SEO London: Jefferies Application Guidance

2021 SEO London / Jefferies Financial Group

Application Guidance
This document includes information on the following:
1. Guidance on Jefferies Application Process
2. How to flag yourself to Jefferies as an SEO Candidate
3. Support with answering Jefferies motivational questions
4. Numerical and Verbal Reasoning Assessments support
5. How to inform SEO London of your submitted application and its progress

Please note in order to be flagged by SEO to Jefferies recruitment team and be supported
through their application stages you must inform us of your submitted application here.

1. Guidance on Jefferies Application Process

The application process for Jefferies includes:
1. Online Application form, including CV and Motivational Questions
2. Telephone Interview/s
3. Assessment Centre

Jefferies 2021 Opportunities

Summer Internships Full Time Analyst Off-Cycle Internship
Equity Research Equity Research Investment Banking – TMT (Feb – Apr)
Investment Banking – TMT (May – July)

Note: The above roles are being recruited for on a rolling basis!

You can access all of Jefferies Intern & Entry Level Programs here

NOTE: Jefferies allow you to apply to 2 roles within one recruiting cycle and will ask you to specify if
your application is your first-choice preferred role. Please think ahead about which division is your
first choice if you intend to submit 2 applications for 2 different divisions.

2. How to flag yourself to Jefferies as an SEO Candidate

At the end of the “Additional Information” page, you will be asked “How did you hear about us?”
Select “Other” and type “SEO London”
SEO London: Jefferies Application Guidance
3. Support with answering Jefferies motivational questions

Jefferies are using competency questions to assess your motivations and understanding for the
division you are applying to. Your responses should be structured and tailored to demonstrate to the
recruiter that you possess the key aptitudes, attributes and values to excel in the division/role. They
are also looking for proof that you want to work at their firm. It is important you can identify
transferrable skills and strong commercial awareness as well as the fact you have done your
homework.

You have a very limited word count for each question so please ensure your responses are succinct.

Jefferies – Motivational Questions:

1. In your own words, please describe the function of the business unit you have
selected and why have you applied to Jefferies? (200 word limit).
2. Tell us about a recent team experience you found rewarding. What was your role?
What did you learn from this experience? (150 word limit)
3. Tell us about a goal that you set for yourself and how you reached it. How does this
achievement differentiate you from others? (150 word limit)

4. Please give brief examples of technical projects/work that you have worked on which
has allowed you to demonstrate your strongest technical competencies. (300 word limit)

Q1: In your own words, please describe the function of the business unit you have
selected and why have you applied to Jefferies? (200-word limit).

This question is testing your understanding of the division and the function and why you want to
work for Jefferies. It is important you demonstrate that you understand which clients the division
serves (this could be internal or external) and Jefferies’ strength in the relevant business area.
Jefferies’ website explains what each division does but they want to see your understanding of it
too.

Questions to think about when answering this question:

Who are the divisions’ clients?
What types of deals have they worked on?
Which teams does the division work closely with to maximise value for clients?
What are Jefferies’ strengths in this area?
What is Jefferies’ strategy? (this information can be found from management statements in
quarterly reports or investor presentations)
What makes Jefferies’ unique? Why Jefferies’ over their competitors?

Points to consider when answering questions 2, 3 and 4.

• Each response is only 150 words so make sure you are selective about what you choose and
be sure to articulate your impact wherever possible
• Try to use examples that bring out your unique story and will make your application
memorable (for good reasons) to the recruiter reading it

Q2: Tell us about a recent team experience you found rewarding. What was your role?
What did you learn from this experience? (150-word limit)

This question is assessing your teamworking skills and ability to collaborate with others.
SEO London: Jefferies Application Guidance
Things to consider:

• Look over your CV and write out examples of where you have worked in a team. What was
your role? What did the team achieve and how did you/your role contribute towards this?
• Highlight anything that would make you stand out e.g. if the team were struggling or
behind, how did you rectify it? Or, has there been a time where a team-mate was struggling?
How did you help and what benefit did this have for the team? Was there an issue in the
team e.g. people not getting along? How did you fix it? What skills did you demonstrate?
• Skills which could be included: communication, leadership, empathy, teamwork, problem-
solving, tact, mediation, negotiation, organisation, planning, project-management,
delegating tasks etc.

