What are the best Q&A threads and interviews with top finance professionals on WSO?
Here's a list of all the valuable q&a's and interviews that have been done with WSO members and professionals in their respective industries.
- Q&A with WSO Founder Patrick, Part 1 (background in IB and PE, the idea for WSO, Wharton MBA), Part 2 (the past, present, and future of WSO) - The "overlord of WSO" shares his experiences in investment banking and private equity, how WSO started, and his advice to aspiring bankers.
- HappyPantsMcgee the Interview - Words of wisdom for undergrads and newly minted workers from a strategist at a top 5 bank.
- Ask CompBanker - Veteran WSO member CompBanker, who has worked exclusively on M&A and leveraged buyouts his whole career, answers questions.
- I'm f***ing in, you're f***ing out - Kenny_Powers_CFA, with 3 years of credit analysis experience, opens himself up to questions.
- The rufiolove Interview - Part One (WSO, daily life, experiences in the industry, and advice for new hires), Part Two (entering finance, advice for prospective monkeys, and target vs. non-target) - "Power-user" rufiolove speaks on a wide range of topics and imparts some advice for aspiring financiers.
- Recruiting and Resume Advice from the Rockies - A senior account executive for investment banking recruitment gives specifics on what a recruiter is looking for, and why they don't care about your cover letter.
- Former MS M&A / KKR here to field questions - Insightful question and answer thread with 10xleverage focused on private equity.
- Former BB VP giving advice to all you wannabe bankers - VP left banking to work in natural gas sourcing, explains why, and answers questions.
- Ask a 2nd Year IB Analyst - Analyst gives back to the WSO community that helped him break into investment banking with advice for summer analyst applicants.
- 2nd year IB Analyst taking questions - Top-bucket analyst in a top coverage group of a BB investment bank discusses breaking into banking with a sub-3.5 GPA, comparisons to consulting experience.
- Interview With ThePillowPocket Founder Chad Riddersen, Part 1 (Big 4, banking, why entrepreneurship?), Part 2 (his ventures and lessons learned as an entrepreneur) - Riddersen runs through his experiences as a Big 4 audit associate and an IB analyst, as well as what he's learned about entrepreneurship thus far.
- Thinking About Actuarial Work? Why? I Mean, Read On... - A brief rundown of an actuarial career and how it differs from banking.
- Second Year IB Analyst Answering Questions - Second year banking analyst, Bigbadanalyst, draws from his own experiences to answer your questions.
- The Forgotten IBD: Big 4 Corporate Finance - onemanwolfpack answers questions about the non-accountants sitting under the accounting roof.
- Interview with duffmt6 2nd Year IBD Analyst - duffmt6 shares his unconventional route to IBD and gives a great interview.
- Ask a 2nd Year Analyst - 2nd year investment banking analyst does a great ask me anything, answering a lot of your questions.
- Exclusive Edmundo Braverman Interview, Part 1 (the Playboy article, dating, divorce, Man Week, diets, fights, writing), Part 2 (the value of a college education, his military experience, travelling, entrepreneurship, drug culture) - WSO legend gives us a look into his past, and the results are as entertaining as they are informative, touching on his military service, travel, women, divorce, rum, entrepreneurship, drug use, and the advantages and disadvantages of not attending college.
- Monty09: The WSO Interview - Energy trader based in Houston talks about his career path to this point, the energy markets today, and his yearly Energy Rodeo event.
- Ask Monty09 - Monty provides answers to questions ranging from trading to Greek cuisine in Houston.
- Ask Monty09 - Energy Trading careers, interviews, firms, etc - A more in-depth Q&A focused on the energy sector.
- Treasury Sales VP Taking Questions - Bulge-bracket government bond salesman gives some in depth answers regarding sales careers.
- Q&A with a Fixed Income Trader at a Major Bank - TheKing details how he broke into Wall Street, the 4 types of traits the best traders have, and what motivates him.
