questions

Question 1

JP Morgan facts

Answer 1

Ranked number 5 on the world’s most admired company list

During the global financial crisis of 2008, JP Morgan played a pivotal role in stabilizing the financial markets. It acquired Bear Stearns and Washington Mutual, helping to prevent further collapse in the industry.

JPM aims to facilitate $2.5 trillion to address climate change and contribute to sustainable development.

Since 2021, they have financed and facilitated $482 billion toward this Sustainable Development Target.
Engage with their clients who operate in carbon-intensive industries, with the goal of accelerating the low-carbon transition that will set a path for global net zero emissions by 2050.

They have a carbon assessment framework in place which is a method that is used to quantify emissions associated with an organization and how to manage them.

2 years in a row, 1st on the Evident AI index which is a benchmark for AI adoption and performance. They said JPM “continue to radically outperform the wider market in AI research, helping preserve its position as the banking leader for innovation.

30 billion towards racial equality

Question 2

Tell me about yourself?

Answer 2

My name is Taha I’m 17 years old and I’m currently in year 13. My predicteds are AAA in Maths Economics and Chemistry respectively.

I’m a very social person and that has stemmed from me being involved in different sports teams throughout my life. so I’d say interpersonal skills and building relationships are definitely one of my strong points.

I’d say I’m a very rational person when making decisions as I always look at the pros and cons and then trust my instinct.

I play for Buckinghamshire U18s county and Farnham royal cricket clubs’ 1st XI. I’m also a black belt in karate and is something I’m passionate about

Developed many transferable skills over the years. Adaptability from cricket where you must change your approach or stick to your plan depending on what the opposition is doing. Also, analytical skills, being the captain I often have meetings with the coaches to discuss opposition players, any weaknesses they may have and tactics.
Karate requires lots of hard work and discipline.

I like going to the gym as I agree that a healthy body is a healthy mind and it’s a really good outlet to get away from the stresses of academics and anything going on in life

I’ve spent the last year or so gaining as much knowledge as i can about this field and gaining relevant work experience. A way i achieved that is through sessions with a CEO of a single-family office to understand factors in wealth management and investment decisions. I also had sessions with a local mortgage broker completing KFI’s to understand home and bridge loan lending.

Leader of econ club

Question 3

Why JP Morgan?

Answer 3

I’m a very ambitious person and I know being at JPM I’ll always have to be at the top of my game and constantly be challenged which is something I’ll enjoy. The reputation JPM has in the industry is second to none and i want to work at a company that will help my personal development.
The company offers so many opportunities for students like me to grow and excel in the field. One of those is this apprenticeship scheme which the company has invested a lot of money and manpower into it and I’m grateful for the opportunity to hopefully join the team and make a real difference.

One thing that stood out to me whilst doing research of all these banks was definitely the ESG targets. JPM has set. 2.5 trillion to address climate change and sustainable development. On top of that, I was really impressed by the carbon assessment framework JPM implemented in 2022. In simple terms it was an approach to measure GHG and quantify and manage organisations that are pretty carbon intensive.

For the second consecutive time, JPMorgan Chase took the top spot in the Evident AI Index, an independent benchmark for commercial AI adoption and performance in financial services. Front runners in something I’m passionate about. Evident noted that JPMorgan Chase “continues to radically outperform the wider market in AI research, helping to preserve its position as the banking leader for Innovation.” This perfectly aligns with my aspirations of working at a firm that embraces technology

I first heard about JPM through one of my schoolteachers who’s also brown like me who used to work there. How well she spoke about the environment and how included her team made her first feel attracted me to the company. 30 billion towards racial equality which shows how serious jpm are towards diversity and inclusion.

JPM Chase ranked number 5 on the world’s most admired company list and it wasn’t for no reason.

“Are you reading the news or are you making the news?” and i want to be part of a team that is making a real difference in the industry and are front runners in everything they do which is a big reason for me applying here.

Question 4

Why finance?

