Interviewer asked me to rank myself 1-10, should I have done anything different?
I had a phone screen for a mid-BB last summer for SA24 and they asked me to rank myself in excel skills, knowledge of accounting, etc.
I tried not to come off as baggy and say I was 10/10 on everything as I don't think that would come off well, I was realistic and explained all my answers. For example, on the modeling question I said I had built DCF / LBO models but haven't done complex leverage models, etc. so I said an 8/10.
Never got a call back (obviously why I'm writing this post) and wondered if anyone has any information on how banks use the responses. Do they just interview every kid who says that they're a 10/10 on everything?
I was trying to avoid being cocky but also didn't want to undersell myself. Looking back I wonder if I should have just said 10/10 or 9/10 on everything or most things in hopes of increasing my chances at moving on. I was surprised they asked this question in the first place, as any technical skills would definitely be figured out later on in the process and anyone could say they're great at everything over a phone call.
Honestly think 8/9 is the best range if you say 10 and they ask you something that you don't know you look silly can also make a light joke and say the 10 is the people who are at the excel championship
Based on the insights from Wall Street Oasis, it's generally advisable to balance honesty with confidence during interviews, especially when asked to self-assess skills like Excel, accounting, or financial modeling. Here’s a breakdown of how you might approach this in future interviews:
Be Honest but Confident: It's good that you avoided claiming a perfect score across the board, which can come off as unrealistic or arrogant. However, it's also crucial to confidently convey your strengths. For instance, if you rated yourself an 8/10 in modeling because you haven't done complex leverage models, that's a fair assessment. You might add that you are eager and quick to learn, which shows both humility and a growth mindset.
Provide Context for Your Ratings: When you give yourself a rating, briefly explain why. This helps interviewers understand your self-assessment and see your self-awareness. For example, saying you're an 8/10 in DCF/LBO models because you've built them but haven't explored more complex scenarios shows you know your current limits but have a solid foundation.
Express Willingness to Improve: Banks look for candidates who are not only skilled but also keen to enhance their abilities. Mentioning your enthusiasm for further training or taking on challenging tasks can be a plus.
Understand the Purpose of the Question: Often, such questions are not just about gauging your current skill level but also testing your honesty, self-awareness, and ability to self-evaluate. Banks might not necessarily favor those who claim to be perfect in everything but rather those who demonstrate a realistic understanding of their skills and a readiness to develop further.
Follow-Up: If you feel an interview didn't go as planned, it's sometimes helpful to send a thoughtful follow-up email, reiterating your interest in the position and your eagerness to grow in areas where you're less experienced.
In summary, while it's important not to undersell yourself, overestimating your abilities without sufficient justification can be equally detrimental. Strive for a balanced approach where you are honest about your capabilities but also clearly communicate your potential and readiness to advance your skills.
Sources: Q&A: 3rd Year PE Associate ($10bn+ AUM, MBO/LBO, equity, mezz, distressed debt), Q&A - Public Accounting to Top MBA, Brief Introduction to Banking Recruiting at the MBA Level, Ask Me Anything: Post-MBA IBD Associate at BB (NYC), Q&A: Big 4 Audit to MM IB
The 8/10 number itself is prob not the reason why you got dinged
Figure out what you are doing wrong
Good luck
hello brot.
don't take this as advice or anything, also not a bb or bank but extremely prestigious role and industry, i was asked similar questions. i said 1/10 for everything and pretty much got an offer.
Any questions like this it's useful to define the scale.
"If 1/10 is someone who has not used a computer and 10/10 is the guy who won the excel world championship, given I've spent ~100 hours practicing excel, done a few 3SM LBOs from scratch watching a tutorial, and completed XXX course, I'd give myself a 3-4/10. [Insert something about desire to learn]".
A second year analyst has easily spent over 1000 hours in excel and might rate themself a 6/10 for example. If you don't share the same rating spectrum, saying you're a 8/10 may be perceived as lacking perspective.
I feel like this question isn't actually about vetting your technicals, but your level of self awareness.
This question in isolation is not enough to ding someone, so consider other aspects of your candidacy and move on from this one question. Try put yourself in the interviewers shoes, when I interview analysts we look for good communication (incl. evidence-based answers), and humility/coach-ability.
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