Best reply to "Do you have any questions?"
What would be the best questions to ask at the end of an interview when the interviewer asks: Do you have any questions?
What would be the best questions to ask at the end of an interview when the interviewer asks: Do you have any questions?
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1)Ask if the interviewer wouldn't mind speaking in generals about a current deal they are working on or a recent transaction. (Shows interest in the group)
2) Ask if there is a formal mentorship program associated with the SA position where you will be matched up with an analyst to report to, or if you will float around. (Shows interest in the specific SA program as opposed to others with different firms)
3) Ask one question regarding the industry, specific to something you mentioned or the interviewer mentioned in the interview. (Shows enough knowledge of the industry to formulate a deeper question rather than just being able to regurgitate stats you have read on Bloomberg)
Just my opinion here.
bearbanker, thanks for the help, i have a few interviews lined up and want to nail 'em
I really like #1 above. #2 is iffy, because if the firm doesn't have such a program in place, it's not a good idea to put your interviewer in a position in which they're forced to say, "Nope, sorry, we don't have anything like that." As for #3, also good but bear in mind who your interviewer is. VPs and MDs would be able to speak to an industry/market, but associates might not. Other questions you might ask could be specific to the interviewer's background, taken from their brief spiel about themselves, ie "What made you want to make the switch over from F500/corporate to banking?'
Seconded the #2 part. Make sure you do some research upfront about the mentorship program. If they are not doing well with that, asking about it in the interview would make them look very bad. Not nice.
I always found success asking about the culture of the team they worked with. I would ask how they get along with their coworkers. I think the question above discussing the deal they are working on is a good one, and maybe ask about what their life is like on a day to day basis (probably just analysts) and what kinds of responsibilities they have in the deals they are working on. Ask questions that let them talk about themselves. Never ask a yes or no question.
While the questions you ask are important... Your answers to their questions are FAR more important. So study up.
"are you single?"
"how does models and bottles work?"
"can i bang your wife?"
thanks for the input guys
Do not be overly concerned on what questions to ask at the end of the interview. In fact, this is probably one of the least important parts that you need to prepare. In general, your decision is already made by then and as long as you don't ask something stupid, you should be fine. You do not need the best question since nobody will judge you based on the one or two questions you ask them at the end. Just make sure that you prepare a couple of safe questions.
Question I always, always lead off with is the "culture" question. I generally acknowledge that it's a question I like to ask all interviewers, followed by the fact the culture is one of, if not the most important part in my decision. Every interviewer seemed to love this question -- it's an open ended question and rarely results in an answer that takes less than 3-5 minutes. It can really help you avoid having to ask those stupid questions at the end that these guys here from every interviewee.
I'm using a new strategy to answer this... supposing it works (ie: it gets me to the next level, whether it be next round or offer), I'll let you know :)
follow up 2. Whats the most important piece of advcie that you've come across in your career?
How to wrap up an interview - "Do you have any questions for me?" (Originally Posted: 09/02/2011)
Wall Street Mentor Scott Morris discusses how you should finish an interview when the interviewer asks: Do you have any questions for me?
15 new Q&As like this have been added to the WSO mock interview Library. Sign-up for the interview library here: //www.wallstreetoasis.com/wso-mock-interview-video-library
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http://www.youtube.com/embed/e_ro7LLNXu8
I, personally, always ask about mobility within the company ie group to group, location to location, because "I want to learn as much about the business as possible." Probably not a good idea in a group specific ib interview though.
Not to hijack from the original poster, but I think this is a bad idea. IMHO, you want to ask questions about the job you are applying for, not about some job you might move to in the future. To me, asking about the ability to switch jobs before you even have the job in the first place indicates a lack of interest. In fact, i often ask more junior interviewees the question "where do you want to be in 5 years" in order to get the sense of how serious they are about the job they are applying for and how realistic they are about what they are going to be doing. It is shocking to hear some of the over-the-top answers about the positions they think are realistic 5 years down the road...running lots of money, etc....to me it shows that they see the junior job as just a stepping stone and they arent seriously focusing on doing it well. Interview for the job you are applying for...
"What's your policy on St. Patrick's Day?"
"If I were to tell you that I had 6 toes on one foot but 4 on the other, would it change your opinion of me, as a person? I mean I still have 10 so..."
My favorite wrap up question: when is hookers and blow day?
Are you saying Pam or Pan?
[quote=Wall Street Mentors]Are you saying Pam or Pan?
]
lmao, now I need to go watch this movie again, thanks a lot asshole :-p
When do I get my retainer check?
i asked her what is her companys stock symbol was funny watching her not have a clue and fumbling about why she didn't know it XD
Do you have any questions for me? - Every time I interview (Originally Posted: 12/06/2010)
I face this question every time I interview. What do you guys ask?
Typically, I ask: "What attracted you to this job?" "What are the qualities of a successful candidate?" "Why did my background interest you?"
And a lot of job-specific questions during their description.
I usually go with the flow and just come up with questions connecting to our conversation. A lot of times obviously about their background.
If its a senior person interviewing me I get some opinion on some current issue but then try to get more casual and talk about his hobbies back in the days.
Check out M&I for good questions to ask as well.
If you did some good research on the company or know beforehand who interviews you you can ask them about a specific deal they worked on.
As you pointed out ask already a lot of questions during the interview so it becomes more natural.
Got this about a month ago from the ladders.com weekly email, some of these are good.
Your bonus this year comes in the form of a Silver Banana. Congratulations!
The goal with this question is to get them talking about themselves and let the interview run over.
Completely agree with Illini, as usual...