Answer 4

The dynamic nature of the financial initially attracted me. How companies like JPM are embracing advancements in technology and innovation is something I’m drawn to. How things like fintech and advanced analytics will shape the future is something that interests me.

As cheesy as it is, the cliché of no day is like the last is something that resonated with me. It’s a constantly changing field that requires you to be on the ball and alert all the time. I get bored easily but i just can’t envision that happening with finance
Insights into career paths through close family and friends and nothing stood out to me. I feel like with my personality, this is what aligns with me best

I first heard about the concept of finance and even the term finance when I was about 9 or 10 and we watched The Big Short. Starting year 12, I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do with my life. Purely out of boredom, I watched the movie again but this time I was way more interested as i had a better understanding of what the movie was about. I did my own research and that’s when I found out JPM acquired Bear Sterns and Washington Mutual and this played a massive part in stabilizing financial markets and preventing further collapse which is another reason JPM stands out to me.

Finance has that stigma of being high pressure and constantly on tight deadlines etc but for me, that’s not something that has deterred me, hence why I chose this field over others. I’ve been in high-pressure situations throughout my entire life during sports and I find that’s when I perform at my best anyway. The way I see it is if I’m doing something I am passionate about and take pride in, I’ll always deliver to the best of standards.

Joining JP Morgan’s apprenticeship program is the perfect opportunity for me to immerse myself in this field, combining academic learning with practical experience in such a reputable firm

Question 5

Why an apprenticeship?

Answer 5

Model of an apprenticeship aligns with me as a person and my learning style best. I’ve always been a hands-on learner and I feel like I do best in environments where I can actively engage with the tasks and apply what I’m learning. Sitting down in lectures for hours on end sounds very mundane to me and I feel like I’ll just be wasting 3-4 years of my life. The only part I want to experience is moving out and gaining independence which is one of the reasons I applied to the Exeter apprenticeship and not London.

I would much rather gain 4 years of experience in the corporate world collaborating with experienced professionals where i can learn from my seniors and colleagues and progress my career at JPM all at the same time. On top of everything, I’ll have a degree in applied finance from a Russel group uni as well which just sounds like a no brainer to me.

Moreover, the emphasis on mentorship and support within J.P. Morgan’s apprenticeship program is a key factor in my interest. The prospect of learning from seasoned professionals and receiving guidance throughout my academic and professional journey is invaluable to me.

I’m very good at prioritising tasks and balancing my life in general. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid. My parents have always kept us extremely busy with extracurriculars like karate cricket swimming. Therefore, it’s been up to me my whole life to balance my studies with my social life and my extracurriculars and so far, I’ve been doing well in them all.

Question 6

What would you say is your greatest weakness?

Answer 6

I’d say my greatest weakness is being overly critical of myself. This has stemmed from losing in sport. I hate losing. Especially as a team because it hurts more. When we lose, I often start questioning my ability.

I have been working on this with my 1st team captain. After we’ve lost a game, he’ll often come up to every player in the team and say forget about what happened out there. Tell me 3 good things you did today. This helps me reassure myself. I now tend to look at the positives because at the end of the day, every loss is a learning curve and an opportunity to be better

Question 7

What would you say is your greatest strength?

Answer 7

My greatest strength would have to be my self-discipline. Stemmed from my years of extracurriculars. Played a huge role in getting my black belt and making it to such high-level cricket.

There are days when I don’t feel like doing anything but I always remind myself there’s someone out there doing more than me. This is enough for me to get up and do what I need to do. It has played a huge role in maximising efficiency throughout the day and building a strong work ethic for me.

I wake up at 6 am everyday without fail which allows me to do so much more. I need this discipline to balance everything in my life

Question 8

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Answer 8

I see myself hopefully at JPM engaging with the many opportunities for career advancement that JPM offers, taking on increasing responsibilities, and being able to apply any skills i gain through this apprenticeship

In the long term, I envision myself at JPM in a leadership position, maybe leading a team, where I can influence decision-making and contribute to the success of the bank.

