Tailor your CV to the job you're after
Salah, Banking Advisor, National Bank
MTL Blog
Your CV is the first impression recruiters will get of you. It's best to keep it to one or two pages, using a template as inspiration and adjusting it to your own experience. Aim for a clear, concise and uncluttered format.
When putting together your CV, highlight your skills that match the specific job requirements. Showcase experience and skills that align with the position by carefully integrating any keywords from the job listing.
For example, Salah, a Banking Advisor, has 15 years of experience helping customers and a keen interest in finance. From the earliest stages of the hiring process, he highlighted these beneficial skills in his CV. National Bank subsequently offered him training as a Mutual Fund Representative, which shows how committed they are to employees' professional development.
For Salah, this meant the bank would pay for the training and education he needed to acquire all the essential banking skills. His Mutual Fund training — with costs covered by National Bank — demonstrates the Bank's commitment to offering its employees career development opportunities. Salah says: "To be a good Banking Advisor, you need to like serving the clients. Everything else will follow."
As long as you demonstrate the aptitude of an advisor, the Bank is there to help you develop the other skills you need to succeed.
Come to your interview with concrete answers prepared
Zeina, Investment Advisor, National Bank
MTL Blog
When preparing for your interview, reflect on your real-life experiences for concrete examples that show you have the skills listed in the job posting. They should also highlight behaviours that align with the values of the desired employer. Before your interview, check out the employer's jobs page to better understand their culture.
For example, here's a testimonial from Yacine, Customer Service Agent Recruiter with National Bank:
"I meet with candidates for Customer Service Agent positions, and I can tell when the person has taken the time to think about specific examples of job situations they've experienced. It really makes a difference because the person gives a more relevant response and answers the questions more confidently."
It's important to dispel the idea that interview prep makes the conversation less natural. On the contrary, knowing your background and achievements inside and out will help you be less stressed and more authentic during the interview. Preparation is key to a good interview. Staying true to yourself increases your chances of success at the interview and potentially being hired by National Bank.
Give concise, impactful answers during the interview
Sarah, Director of Mortgage Development, National Bank
MTL Blog
Keep your answers concise and to the point during your interview, avoiding unnecessary detail. Use "I" when sharing your personal experience.
Take an active interest in your potential employer (the Bank) by thinking of questions to ask in advance. Remember to provide clear examples that show the challenges you've overcome and the lessons you've learned. Even if this preparation helps you be more concise, feel free to ask for clarification as needed to check whether your answer is relevant to the question asked.
Mention any accommodations you require
Renande, Senior Collection Customer Service Agent, National Bank
MTL Blog
You can use your interview to find out if your potential employer values creating a welcoming environment that gives employees the freedom to thrive. If you have any special requests or accommodation measures that would enhance your interview and experience on the job, don't hesitate to mention them.
For example, National Bank highlights this commitment in the job listings on its website: "If you require accommodation, feel free to let us know during your first conversations with us. We welcome all candidates! What can you bring to our team?"
A great example to highlight is that of Renande, a Senior Collection Customer Service Agent. Renande took the initiative to explain her condition (sickle cell anemia) to her manager and was encouraged by a welcoming spirit and a genuine willingness to help.
Renande's manager regularly checks in on her, showing genuine concern for her well-being. Renande finds her manager's attitude exceptional and can feel her team is caring toward her. She appreciates that the bank has taken the time to fully understand her condition, which makes her feel even more supported within the company.
National Bank offers various accommodation measures, and for Renande, it's been a smooth process. These benefits are part of the package the Bank provides. Plus, if you need to take extended leave, the Bank's employee insurance covers it.
National Bank embodies a corporate culture centred on professional development and ongoing training, as shown by inspiring career paths such as Sarah's. She started in 2019 as a part-time Banking Advisor and is now a Mortgage Development Manager, which just goes to show how many development opportunities there are with the bank.
In addition, Zeina has grown significantly at the company. She started as a Customer Service Agent in a call centre and is now an Investment Advisor in the same department.
These real-life examples demonstrate the bank's commitment to providing opportunities for advancement and investing in the development of its employees. What's more, National Bank is committed to the well-being of its employees, taking a people-first approach.
If you have your heart set on a rewarding career in the financial sector, joining National Bank could be the first step toward reaching your professional goals.
To learn more about career opportunities in banking, check out National Bank's website.
This article was originally published in French on Narcity Québec.
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