- Open for Questions - Equities in Dallas - From hedge fund intern to NYSE floor broker to BB fixed income analyst to property manager to lobbyist to head of institutional sales, with something to be learned from each stop.
- Q&A Interview with SirTradesaLot, Part 1 (background, importance of first job, meritocracy isn't dead, building an investment case), Part 2 (experience vs. brand, how to sell, walk away number), Part 3 (becoming the boss)
- 1st Year BB London Rates Trader - A 1st year analyst fields questions on his experience in S&T in Europe
- Q&A Interview with the Head of Equity Derivatives Sales, Part 1 (undergrad, grad, on the job), Part 2 (general advice)
- Ask Me Anything: I'm a Currency Volatility Trader - A currency volatility trader in London answers any and all your questions about lifestyle, breaking in, strategies, and more.
- Ask Me Anything: I'm an Equity Prop Trader - An equity prop trader in NYC answers any and all your questions about lifestyle, breaking in, strategies, and more.
- MD of Sales AMA - A young MD in the Sales division gives some great advice and answers all your questions.
- Interview with a Wandering Day Trader Part 1/2 - A day trader who travels the world shares what it's like to live the good life.
- Interview with an Independent Trader/Consultant - A trader with 17 years of experience, now independently trading and consulting, shares in this interview.
- Ask Me Anything: Physical Energy Trader - A physical energy trader with 3 years experience at a large firm answers your questions about trading, energy and internships.
- I'm an Author and Former Head ETF Trader AMA - Jared Dillian, former ETF trader at Lehmans, now author and keynote speaker at WSO Conference, does an AMA to the delight of users.
- The TheKing Interview, Part One (breaking in, compensation, who's a good fit), Part Two (education, advice for students, his next step) - One of the top WSO users explains how he broke into private equity, who is a good fit for PE, his advice for college students, and 3 tips for picking up chicks.
- Associate in Private Equity FoF - will answer questions - Associate talks about the fund of funds side of private equity, including a "day in the life" schedule.
- Private Equity Recruitment Q&A - Information on how the recruiting process operates and how it has drastically changed recently.
- Former MS M&A / KKR here to field questions - Insightful question and answer thread with 10xleverage focused on private equity.
- Q&A with WSO Founder Patrick, Part 1 (background in IB and PE, the idea for WSO, Wharton MBA), Part 2 (the past, present, and future of WSO) - The "overlord of WSO" shares his experiences in investment banking and private equity, how WSO started, and his advice to aspiring bankers.
- Q&A: PE Authors Talk Dividend Recaps, Blackstone, and Future of AM - The authors of "King of Capital" reveal why they gravitated towards Blackstone, what Steve Schwarzman's personality is like, and where they believe the industry is header.
- Ask Me Anything PE Analyst in Shanghai - Private equity in Shanghai does an AMA and shares some great advice and stories.
- Corporate Finance Q&A with accountingbyday, BJM85, STorIB, and djfiii - Everything you want to know about corporate finance, development and strategy in one well organized thread.
- The Other Road: Corporate Development Associate Fielding Questions - Associate covers various topics including why he chose corporate development over investment banking, pay scale, and how to get into a leadership development/rotational program.
- Q&A with Nefarious - a Strategy Associate at a Fortune 500 Company, Part One (how he broke in, day to day, pros and cons of strategy), Part Two (breaking in, exit opportunities, his view on the defense industry & the fiscal cliff) - Strategy associate at a Fortune 500 Aerospace & Defense company talks about the benefits of working in Corporate Development.
- The BlackHat Interview, Part 1 (background, breaking in), Part 2 (working in HF, money & motivation), Part 3 (career advice, how he advanced), Part 4 (his future, misc. tips) - BlackHat, one of WSO's top contributers, gives a all-encompassing view of his career and the hedge fund industry.
- Q&A Interview with SirTradesaLot, Part 1 (background, importance of first job, meritocracy isn't dead, building an investment case), Part 2 (experience vs. brand, how to sell, walk away number), Part 3 (becoming the boss) - With almost 15 years of experience, SirTradesaLot's thoughts are beneficial to any aspiring monkey regardless of industry.