I’m hopeful that given this opportunity my self-discipline and hard work will help me climb up the ladder slowly until i am where I want to be.

Question 9

How do you handle challenges or setbacks?

Answer 9

Faith in my religion is strong and as a Muslim we believe in something called NASEEB.

The idea of everything in your life has already been written and everything happens for a reason.

I’ll change my approach, or I’ll try harder If that doesn’t work, there is no shame in asking for help.

My perseverance is one of my best qualities, but it can also be a bad thing as knowing when to concede is a key quality to have. So, finding the balance is what I’m working on as a person.

Question 10

What skills or qualities do you think make you a good candidate?

Answer 10

goals-oriented person -my hardwork and discipline always help me get there.

Interpersonal skills

The ability to balance my extracurriculars and academics is something I’ve built through the past 11 years in karate are some of my key qualities.

Coupled with this, adaptability and problem-solving is something I’ve had to do my entire life being the captain of numerous cricket teams.

To win, you have to work as a team and create plans and adapt to what your opposition is doing and i feel like this goes hand in hand with working in a fast-paced constantly changing environment like the finance industry

Question 11

How do you stay informed about current financial market trends and industry developments?

Answer 11

Leaderof economics club at school so i read the Economist and financial times to stay up to date with changes in markets and economies. Me and someone else take turns making powerpoints to present o other members of the club.

Dad is involved in stocks and often asks me to research S&P 500 companies and how their stocks are performing in terms of the best ROI.

I follow key influencers and industry experts on social media platforms and use their expertise and analysis to enhance my understanding of market trends.

Something I was reading recently is how the company Meta’s stocks have soared quite literally overnight and the company has added over $200 billion to its value. Something that intrigued me as I do believe the future is very technology orientated and this proves it.

Question 12

Which is better, meeting a deadline or doing a perfect job?

Answer 12

Prioritise deadline

Question 13

Describe a time where you had to demonstrate flexibility

Answer 13

Meeting deadline/covering for another person

Question 14

Can you talk about a time you had to change your approach quickly to achieve a goal

Answer 14

Cricket

Question 15

Name a time you convinced someone to do something

Answer 15

Got my friend to apply to apprenticeship instead of uni and he managed to get it

Question 16

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Answer 16

I see myself hopefully at JPM engaging with the many opportunities for career advancement that JPM offers, taking on increasing responsibilities, and being able to apply any skills i gain through this apprenticeship

In the long term, I envision myself at JPM in a leadership position, maybe leading a team, where I can influence decision-making and contribute to the success of the bank.

I’m hopeful that given this opportunity my self-discipline and hard work will help me climb up the ladder slowly until i am where I want to be.

Question 17

Can you provide an example of a time when you had to work as part of a team to achieve a common goal? How did you contribute to the team’s success?

Answer 17

Cricket 1st XI playing 2nd place. This was a game for promotion

Everyone had designated roles and clarity on what was required of them

However, squad is filled with egos when playing at high level, so it was difficult at times to navigate my way around as I’m the youngest person in the squad. So learning to work with difficult people in a team is a skill I’ve gained

My role in the team was to be a wicket taking aggressive bowler. I done this well as at the end of the season i got the award for highest wicket taker and bowler of the year.

In this game for promotion, i was asked to come on at a difficult time and bowl to the plan in order to defend the runs. I got their main batsman out which was a key reason for success

Wouldn’t have been possible without the high team morale and a strong relationship with other players

Question 18

Describe a situation where you had to communicate complex information to a group of people. How did you ensure clarity and understanding?

Answer 18

Haaris dad or 11+

Question 19

Tell me about a challenging situation you faced during a project. How did you adapt to unexpected changes, and what was the outcome? If asked about challenging financial problem, speak about how your dad invested in wrong stock.

Answer 19

March DofE practice expedition to North Wales for 4 days 3 nights.

