Recruiting
Even as it trimmed staff on a global basis, RBS has been beefing up its U.S. investment bank. It added about 100 employees in 2009 and is still growing.
The bank's U.S. staff recently moved into a sleek new headquarters in Stamford, Conn., just off I-95. With room for 1,000 traders, its trading floor is the world's second largest -- UBS AG, located just across the street, has the largest. The glass-sheathed steel structure has 11 stories, a rooftop garden over a parking garage, a gym, an indoor cafe and receptionists clad in tartan-plaid blazers.
The new HQ reportedly has helped to boost morale, which has been a problem. Given the uncertainty around its stock after its bailout, share-based compensation has had less appeal to bankers. RBC cut its investment-bank compensation-to-revenue ratio to 27% from 76% in 2009.
As a ward of the state, RBS cut way back on holiday parties in 2009. Its contribution: about 10 pounds ($16) per employee -- enough to buy a pint of lager, a refill and a side of potato chips.
The firm offers a slew of tips for job seekers. A sampling below:
-- On online applications, cite specific examples of your professional style, explaining your role and impact on the results.
-- On personality assessments, always go with your gut reaction; don't try to outsmart the test.
-- In preparing for in-person interviews, practice examples to cite when answering questions and pace your answers.