If you've been thru enough interviews, especially in a super day capacity, the only thing you are thinking of when you get to this point is "Finally this one's done, ask something that let's them ramble about themselves and their interests for a couple minutes, nod your head in agreement and smile.". I feel like a lot of you kids feel like you are going to blow the interviewer's mind with some insightful question... NOT GONNA HAPPEN! Cuz they've heard every question under the sun already. At this point its like running the clock out in the fourth quarter of a football game when you're up by a score and they have no time outs left. Don't be a hero and fumble the ball... Take the knee and get the "W"...
One of the ways you can make this part of the interview incredibly valuable is by asking the interviewer something along the lines of:
Obviously you have to craft this question quite a bit but in general you just want to get an inside scoop in what some of your weak spots are. Particularly because you can address them with that person right there and ESPECIALLY because you can address them with other interviewers.
What generally happens after an interview is your interviewers ask eachother "what'd you think of that Johnna Chang?" and one will say "I really liked him, but he didn't really seem like he knows anything about our business" or "He seemed pretty sharp but I think he seemed more focused on trading and equity markets" or something to that effect. With the above questions what you're trying to do is kill those "BUT" statements and/or make it so when one says "I like him BUT he doesn't know a damn thing about finance" the other will say "Thats interesting, because I liked him alot too and we actually talked about X at length and while he may not be a finance major, he follows the market and seems like he's hot the intellectual horsepower to pick things up pretty quickly."
So one mentions a weakness, and because you got that feedback of his perceived weakness you can address that issue with other interviewers (or even that one) and they'll defend that aspect of your candidacy when it comes up as a weakness.
I don't know, but if you don't know (or show that you don't know by asking) the qualities of a successful candidate by the time you interview, it just sounds weird and reeks of "tell me how I'm doing right now, hire me, please!!!!" toolness.
What you need is to ask about the competitive situation of the interviewing firm, where they see themselves, and how are they going to take on their competition. I.e. if it's Evercore, ask about how they differentiate from guys like Perella, Lazard, and Greenhill. Ask about how much business they're expecting to do next year, what kind of transactions they will target, etc.
Another line of questions is corporate culture / process at the office at hand. I.e. what's the process like for analysts, is it a strict assembly-line / chain-of-command, or is there more interaction across the boards. This is where the boutiques shit on the bulge in regards to bureaucracy and deal experience, and make themselves look awesome. This is where the bulge promise you that at THEIR firm, there's less bureaucracy and an open-door policy (which, by the time you start working, ends up being BS as MDs won't even notice your existence).
Lastly, asking questions about the industry you'll be working in (i.e. healthcare, tech, etc) and types of deals the company worked on in the past might demonstrate A) your interest in, B) your enthusiasm for, and C) your already existing knowledge of the industry vertical you'll be working in, IF ASKED CORRECTLY in a non-contrived and tool fashion. I.e. if your question sounds pre-planned and pre-composed, and you can't carry the conversation any further and just smile and nod, you'll be dismissed as a tool.
I wish I saw the list that mr_bigglesworth posted before I went through recruiting!
Just be yourself. If the guy likes you he likes you. Rehearsed questions at the end of an interview won't change the outcome. You'd be surprised at how many people get pissed off at these forced questions.
Having met me, where would you see me in 4 years in this company?
Do you have any questions for me - Corporate development program (Originally Posted: 02/09/2012)
I have interview with BB for Corporate Development Program role soon. What are some standard questions to ask when the interviewer asks if you have any questions for him/her?
Thanks
The goal is to show interest in the interviewer's background, specifically their time at the firm and show interest in the firm overall and obviously the specific position you're interviewing for.
any sample questions?
"Do you have any questions?" (Originally Posted: 05/14/2013)
I always make an ass of myself trying to come up with good questions on the spot. I usually do not have any questions. And the questions that I do have, HR can never answer.
I have an interview with Wolters Klewer tomorrow for an internal controls internship (I was late to start applying and my options are limited). What type of question might be good to ask? I know that saying, "Nope, no questions here" is a no-no.
Dude...if you can't come up with three thought provoking questions on your own then you have issues.
^fully agree, also...who cares if you ask hr questions? just say, 'actually you've addressed all my concerns' or something.
Yeaaaa...
Ask them what they see as the firm's highest area for growth going forward. There's honestly a million. Nothing that you are curious about?
"So, am I hired or what?"
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME - Insightful questions? (Originally Posted: 12/27/2010)
Hey guys,
can you please offer some insightful questions you would asked or you know are the right questions to ask in an interview, I was just going over a few good questions and wanted to see what other people have asked and how that worked out for them. i mean theres always the regular generics like training program, tell me about your experience......but anyone have anything unique and really good??
thanks
Mod Edit: Search. Topic has been done addendum
Why do interviewers ask this question and expect such insightful questions? It seems like B.S. to me. I would think the best way for an interviewer to test the interviewee is by seeking insightful ANSWERS to difficult questions, not vice versa.
Anytime I got that question I would always simply tie it back to something one of the interviewers brought up. Be it about their job, their personal educational/career experience, their role in the group, whatever it is, demonstrating that you (a) paid enough attention + (b) thought intelligently enough to link it to something larger (your knowledge of the interplay between groups/divisions of the firm, a market trend, general industry knowledge etc.) always gets positive feedback.
Do you have any questions for me - Insights on types of questions (Originally Posted: 01/23/2012)
Wall Street Mentor Scott provides insight on what type of questions to ask at the end of your interview. Scott is a former Goldman Sachs MD and CEO of the Boston Options Exchange.
Click here to connect with Wall Street pros like Scott for mock interviews.
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Thank you so much! This is exactly what I was looking for.
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