Which areas of business do graduates recruited by JP Morgan go into?

There are seven different lines of business in which JP Morgan operate and are open to graduates across Europe. Most positions exist in operations, which covers technology, but investment banking has three core areas - corporate finance, equities and credit and rates (sometimes known as the fixed income business).

How many people do you recruit each year?

Usually we take about 300 graduates each year. But competition is fierce, with between 7,000 and 10,000 people applying for those few hundred positions.

What does the application process involve?

Our application process is 100 per cent online and is dealt with in-house, not by an external recruitment agency. Applications for all positions with JP Morgan start with the same online process. Graduates are immediately asked to select the area of business they are applying to. It’s a way for applicants to match their skills and aspirations to a job from the start and think immediately about what they can bring to the company and if they are really suitable for a life in investment banking, if that is the path they choose.

Each area of business in JP Morgan has a tailored application process after the initial online form, which can involve interviews, test sessions and group work around case studies.

When should graduates apply?

The website will have application deadline dates. It is highly competitive and getting your application in early is critical. It shows you have been thinking for a long time about working for JP Morgan and most importantly shows to your potential future employer that you’re keen to work just for them.

It really is never too early to get your application in - even almost a year before the deadline. Some areas such as operations have three entry points throughout the year, so for that section of JP Morgan’s business such advanced planning isn’t so essential.

How does JP Morgan view candidates who want to take a year out travelling after finishing university or are just unsure if they are ready to start a career in investment banking?

We are flexible to a certain degree and look at each application on a case-by-case basis. However it is important to think carefully about how taking a year out would benefit you and to be ready to demonstrate how it has better equipped you for a career with us when you do apply. If that is a path some want to take, my advice is to research your options, depending on which area of JP Morgan you want to work for, and be on the case in terms of application deadlines and what is required.

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