Recruits urged to start from the bottom upIf you're a young graduate desirous of getting a job at the Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS), it is recommended that you first apply for an entry-level position. Entry-level positions include tellers and customer care staff.
Suzanne Donalds, senior manager of staffing, planning and performance, says the company allows for self-growth and advancement, which means that vacancies are often filled internally.
Learn about organisation
"The idea is to get into BNS first at the basic level and from there you can learn about the organisation and see the various areas you would like to explore. When there is a vacancy, the post is often-times advertised internally and most times are filled by a staff member."
For entry-level positions, the minimum qualification is an associate degree, along with five CSEC subjects, including maths and accounts.
When sending out appli-cations, Donalds says: "Re-member to sign the cover letter and to have the name of the correct bank, because if you don't, it shows that you have taken little time to go through it.
"If there's an area you want to pursue, put it. If you are not sure, list all the possible areas," she advises.
Extra-curricular activities
Participation in extra-curricular activities at university is a key feature which BNS associates with being a team player.
If you are granted an interview, the manager says most questions focus on one's behaviour and attitude.
Therefore, Donalds says when questions are asked, interviewees will need to be able to respond using demonstrations and examples from past experiences.
latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com.
