December 2006: After four years of studying financial economics I was in the penultimate year of my studies and had to secure a gap year of internships in order to fulfil my degree course...

Like all students, I had applied to all of the major investment banks by completing the strenuous online application forms for summer and other off-cycle placements. I had displayed all the deep (and sincere) motivations and passions I had in life, passed all the verbal and numerical tests, met all the bankers and traders at job fairs; everything you have to do to finally obtain the sacred grail - the face-to-face interview.