- Q&A with Heister, "My Total Worth is North of $50 Million" - "WSO Chatroom extraordinare" Heister helps clarify how to break in with less than stellar credentials and reveals where the majority of his net worth is invested.
- Hedge Fund Guru Answering Inbox Questions Here. - Private messages are answered as Mr. Pink Money details how to become a portfolio manager, 4 keys to a successful long position on merger arbitrage, and when to make the jump from the sell side.
- 3rd Year HF Analyst Q&A - BlackHat returns for a round of questions regarding work environment, career paths, a day in the life, and does the CFA help?
- Strategist Q&A - Background, how he got a hedge fund job, sell side vs buy side, and much more.
- Former Big 4, now buy-side analyst, ask me anything - Buy-side analyst with an accounting background answers questions regarding interviews, headhunters, and more.
- Finishing 1st Year as HF Analyst, Ask Anything - 1st Year HF Analyst at a $10b+ L/S fund answers questions on how to break in, interview process, etc.
- I'm a Hedge Fund Analyst AMA - Long/short equity analyst at a large HF does an AMA and provides great insight.
- Ask a Preftigious HF Principal Anything - A humorous ask me anything by a supposedly preftigious hedge fund principal.
- Accepted Accelerated MBB FT Offer, Open to Questions - Recent hire and career counselor gives his impressions of the recruiting and interview processes.
- MBB Consultant Answering Your Questions - PrivateEmpire answers your questions about MBB.
- Interview with a Former D1 Football Player Now Consultant - Former D1 football player does an interview about his athletics, how it's helped/impeded him, and the job.
- MBB Consultant Q&A - A recent MBB-hired consultant does a Q&A and answers questions about breaking in, lifestyle, on the job, etc.
- First Year at Bain Q&A - A consultant finishing his first year at Bain does a Q&A.
- Equity Research Q&A with Flake - First year bulge bracket researcher who moved from a back/middle-office role fields questions related to entry-level topics.
- Non-BB Equity Research Q&A with First Year Analyst - A complementary view to the above Q&A, with a non-bulge bracket equity researcher providing a day in the life and other insight into working at a smaller shop.
- Unbelievable! Detailed WSO Success Story: How I Broke into Equity Research - An inspirational recap of one WSO monkey's journey to the elusive offer, including background, resume advice, and specific tips to improve your own chances.
- Equity Research Q&A with bearing - A 3rd year associate provides his tips for college students and young professionals looking to work in ER, as well as information on graduate school and exit opportunities.
- How Equity Research Works - An equity research associate at a BB provides the ins and outs of how equity research really works.
- Ask an Equity Researcher Anything - Graduating without a job, this user hit the pavement and worked his butt off to eventually get an ER position. He answers your questions in this AMA.
- Brad Feld: A Quick Q&A - Co-founder of a VC firm shares what he attributes his success to, advice for breaking in, and what "sleeper" future opportunity he's keeping his eye on - it's not big data.
- Venture Capital Associate Fielding Questions - Previous stints in banking and a hedge fund allows this venture capital associate to compare the three, and also speak on hours, type of work, and the perks of VC.
- So Many Eggs in Vee Cee - Newly minted VC analyst discusses the rocky beginning there and what venture capital actually means.
- The Frieds Interview, Part One (background, 7 pieces of non-target advice), Part Two (a typical day, mentorship, low/high points, New Jersey), Part Three (future, politics, "MBA Is A Joke") - One of WSO's top users and authors, Frieds has worked in asset management and delivers an entertaining spin on career advice.
- Interview with an Analyst That Started His Own Fund - This analyst joked about starting his own fund while in S&T and actually did it.
- Real Estate Q&A - A real estate banker gives his views on the best job to teach you how to build your own RE portfolio, what RE firms are the best, and whether getting pidgeon-holed is a concern
- REPE Answers - Originally from a non-target university, answers many career and RE-specific questions.
