Best Response

I made it to the BlackRock Superday (FT).

Brainteaser: 1st Round - Add up the numbers between 1 and 100. I replied, "is that inclusive or exclusive of 1 & 100." He was interested and said "both." I gave him both answers.

Superday - 1) If you could be an animal, what animal would you be and why? Thought this was a retarded question. 2) If you had to explain to a random stranger what duration was, how would you go about it? 3) In 5 sentences or less, explain to your 90 year old grandmother what the internet is?

Behavioral: The typical behavior questions. Tell me about yourself, run me through your resume, why BlackRock.........

TIP - My 1st round interview was on campus. Several days before the interview, BlackRock came to campus for a presentation. They thoroughly described each segment of Blackrock, who would fit in best, and the advantages/disadvantages. They were particularity looking to see if I attended and understood the group for which I applied for.

 

I have a friend who works in RQA, and he said the most likely technical question anyone in RQA would ask right off the bat is "what is duration."

I would expect some mental math and probability, and just having a solid knowledge of the markets (Europe, recent Fed actions)...some stuff on where you think the markets are going in the next 6-12 months...etc

 

Take a look at the WSO of BIWS guides and mainly focus on your story and behavioral questions. At the end of the day...if you are a great fit and they like you, they will look past a few flubbed technical questions. As far as BlackRock specifically, I would look at their history and culture (know that they started as a sub of Blackstone and how they have developed into a powerhouse AM).

XX
 
Pike:
Take a look at the WSO of BIWS guides and mainly focus on your story and behavioral questions. At the end of the day...if you are a great fit and they like you, they will look past a few flubbed technical questions. As far as BlackRock specifically, I would look at their history and culture (know that they started as a sub of Blackstone and how they have developed into a powerhouse AM).

thanks Pike....

after searching, i am learning everything abt BLK, but still, i wanna know how does BLK differentiate from other asset mangers.. like PIMCO and State Street..., strategy? or they concentrate on ETFs?

Thanks in advance!!!!

 

Sample technicals:

How do you calculate tracking error and tracking variance? What's MCAR? How is MCAR and tracking error related?

If there's a portfolio with a significant volatility factor bet and the PM wants to cut to equal weight, what do you need to know to help him acheive that? How would you go about doing that?

What are style factors in the new Barra US Risk Model? How about the global model? What's the biggest difference between the 2? Is Barra a fundamental or macro model? Give me an example of a macro model.

Correlation's high in the market now. What effect does it have on calculated beta? What are ways to remedy that?

There are obviously a lot more questions that can be asked and this is tilted towards equity portfolio risk.. but just a sample of technical questions you could encounter

 
bearcats:
Sample technicals:

How do you calculate tracking error and tracking variance? What's MCAR? How is MCAR and tracking error related?

If there's a portfolio with a significant volatility factor bet and the PM wants to cut to equal weight, what do you need to know to help him acheive that? How would you go about doing that?

What are style factors in the new Barra US Risk Model? How about the global model? What's the biggest difference between the 2? Is Barra a fundamental or macro model? Give me an example of a macro model.

Correlation's high in the market now. What effect does it have on calculated beta? What are ways to remedy that?

There are obviously a lot more questions that can be asked and this is tilted towards equity portfolio risk.. but just a sample of technical questions you could encounter

Thanks Bearcats, i will def look through this, would it look like FRM exam questions? thanks in advance

 

Ultimately I want to be a portfolio manager. I notice from linkedin that a few people have transitioned into that role. Others have made managing director by the time they're 29/30/31 within RQA. To me, making MD at that young age is remarkable...

But seeing so many being RQA makes me question how relevant this is to portfolio management and if I'll be able to make the switch; it also makes me question how particularly respected that role is. I mean most of these people seem like they're coming from a good school for science/engineering background. I have to assume that the compensation is worth it. Whether it's as much as IBD/PE is another thing.

Any help guys?

 

Why do you assholes need validation on an anonymous forum? If you have an offer, you've met a bunch of people on the team. Ask them about it or find people who used to work there and ask them if you're worried you're not getting an honest opinion.

If you don't have an offer, get an offer first then worry about whether or not you'll take it.

 

I have an idea. Let's just get rid of forums altogether and have people get information firsthand. Arguably, that would be the most fail-safe way to get information.

If it bothers you so much, then just ignore it moron. Maybe he's just checking all of his bases. Has it occurred to you he might have already asked but just wanted to make sure?

 

You'll have to put your dues in, but it's definitely possible to move to PMG from RQA. RQA has constant interaction with the PMs, so just make sure to network and you'll be good.

yellow t-shirt
 

Adipisci harum iste commodi possimus consequuntur. Repudiandae beatae perferendis et ullam nostrum.

Id ipsum ex sed fugit ut harum. Voluptatem ex quasi praesentium neque et qui cupiditate. Blanditiis tenetur sit et fugiat consequuntur quibusdam. Quia aut sequi perferendis unde ut ipsa provident. Aut autem ullam voluptate quia ipsam quos. Suscipit minus facilis aut voluptas est. Officia et quibusdam vel tempora non et assumenda placeat.

Et sed placeat est saepe voluptatem. Sunt debitis non nihil occaecati. Autem iure velit necessitatibus reiciendis et saepe delectus. Voluptates maxime ipsam eaque iste sed et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”