4. Asset Management: Graduates interested in managing investment portfolios can work as asset managers, responsible for making investment decisions to maximise returns for clients.

5. Private Banking/Wealth Management: Private bankers and wealth managers work with high-net-worth individuals to provide personalized financial advice, investment strategies, and wealth preservation solutions.

If any of the above options is of interest to you, be sure to check out the related banking jobs we have on the job board above. There’s something for everyone – from investment banking graduate schemes to trainee asset manager roles – take a look!