Q&A: Chase CIO describes what entry-level job seekers need to succeed in Fintech

With more than a quarter of a million employees, JPMorgan Chase Bank has its work cut out trying to meet open job quotas. Over the past decade, America’s largest bank has changed its IT strategy. Just like with the rest of the financial industry, the focus has been on supporting the growing digital banking business through the latest technologies, such as cloud, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

When it comes to AI/ML knowledge, recent college graduates don’t necessarily need to be experts, but they should be able to talk about the value at a high level, and be open to growth/training opportunities in these areas.

Fintech is at the forefront of digital banking development, and therefore skills related to this are crucial to being able to adapt to business needs.

Chase CIO Gill Haus, answered questions from Computerworld about how recent graduates can set themselves up for success when applying for positions in a major financial institution. The following are experts from the email-based interview:

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How many resumes does your department see each day, week or month, and what is the biggest problem you see with poorly written ones? “We have hundreds of open roles across the country, so our teams actively review candidates’ job applications to help meet the talent needs of the firm. Have a friend proofread your resume for typos before you share it with a recruiter or when applying for a job on a company’s career site. Second, tailor your CV to highlight your most relevant skills for the job you’re applying for – this will help your CV stand out.”

When it comes to entry-level positions, are you looking for more business acumen or tech acumen and why? “For entry-level positions, it’s less about what you can do than how open you are to learning new things and growing as a technologist. We look for candidates who have the skills and attitude [for] learn and collaborate with peers.”