Groups of 6. 3 boys 3 girls. Group was very tightknit, and we were all very good friends

Had to learn how to work around each other as spending 24 hours a day for 4 days with people can lead to a bit of tension and fallouts. I feel like us being so tightknit helped stop that

The challenging situation came on the second day where our designated map reader took a wrong turn, and we only realised several kms later.

We were all tired and fed up which led to a buildup of tension and as group leader it was my job to diffuse it.

I had to explain that it was going to be a very long 2 days if we can’t get along and gave the idea to retrace our steps until we recognise where we are on the map. This resulted in us reaching our campsite for the night before it became too dark.

Question 20

Provide an example of a time when you took on a leadership role, even if informally, within a group or project. How did you motivate and guide others?

Answer 20

Captain of my areas MCC hub. 64 teams, final 2 play at Lords, the home of cricket

5 knockout fixtures to get to the final. Played well in all of them and my performances were documented on local blogs and all forms of social media. Matches were livestreamed and the final at Lords gained 5000 viewers.

The way i motivated and guided the team was purely through my attitude. Even during tough times when the opposition was on top, i had my head up and kept motivating the guys that it’s never over until the end.

My teams performance and mine and the coaches decisions and tactics allowed us to win the 5 knockout games however we lost the final to Manchester.

Very tight game and i learned a lot about myself as a person and a leader after the loss

Question 21

How do you handle disagreements or conflicts within a team setting? Can you share a specific example?

Answer 21

I tutor 11+ kids. Disagreements with parents.

Fights in my cricket team where emotions get high etc

Dofe conflict

Question 22

Tell us about a time you showed honesty and integrity?

Answer 22

National karate tournament at Sheffield

I was fighting someone who had a similar reputation to me in these tournaments

We were in a scuffle and his back turned towards me. I punched the back f his head which isn’t allowed for safety reasons

The judges are sat on the 4 corners of the mat with one main judge who is on the mat with us. The 2 judges whose angle wasn’t clear gave me the point then they came together to confer what had happened

I could’ve easily let them confer and potentially get a point from an illegal shot.

However, it just wouldn’t sit right with me if i won like that and it tested my morals.

Telling white lies can easily develop into a bad habit which could just lead to a spiral of lies to coverup an original lie.

Me as a person I’m always the first to take responsibility for my actions and that’s just something that’s been instilled in me from a young age

Question 23

Describe a time when you had to meet a tight deadline. How did you prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively?

Answer 23

I pride myself in being organised. I use an app called my timetable. Colour rate the urgency and importance of each task and which ones to give priority to.

In school, during economics club, we were split into groups and assigned a huge project on economic sustainability with only 3 days to complete it. My group was made up of 4 people. A few days later, one of my partners fell sick and then I took the initiative to designate their share of the workload amongst the rest of us.

Had to make more time for it by putting things that weren’t as important on hold, like pieces of work with a later deadline.

I do believe effective and clear communication can solve a lot of problems so in my case that was delegating work to my team mates and making sure everyone had clarity on what was required of them

Question 24

How would you approach building and maintaining positive relationships with clients or stakeholders?

Answer 24

I’m sociable and quite an extrovert. Building relationships with clients and colleagues would be by far the easiest part of the apprenticeship for me. Getting to know people and building real connections is something I’m good at. I would approach them maybe over a nice dinner and get to know as much about them as possible.

Question 25

Describe a situation where you had to analyse and interpret financial data to make a strategic decision

Answer 25

During sessions with the CEO of a single-family office, I was presented with a case study example of the expansion of a coffee company into different countries. I was given a few simple details regarding the revenue, profit, assets and liabilities of the company. I was also given the company’s long-term objective and what goals they had set to get there

Provided with stats like % of coffee drinkers of the potential countries or size of population or coffee preferences in countries like Australia Norway Saudi Arabia etc

Was told to decide using the given information and then present it to him like I was speaking to aliens who have no clue what’s going on

After analysing the stats, I decided to expand to Saudi Arabia. This was due to the rapid economic growth and expansion that was taking place. I saw it as an opportunity for business growth as we offered coffee beans aligned with the preferences of countries in the Middle East

Question 26

Can you tell us about your understanding of the financial services industry and its current trends?

