You are on: Essay Tips

Writing an essay is an excellent opportunity to set yourself apart from other candidates. Show us your personality. We want to read an essay that shows us your creativity, critical thinking and communication skills. Consider the topic and look for ways to get the most important messages across, while sharing some of your more unique ideas and inspirations.

1. Define the angle of your essay:
   • What’s the format?
   • Who’s your audience?
   • What are the most important points you need to get across?
2. Do your homework.
   • Learn about the company you’re applying for. Do some research on the topic to help you put it in context. Take a look at what RBC and other companies have done in response to the issue. You’ll likely learn something you never expected and can use it to support your idea even further.
3. Plan your essay ahead of time.
   • Before getting wound up with information overload and an impending deadline, prepare what you’re going to say and when. This way, your thoughts will be clear, organized and will impress anyone who reads your essay.
4. Build your framework.
   • Spend extra time deciding how you want to define your idea and then make sure you can support it thoroughly. A strong idea is a good starting point, but make sure that you have the substance to support your reasoning.
5. Last, but not least, revise!
   • Give yourself a day or two to look it over – and don’t be afraid to rewrite it! The first draft is never as good as the third. Look for ways to make your argument stronger, your thoughts clearer and grammar better!

You are on: The Interview

A successful interview stems from being able to convey who you are as an individual and what you bring to the table as a candidate. To make the most of your interview, keep these steps in mind:

• Do your research, learn about the company and come prepared with a variety of questions and notes to help you get the most out of the limited time you may have at the interview.
• Listen carefully. Ask for clarification if necessary. Answer completely. Try to use recent examples.
• Illustrate your examples with experiences from previous jobs, internships, activities, team involvements and community services. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the role and how you might approach success if selected.
• When asked a behavior-based question, frame your answer in three steps:
  1. Talk briefly about the situation
  2. Detail how you handled the issue
  3. Discuss the positive outcome (Situation > Action > Result).

Finally, dress appropriately. The RBC Career Launch interviews will be hosted via WebEx. We’re expecting you to present yourself as you would an in-person meeting.

You are on: The Selection Process

Once all applications have been received, a lottery process will democratically narrow down the number of candidates in each city. Based on the application form, essay and a phone pre-screen interview, the number of candidates will be narrowed further.

These candidates will then participate in interviews hosted via WebEx, and, if successful, will be placed on a shortlist for the city for which they’ve been selected. Candidates selected for an interview must provide a transcript and copies of documents indicating that they meet the eligibility criteria to qualify for the program.

Candidates who have successfully completed the interview stage will be required to attend an in-person panel session in the city for which they’ve been selected. The local panel will make the final selection.

If selected for the position, candidates will be required to travel to Toronto for a two-day orientation at the beginning of the contract start date as well as for a two-day closing event upon completion of the program. All expenses will be covered by RBC.