Internal Trades Product Controller

My interview experience was rather interesting to say the least. Applied online through their career portal in early September. Received an email by early October with a request to schedule an initial phone interview with an HR Manager out of their New York Office.

The phone interview was essentially a screening process to describe it best. Almost felt like a check-list review of my resume where I provided brief descriptions to accompany my educational background and past work process. The phone interview lasted about 25 minutes. Struck it off with the HR lady with a 2-3 minute chit-chat about my Alma mater. It's a Big Ten school and she was en route to one of their ball games in a few weeks. Had to pull an all out "Die Hard School/Football Spirit" for this conversation because, personally, I could care less about Football and all that to be honest.Good news! A few days later hear back from HR stating my consideration for 2nd Round Interviews.

The in-person interviews lasted a little over 2 hours. The process was structured as 30 minute 1-to-1s with two managers and two VPs. First interviewer was a VP. Had this entire aura around him as though he woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning (or perhaps he just has a very bad personality, who knows). High point of the interview (or low depending on perspective), he started out his career with Bear Sterns. It ended as a result of the entire 2008 financial end-of-the-world bankers are all gonna die scenario. I certainly had lots of questions on that point, and obviously he had lots to say.

Second interviewer, a manager who initially started his career with MS in London then moved to the US. Seemed like a really smart guy and that's not just because of the whole American awe with fancy English accencts and whatnot...he literally gave me a pop quiz on financial concepts and transactions at the end of our interview. 1) What's a put option? What's a call option? 2) What are derivatives 3) Acct: How would you fully record a sale of equities on a company's books. Screwed up Q1 in the sense that I knew the precise definition for those two but had them reverse. In my defense they're two sides of one coin.

Third interviewer, the other manager. Super chill personality. Seemed more concerned about me being reliable, showing up on time/early when needed, and putting in those extra hours when time called for it. To my understanding, the job involves lots of interaction with Traders out of NY. Literally said he could fu#$%* care less about managing my work as long as I was at my desk on time everyday. Ok

Fourth interviewer (dry mouth and a little exhaustion setting in), the cool guy! Another Londoner, surprisingly, who made the same career move from London, UK to Baltimore, US....of all places. He gave me a reason - love can make you do crazy things. As hinted, came off as a really happy fun-loving guy though. We had more of conversation than an interview. I think he was the guy judging on personality fit.

All in all, great interview. Didn't get the job I applied for. How did I find out? Two weeks later, on the dot, I received an email saying how about you come over to our office again to go through that entire process one more time hehh? This time for another position which we think you might be better suited for. Sure why not? I say. Head unto the office one more time but the interview was with just three individuals this time around. Won't bother describing each.

Long story, short these people all already knew I'd to the office a few weeks ago, and where just there to test me on my knowledge of my technical skills and financial aptitude. Went by rather quickly. All three in about 45 mins or so. A few weeks later I get the call. "The team would like to follow through with an offer".

One day follow-up with my acceptance email. No negotiations. Above average compensation (compared to my research on Glass door), and the position puts you even closer to interacting with a greater range of traders and dealing with a wider range of products. And heck, I quit my last job on the fly without even thinking about career prospects sooo....