Answer 26

In terms of current trends, several notable shifts are shaping the financial services landscape. One main trend is the increasing integration of technology, particularly with the rise of fintech. The industry is witnessing a transformation due to digital innovation, such artificial intelligence, automation and advanced analytics, which are enhancing efficiency, security, and customer experiences.

Additionally, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations are gaining importance. There is a growing emphasis on sustainable and socially responsible investing, reflecting a broader societal awareness of the environmental and ethical impacts of financial decisions.

These are both things JPM has invested heavily into (spk about the CSR facts)

Question 27

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the financial industry today?

Answer 27

The financial industry is navigating several significant challenges, which reflects the dynamic nature of global markets. One of these challenges is the increasing reliance on technology and the associated risks that come with it. Particularly in the realm of cybersecurity. With the growing awareness of digital transactions and the integration of fintech i feel safeguarding sensitive financial information has become paramount. Financial institutions need to continuously invest in robust cybersecurity measures to protect against evolving cyber threats.

The industry is also grappling with the increasing emphasis on sustainability and ESG considerations (mention JPM initiatives). As awareness grows, financial institutions must integrate responsible and sustainable practices into their operations and investment strategies.

Additionally, the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) and the potential disruption it poses to traditional banking models is a noteworthy challenge. Financial institutions must assess how to adapt to this changing landscape and leverage the advantages of emerging technologies

[DeFi, short for Decentralized Finance, is a new way of doing financial activities using blockchain technology. Unlike traditional banks, DeFi doesn’t rely on middlemen. Instead, it uses smart contracts on blockchain platforms, like Ethereum, for things like lending, borrowing, trading, and earning interest. DeFi aims to make financial services more open and accessible, letting people participate directly from their cryptocurrency wallets.]

Question 28

How would you handle a situation where you had conflicting priorities or demands on your time?

Answer 28

Prioritisation and being able to adapt when new tasks arise is important

I would communicate with relevant stakeholders or team members to provide transparency about my workload and discuss priorities. Open communication is crucial in such situations to align expectations and, if necessary, negotiate deadlines or delegate tasks when appropriate.

Additionally, I believe in proactively seeking assistance or guidance when needed. If there are conflicting demands that require additional support, I would not hesitate to collaborate with team members or seek input from mentors to ensure successful outcomes.

Question 29

Describe a recent financial news story that caught your attention and explain its implications for the industry.

Answer 29

interestrates could be decreasing soon which means more borrowing from banks and more consumer spending whiuch boosts aggregate demands

Something I was reading recently is how the company Meta’s stocks have soared quite literally overnight and the company has added over $200 billion to its value. Zuckerburg has now overtaken Gates on the Forbes list. Something that intrigued me as I do believe the future is very technology and AI-orientated and this proves it.

Elon musk neuralink chip implant

Question 30

Questions to ask:

Answer 30

What route did you take to get to where you are today and what challenges did you have to overcome along the way?

what qualities would your ideal apprentice have if you were to take one on your team?

If I’m successful, What would be one thing I should watch out for and one thing that I should be excited about?

What’s one thing you’d tell your 18-year-old self if you could go back in time?

What is your team in specific working on and how does it align with JP Morgan’s goals?

How does the company approach work-life balance and employee well-being?

Are there any specific projects or initiatives at J.P. Morgan that you find particularly exciting or impactful?

What one piece of advice would you give an aspiring apprentice like me, to have a successful career at JP Morgan?

Can you provide more insights into the structure and dynamics of the team I would be joining if successful?

How does the company support professional development and continued learning for apprentices?

What’s one thing that attracted you to JP Morgan instead of another bank?

As an insider, how would you describe the culture at JP Morgan?