If you’re wondering how to get a job at JP Morgan, good grades and the ability to generate innovative ideas is a good place to start. But JP Morgan careers attract highly-qualified candidates with degrees from fancy schools, so be ready for some fierce competition.
A career at JP Morgan comes with various benefits. The most important benefit of them all is that you’ll get to develop your financial knowledge and skills at the largest bank in the United States. With a net worth of $2.87 trillion and over 250,000 employees, JP Morgan is a coveted destination for workers in the financial sector.
This in-depth guide will show you how to move your resume to the top of the stack and land a job at JP Morgan.
JP Morgan: Company Background
JP Morgan is a pioneer firm in the financial sector with roots in the late 18th century. It all started with the renowned yet controversial Manhattan Company, founded by the famous political rivals Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.
In 1808, the Manhattan Company got permission to sell clean water to New York’s citizens, which contributed to its early growth and led to the acquisition of the New York Manufacturing Company and the Chemical Manufacturing Company. In 1955, the Manhattan Bank merged with Chase National Bank, becoming Chase Manhattan Bank.
When Chase Manhattan merged with JP Morgan in 2000, it became JPMorgan Chase. Steady consolidation over the years has transformed JP Morgan into a reliable financial company and America’s largest bank.
What’s It Like to Work at JP Morgan?
JP Morgan is a major bank with a multifaceted operation. Employees in all areas of the company stay productive over long hours, yet most claim that they don’t take their work home with them. Generous salaries and plenty of learning opportunities make JP Morgan a solid place to work.
According to Indeed, employees give the working conditions at JP Morgan 3.9 out of 5 stars. Below are three defining features of its corporate culture.
Multitasking
JP Morgan is just like any bank in terms of daily activities. While you can expect some repetition, multitasking will definitely be part of your normal routine. Most banks are dynamic places to work, so you bet that the largest bank of them all will demand a lot out of you. You will need to be productive, and be prepared to tolerate pressure from your superiors.
Inclusivity and Intimacy
JP Morgan expects employees to understand how the company operates at all levels. For this reason, people in tech jobs are encouraged to interact with the non-tech folks, and vice versa. JP Morgan also works to foster diversity and inclusivity, giving space for everyone to express their opinions and share ideas with colleagues.
Learning Opportunities
JP Morgan offers a training program for all employees. And once you’re in, you’ll get to learn from talented professionals from all over the world. At such a large corporation, you’ll have countless opportunities to network with the best that the world of finance has to offer.
Getting a Job at JP Morgan
Whether you’re looking for a part-time or full-time job, you need to be able to meet JP Morgan’s standards. Before revising your CV and cover letter, do some research about the company. Learn about its services, find out what they’re looking for, and brainstorm how you can contribute to the company’s goals.
You can either apply directly or scope out internship opportunities. JP Morgan has many programs specifically targeted at students. If you fall into this category, an internship is a great way to get a head start on your professional life.
Whatever the case, showcase your skills concisely and prepare as much as you can for a potential interview.
How Hard Is It to Land a Job at JP Morgan?
In a word, hard. JP Morgan’s hiring standards are very high, so you should put a lot of effort into meeting its expectations.
Candidates for internships should have good grades and extracurriculars that set them apart from other students. According to Jamie Dimon, JP Morgan’s CEO, the company has hired 250,000 top graduates from leading universities across the globe.
If you’re applying for a full-time job, you should have some experience in the field, or at least be able to prove to them that you can make a positive impact on the company.
Applying for a Job at JP Morgan
This is the time to showcase your skills. When you apply on the JP Morgan website, you need to make sure your resume is up to date.
Remember to tailor your resume to the specific role you’re applying for, and be prepared to argue in your cover letter why your unique experience qualifies you for that particular job.
If you’re a student, you may think that you lack experience in the field. If you took any relevant course, however, or even if you participated in some kind of relevant event, you can and should put that on your CV. Everything helps.
JP Morgan Application and Interview Process
Once the hiring managers have gone through your resume, they’ll call you if they decide they want to interview you. Take advantage of this moment to practice how to answer tough interview questions, and try to remember any additional experience that may help you succeed in an interview setting.
It’s important to study up on the role you’re applying for. Pay attention to the news and stay up to date on the latest trends, products, and services in the financial sector.
It’s also crucial to prepare a list of questions so that you can get to know the company better and your role inside it. If you’re having an online meeting or phone interview, make sure you have a good internet connection and a quiet room where you’ll have the interview without interruptions. This is vital to avoid any type of technical issues during the interview.
The hiring process ends when the managers convene to decide whether you’re a good fit. They’ll let you know through email.
JP Morgan Career Opportunities: Job Titles and Descriptions
While JP Morgan hires all sorts of professionals, the company is employing a growing number of tech professionals. Among other things, what the tech department at JP Morgan works on are web products and mobile apps designed to streamline the company’s financial services.
Below are some of the career opportunities you can find at JP Morgan.
Python Software Engineer
- Salary: Up to $107,000
- Benefits: Career development and career advancement opportunities
- Level: Student or recent graduate
- Required Experience: None
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science
Python is the programming language of choice for investment banking companies, and JP Morgan is no exception. This job for a Python software engineer to solve quantitative issues, carry out sophisticated statistics calculations, and help automate processes.
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Cloud and Big Data Architect
- Salary: Up to $149,000
- Benefits: N/A
- Level: Experienced professional
- Required Experience: Minimum one year of experience working with data
- Required Education: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science
Banks accumulate a lot of data and sensitive financial information. Therefore, they need to have a secure and private way to store it all. In essence, JP Morgan is looking to hire a cloud and big data architect to improve the company’s information technology operation. If you know anything about cloud architecture, this could be the job for you.
Machine Learning Engineer
- Salary: $150,000
- Benefits: N/A
- Level: Experienced professional
- Required Experience: Seven years of experience
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or equivalent
Machine Learning engineering is used in the banking sector to improve the digital interface with customers. With insights from machine learning, banks can adapt to users’ likes and dislikes and improve the overall user experience. The technology can also be used to streamline basic services, like reminding customers when it’s time to pay their bills.
In general, a machine learning engineer will improve financial operations inside the bank so that customers have a seamless experience. If you’re looking to brush up on your knowledge in this area, here are some machine learning interview questions that you might find useful.
What Does It Take to Get a Job at JP Morgan?
If you’d like a career at JP Morgan, you should have all the hard and soft skills that the role demands. JP Morgan hires professionals from all backgrounds, but keep in mind that it’s always good to have some banking knowledge and understand how the company does business. Also, remember that working at a large bank could put you under a lot of pressure.
If you don’t have a background in financial services, you shouldn’t see that as a flaw. Be proud of and embrace your unique experiences and talents. Your transferable skills and relatable backstory might be the thing that gets you the job you want.
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