- Q&A With a Buyside Analyst at Real Estate Investment & Development Firm - A buyside analyst at a $5b AUM real estate investment and development firm answers your questions!
- Ask a Head of Research Commercial Real Estate Analyst - Certified user CRE answers your questions about commercial real estate lifestyle, breaking in, perks, and more!
- Biz Dev Guy @ Start-Up - karypto provides background and answers questions on what it's like to work at a start-up doing business development
- Q&A with Michael Giles, founder & CEO of Roboinvest - Financial Technology entrepreneur discusses his background and the social investing platform he founded - which recently fetched $125,000 in angel funding.
- Private Banking Q&A - Although it doesn't start out as one, this thread turns into a private banking Q&A courtesy of rogersterling59.
- Emerging Markets Investment Guide - A live and ongoing discussion for anyone interested in investing abroad.
- Harvardgrad08s Corp Dev Q&A Word Doc - All of the Q&A from harvardgrad08s corp dev thread conveniently packed into one word doc.
- Interview with Credit Risk Associate - A credit risk associate for a major US bank gives an interview and answers any questions.
- I am a Greek Citizen Ask Me Anything - A Greek citizen tells us what it's really like in Europe right now and any other questions you may have.
- I am in Ops, Ask Me Anything - An analyst in Operations gives a real and unbiased picture of what it's like to work in the back office.
- $130k/year out of College, No Networking or Contacts AMA - A user who got into a prop trading firm now makes $130k/yr without any networking and discusses his non traditional path.
- Working in Big 4 Audit - Asatar answers any questions about interning/working in Big 4 Audit in London.
- Q&A with an Executive MBA Student - Exec. MBA student at a top 15 school talks about balancing full-time work with school, reasons to pursue an MBA, and how many hours you'll need to dedicate.
- Ask Clear Admit: Can I get into a top MBA program? - MBA admissions consultant responds to queries about admissions chances.
- Ask Sandy about HBS - Seasoned business school admissions consultant lays down hard truths and realistic advice.
- MIT MFin Q&A - Q&A specific to MIT Sloan's Master of Finance program.
- B-School Q&A w/ Betsy Massar of Master Admissions - Advice from a graduate admissions consultant, focused on improving your profile and being able to talk about leadership in your application.
- 2012 Villanova MSF Q&A Thread - Current MFin student answers questions regarding MFin degree in relation to other graduate options.
- MSF Question and Answer - Your questions about the MSF application process and programs answered!
- Booth Business School Q&A - A user who spent 4+ months going through the process shares his experience and lessons learned.
- The other road: Time/Location Freedom - WSO's COO, currently working remotely from Buenos Aires, details his journeys as an ex-pat and fields questions on travel, remote-work, living as an ex-pat, and lifestyle design.
- Exclusive Edmundo Braverman Interview, Part 1 (the Playboy article, dating, divorce, Man Week, diets, fights, writing), Part 2 (the value of a college education, his military experience, travelling, entrepreneurship, drug culture) - WSO legend gives us a look into his past, and the results are as entertaining as they are informative, touching on his military service, travel, women, divorce, rum, entrepreneurship, drug use, and the advantages and disadvantages of not attending college.
- Q&A Interview with SirTradesaLot, Part 1 (background, importance of first job, meritocracy isn't dead, building an investment case), Part 2 (experience vs. brand, how to sell, walk away number), Part 3 (becoming the boss) - With almost 15 years of experience, SirTradesaLot's thoughts are beneficial to any aspiring monkey regardless of industry.
- HappyPantsMcgee the Interview. - Words of wisdom for undergrads and newly minted workers from a strategist at a top 5 bank.
- Q&A: PE Authors Talk Dividend Recaps, Blackstone, and Future of AM - The authors of "King of Capital" reveal why they gravitated towards Blackstone, what Steve Schwarzman's personality is like, and where they believe the industry is header.
- Q&A with the Founder of Open Air Publishing - Entrepreneur shares his history at Comedy Central and College Humor, getting an MBA from Wharton, and Open Air's interactive books.