Q3: Tell us about a goal that you set for yourself and how you reached it. How does this
achievement differentiate you from others? (150-word limit)

This question is testing your ability to set goals and achieve them.

Things to consider:

• Look over your CV and write out examples of where you have set and achieved a goal (try to
think of something that not everyone has done e.g. sports, societies or volunteering work.
Remember that everyone has good grades, and everyone goes to university so whilst this
will answer the question, it will not make you stand out!)
• Think about a time where you wanted to achieve something and set out a plan to do so. This
could be anything but try to make your experiences stand out as Jefferies also ask, “How
does this achievement differentiate you from others?”.
• Think about the process of achieving the goal e.g. what steps did you take to achieve the
goal? Did you set yourself regular tasks? Did you set short term goals to achieve a bigger
goal at the end? How did you ensure you were on track to meeting your goals? How did you
measure success? Did you face any setbacks? If so, how did you overcome them? What skills
are demonstrated through achieving your goal?
o Determination, resilience, planning, organisation, proactivity, managing
expectations, reflection, receiving criticism, adaptability and improving
• Remember to be selective with your example and unique

Q4: Please give brief examples of technical projects/work that you have worked on
which has allowed you to demonstrate your strongest technical competencies. (300 word
limit)

This question is testing your ability to identify your transferrable skills for the role/division you
have applied for. It is highly recommended that you plan before answering this question. It is
also an opportunity to differentiate yourself from other applicants. Follow the steps:
• Write out on a paper your understanding of what happens on a day-to-day basis in this
division and what the technical aspects of an intern/analyst role are (check with your
peers interested in the same division if your thoughts align with theirs and the Jefferies
website)
• Based on what happens on a day-to-day basis, write down the list of technical skills
(quantitative, rigorous researching, critical thinking, problem solving etc.) required to do
the role
• Look over your CV and write out examples of where you have demonstrated the key
skills you have identified
• The answer is 300 words so make sure you provide sufficient information about what
you choose and ensure you highlight the technical skills developed throughout that
project/work.
SEO London: Jefferies Application Guidance
• Try to use examples that bring out your unique story

Useful links:
• Jefferies Website
• Jefferies Annual Reports
• Diversity at Jefferies
• Benefits and Programs
• Read Jefferies Insights website to understand the company’s perspectives, ideas and insights on
the markets and their areas of focus
• Jefferies: Strategic Content and Perspectives

4. Numerical and Verbal Reasoning Assessments

Numerical Reasoning test

This test will examine your ability to understand data quickly and accurately. The data can
be presented to you in various forms including within tables and pie charts. You can typically
be given 1 minute to read the question and analyse the data to perform the necessary
calculations. Usually in these tests you will be given multiple choice answers to the question
and required to select the correct answer from the list.

Verbal Reasoning Test

These questions will require you to read some text and deduce which statement is true or
false based on the information given.

How to prepare?
• Before you begin the test ensure you are prepared to analyse data quickly – have a pen,
paper and calculator to hand
• It is difficult to predict the questions that could be asked and therefore it is essential you
practice some numerical reasoning tests before hand to increase your comfort and
confidence in analysing data within tight time constraints.
• If you are running out of time we would encourage you to select an answer (no answer
will guarantee you a 0 score on that question so if you are running out of time we
encourage you to make the best educated guess you can).

Practice: There are lots of sites to practice numerical and verbal reasoning tests. Speak with
the Careers team at your university to see if they are already to subscribed to any which you
can access as a student! Please see below some free tests below which you can use to
practice:

- http://practice.cappassessments.com/
- https://www.practiceaptitudetests.com/numerical-reasoning-tests/
- https://www.jobtestprep.co.uk/free-numerical-reasoning-test
- https://www.assessmentday.co.uk/
- https://www.graduatesfirst.com/numerical-reasoning/

5. How to inform SEO London of your submitted application and its progress

SEO London provide support throughout Jefferies application process. Once you have submitted an
application please complete this tracker informing us.* As your application progresses please do go
SEO London: Jefferies Application Guidance
back and update your tracker as well as email banking@seo-london.org stating the assessment type
you have reached and the deadline.

For final round interviews / assessments SEO London will provide:

• Prep Material
• Introduction to an alumnus that has been through the process (only for in person interviews)

*example

Please note you must complete SEO London’s 2021 Jefferies Application
Tracker to gain SEO support and be considered you for an SEO
Recommendation.