Conoco Phillips Commodity Trading FT Position

At least for their internship hiring, the interview was 80% behavioral and 20% fit. Seems to be the case for a couple of oil and gas majors I've interviewed with that they love having a round of behaviorals (the tell me a time when, what choices did you have, how did you solve it kind of questions).

That said, definitely have answers prepared for why energy/trading/Houston. They may ask a question or two about risk and how you handle it. This is ultimately a position in a trading organization so think on that. If you play poker, run your own trading account, skydive, etc. try to work that in.

I'm actually doubting the interview will be very technical at all. COP has a three month training program whereby all their New Hires learn the ropes of the oil & gas business before ever getting a desk placement. They assume you know little coming in; they just want smart people with an interest in the field. At the very least if you have the time, familiarize yourself with futures, forwards, physical vs. financial trading, hedging, crack spreads, etc. Also, know that COP is primarily a physical shop that does financial hedging so don't say in your interview that you really want the chance to intraday trade NYMEX crude options or the like.

PM me with any other questions.

Anyone going to Houston for final round?

I know a few here on the board will be. I am taking one to dinner next week

Hi just got a phone interview and callback 10 minutes later for superday next week! So super excited about this. Anyone going on friday?

Hi just got a phone interview and callback 10 minutes later for superday next week! So super excited about this. Anyone going on friday?

did you get this from on campus recruiting? I am trying to find internship with more physical shops..

I know for a fact that both conoco and bp take online applicants seriously. Drop your resume and see what happens.

Bearcats, agreed with jotah. Although my school is a target for BB, it is not for Conoco. So I just applied online :) Btw, this is not for internship but for Full Time.

are you in houston bearcats? I can help with houston contacts

how are your contacts with the ladies?

no bid

that's good because i was going to be a seller anyways

thats cold man

jotah.. thanks for letting me know

m8875.. how long did it take for them to get back to you after you applied online?

monty.. just sent you a pm :)

The recruiter / HR for trading also is in charge of internship applications. I interned with COP this past summer so I know HR well. I had applied online and heard back in 3 weeks or so for an interview. The interview was fit/behavioral (no technicals at all) based. After my interview I got the offer after 4 weeks or so of waiting.

Not sure how the full time works but I assume if it's the same people it should be similar. I sat in on the full time new hires presentations and training (all in the same trading floor area) and it is correct you train for 3 months together with other new hires... many new hires were there till late on weekdays (like 11 PM) and on weekends.

The recruiter / HR for trading also is in charge of internship applications. I interned with COP this past summer so I know HR well. I had applied online and heard back in 3 weeks or so for an interview. The interview was fit/behavioral (no technicals at all) based. After my interview I got the offer after 4 weeks or so of waiting.

Not sure how the full time works but I assume if it's the same people it should be similar. I sat in on the full time new hires presentations and training (all in the same trading floor area) and it is correct you train for 3 months together with other new hires... many new hires were there till late on weekdays (like 11 PM) and on weekends.

when did you apply last year? I applied couple days ago.. Am I too late and has the bulk of internship recruiting done?

I recently attended the final round in Houston. My take was they were trying to sell you on why Conoco. They spend much of the final round showing you the campus, which is incredible, and telling you about all the perks you get as an employee. The interview was very simple and straightforward (Compared to any of the IBanks) and revolved around situational questions ie Give me an example of a negotiation and how it went; Tell me about a time you took a risk. For those of you involved in the industry, what does the comp structure look like once you get into a trading seat?

Just wondering, was your conoco final round in houston like a super day with everyone else or is it just an individual thing? Do you know if the internship recruiting is along the same timeline as full time or is it like after fulltime?

hawaiichic: sent you a pm :)

The final round consisted of a 1 hour 3 on 1 interview with 2 line employees and one of the HR representatives. Internship recruiting, I would imagine, occurs sometime in early spring semester. I'm not exactly sure as I attend a school that is not a target for COP. Seems like a good place to get some training with pretty decent comp and then lateral over to a marketer/IBank if you want to chase the cash.

comp is good if you are trading but it does take some time to get there

Internship recruiting is going on right now. Do not wait until the spring semester. Unless they've changed pace, there are not any final rounds for internship recruiting. One interview and done either in person for targets or over the phone for nons.

just ask her.. what do you have to lose

This is your aunt guy, not like a friend of a friend or alumni. Get her number from your dad and call her directly and make well known you want to do trading. I am sure if you have a solid resume she would like her nephew to work at her firm.

No doubt... I just got your pm and see it related to COP

1) For the internship I applied late august, heard back and interviewed in mid September.... I think I got the offer in late October, but def. before end of Nov.

2) Not sure if the full time hiring is same time as the internship

3) I applied online, COP doesn't recruit at my school (Michigan). I think it's advantageous since they do take online recruiting seriously... and you stand out if you are not at one of their "target" schools.

I would just apply online... or have your aunt recommend you. Even if they are in different departments she can look up the email of HR in Commercial...