- Q&A: WSOP Winner Quits the Game, Bets Big on Flowers, Plans for a Spectacular Bloom, Part 1, Part 2 (Losing 100k, Winning WSOP, and Teaching Hedge Fund Managers a Little Something) - Former winner of poker's highest honor talks about his World Series of Poker experience and poker strategy, also goes into venture capital, business school, and his newest business venture.
- Interview with Author of "BlackJack Domination" - Co-author of an interactive card counting book speaks on working at a startup and getting an MBA.
- How WSO Was Built - Patrick Interviewed on Mixergy.com - Video interview with the founder of Wall Street Oasis.
- Q&A with WSO Founder Patrick, Part 1 (background in IB and PE, the idea for WSO, Wharton MBA), Part 2 (the past, present, and future of WSO) - The "overlord of WSO" shares his experiences in investment banking and private equity, how WSO started, and his advice to aspiring bankers.
- Haymakers For Hope - Financiers Fight for a Noble Cause - Ex-Goldman Sachs analyst left to start a non-profit, here he explains why.
- Entrepreneurial Q&A with Patrick, Part 1 (motivation, the best business advice he ever got, his biggest entrepreneurial "fail," what he wishes he knew in high school), Part 2 (advice on selling a website, common networking mistakes, his favorite web tool, advice for disgruntled 9-to-5er's and aspiring entrepreneurs) - WSO founder goes more in depth regarding start ups and advice for business owners.
- Peter Schiff Interview: The Inevitable Collapse of America, Part 1 (the next financial crisis), Part 2 (how investors can protect themselves, his views on the current economic situation), Part 3 (what can be learned from the collapse of 2008) - Financial commentator and CEO of Euro Pacific Capital Peter Schiff airs his bearish view on the economy.
- Interview with an ER Associate Part 1/2- (ER associate in Canada provides great insight in this Q&A), Part 2
- Interview with a Senior Institutional Research Associate Part 1/2- (A senior institutional research associate answers qs about how he broke in, succeeding on the job, and general advice for college students), Part 2
- Interview with a Former D1 Football Player Now Consultant - Former D1 football player does an interview about his athletics, how it's helped/impeded him, and the job.
- Interview with a Top 3 Institutional Investor Ranked Analyst - Certified user WallStreetPlayboys sheds light on his career path, advice for college students, and the lifestyle.
- Interview with a Wandering Day Trader Part 1/2 - A day trader who travels the world shares what it's like to live the good life.
- Interview with an Independent Trader/Consultant - A trader with 17 years of experience, now independently trading and consulting, shares in this interview.
- Interview with an Analyst That Started His Own Fund - This analyst joked about starting his own fund while in S&T and actually did it.
- Interview with Credit Risk Associate - A credit risk associate for a major US bank shares his background, his thoughts on cold emailing, and lots more in this interview.
- Interview with Deal Team Lead Manager - The lead manager for the deal team shares his day to day and gives some great advice to set yourself apart in recruiting.
- Interview with duffmt6 2nd Year IBD Analyst - 2nd year analyst duffmt6 shares his unconventional route to IBD and gives a great interview and answers all your questions.
- Interview with Executive MBA Student - TheKing does a great interview with an executive MBA student for any prospective students.
- Interview with the Founder of Open Air Publishing - TheKing does another great interview with Jon Feldman, the founder of Open Air Publishing.
Investment Banking (IBD)
Sales & Trading (ST)
With almost 15 years of experience, SirTradesaLot's thoughts are beneficial to any aspiring monkey regardless of industry.
The Head of Equity Derivatives Sales at a UK bank provides insight on his background and career in this q&a interview.
Private Equity (PE)
Corporate Finance
Hedge Funds (HF)
Management Consulting (MBB)
Equity Research (ER)
Venture Capital (VC)
Asset Management (AM)
Real Estate (RE)
Other
MBA/Graduate degrees
Lifestyle
INTERVIEWS:


