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I would just say, "I have interviewed with x, y, z for ib/trading/research." Make sure x, y, z are relatively similar competitors. Don't say you've interviewed with GS if you are currently speaking to UBS and vice-versa.
They don't really probe beyond that--more likely just gauging your interest and market-value among banks. I've been in strange situations where I mention x, y, z and then the current bank goes apeshit against one of the banks I mentioned, saying how much better theirs is. Strangely enough, I've always moved on in these cases.
Honestly... just tell them everywhere else. I wouldn't even think the GS/UBS question issue above is a real problem. I could see the problem arising if you said UBS and McKinsey, given that they are two completely different industries, but not with GS/UBS.
Just say "a few bulge brackets and some boutiques,but I'm really interested in xyz because..." or whatever your situation is. They probably won't press for names.
I definitely wouldn't tell them that this is your last interview or that you aren't looking forward to any additional interviews in the near future. If I were in your situation, I would name some banks and move on...
This is what you say....
" I am going through the process with a,b,c,d, banks, however, your bank, xyz interests me the most bc of ...."
I learned this through college interviews. Always say lower quality banks, so it doesn't look like you're using them as a fallback.
I have been honest. I have said that I am talking and/or interviewing to GS/MS when talking to people at UBS. All it tells them is that u have options.
Phrasing it like "I have been speaking with ___" or "I am in the process with ___" usually works well even if you already know you've been rejected.
I've said something like "I'm talking with a few boutiques" and more often than not the guys have pressed me for names. Maybe I've just gotten douchey interviewers though...
Most of the time, firms won't actually ding you for a while (if at all) so just list the names of firms you've been "in the process" with and if they push you (as I've had them do a few times), just reply with their closest peers that you've interviewed with. You don't want to list too many or just shittier banks (because you want to seem desirable). As MoneyKingdom said, be sure to sell on why the bank, especially if it's a lower tier bank.
Where else are you interviewing/applying interview question (Originally Posted: 01/24/2013)
Anyone have any negative experience with this? Have generally heard you want to say everywhere to look good, but also heard bad experiences from a few people (i.e. why didnt you tell HR, we thought you wanted to be in this city, etc)
Not sure if this is applicable but a year ago when I was applying for internships I was mainly focused on trading but did a few consulting interviews just to check them out. Whenever consulting firms would ask where else I was applying, I figured I'd be completely honest and say mostly trading but some consulting. Always got the impression that they didn't like hearing that...obviously lots of factors involved but fwiw I didn't get any consulting offers
Lot's of times i didn't like this question, once I really, really did. Her: Are you applying at any other banks? Me: yes ma'am (list three BBs). Her: do you have any interviews?. Me: Yes ma'am I do. Her: When are those interviews? Me: I have one later today. Her: Well then, we'll just have to keep you late so you miss it, we really think quite highly of your qualifications. In my head: BOOYEAH!
If you name only banks in the same city (and generally the same industry) as well as banks of the same type (size/business model) and don't make things up, you should be fine. I haven't heard many horror stories outside of issues with Bank of Ameria.
Please share?
Figured there are several threads on this topic, so no need to make a new one.
During off-cycle recruiting, would it be okay to mention fortune 500 financial analyst roles you are interviewing with? Especially if they are within an IB group you are interviewing for? For example, if you are interviewing with Verizon, and you are also interviewing for a telecom/tech group (but no other ib interviews), would you still mention Verizon?
Are you interviewing with any other firms??? (Originally Posted: 05/01/2007)
If the answer is no (and considering the current time of year when almost all SA positions are filled), should you say no? I know that having other banks looking at you makes you more attractive, but what if you don't have any other office visits? If you say yes, do they ask who? Will they check on the legitmacy of your claims?
Don't lie. They will most likely check the "legitimacy of your claims"
Definitely don't lie on that one, no way. If you just got turned down the day before by your last firm, then maybe say "I'm still waiting to hear back from one more," but that's about as far as I'd ever consider stretching it.
dont lie...ive heard of instances where the banker will jump on the phone and call his buddy at another bank to see if they are interviewing there
although it makes a candidate more attractive, is it smart to tell every bank that you are indeed interviewing with other banks? the better banks might not be threatened because they think they have a good shot at making you take their offer, but do lower-tiered banks like to hear that you are recruiting with GS, MS, etc.? is it possible that they refrain from giving you an offer because they don't think you'll take it?
I definitely think that happens. DB asked everyone at my school their status with other banks. And then all of the kids DB hired from my school had no offers and no pending applications with any bank better than DB. Most of the kids they hired hadn't even made it to a second round with any bank.
I think its ok to tell them you are interviewing at a "better" bank as long as you can sell to them why you like THEIR bank more (client contact for boutiques, etc). They have to think you would actually accept the offer from them.
URGENT: Telling interviewers about your other interviews?? (Originally Posted: 10/06/2014)
I got an invitation to a first round, they gave me a few interview times to choose from however they all fall on the two days I am not available due to full day interviews at another firm.
Do I tell them I can't make it because I'm already interviewing somewhere else?
Are firms typically understanding of this sort of thing?
The position is pretty competitive. A part of me is worried that it makes it too easy for them to use this an excuse to filter 1 candidate out right from the start. Also worried that it might give them a bad impression of me (even if on a subconscious level); that I don't want it enough or something.
Over thinking it or valid point?
Ask them for another day. See what they say. Cross bridge if and/or when you come to it.
I don't think its necessary to explicitly say you are interviewing with other firms on those days. Just simply say you have a "scheduling conflict" should suffice. It shouldn't be a problem.
As God & Country (and I) said, just ask for another date and say you have a conflict. If they end up pushing for specifics, which I doubt they will, don't lie and just say you've already committed to a full day of interviews at another firm. Interviewing isn't like you're exclusively dating someone and you have to lie because you're cheating on your girlfriend. Everyone should expect you to be interviewing at multiple firms. I'd actually be turned off by someone who's putting all their eggs in one basket.
Of course if you're turning down Blackstone for a junior marketing position at Acme Brands Dishwashing Detergent Co. you may want to rethink it but HR people should be relatively amenable. However, if you try to reschedule the first company's interview you'll most likely be throwing that opportunity out the window.
Thanks guys! I took your advice and replied to the email, didn't specify interview just politely said "scheduling conflict"
God, I love this forum.
If a picture of you riding a bear doesn't make HR amenable - nothing will.
Just tell them that you're a ginormous douche-canoe with a gaping vagina. They'll understand.
Haha I am definitely using this one
The "Are You Interviewing With Other Banks Question" (Originally Posted: 01/21/2008)
Hey there. If during a superday someone asks you, are you interviewing anywhere else, do they mean anywhere else including any division, anywhere else except their firm, or both?
For example, if I am interviewing with GS IBD and have both GS S&T and MS S&T superdays, and they ask me whether or not I was interviewing anywhere else, how do I answer the question? Should I explicitly state with MS S&T, just say with MS? Should I be as vague as possible and say with another bulge bracket? Do I need to mention that I am also interviewing with GS S&T?
Would it be bad for them to find out that you are interviewing at a different division at a competitor, or even with a different division in its own firm?
i'd be really vague.
Just say "Morgan Stanley" and leave it like that.
Yes, don't be specific, just say the banks name and stop there. They should not be asking more than that usually.
that you're interviewing at a handful of top tier banks. No harm there and reassures them you haven't spammed everyone but have been targeting banks in their bracket only.
I'd add to say only the names of their competitors. If interviewing for GS, name other BBs; if interviewing for an MM, name other MMs.
Vauge honesty works best here, as has been said. I'd definitely give it a huge spin though. The reality is that the street is too competative and selective to not apply to other places, so just spin it to have the interviewer understand that you find whatever firm you are interviewing with to be your top selection.
Where else are you interviewing? (Originally Posted: 03/01/2011)
What is the purpose of this question? Is it just to check for inconsistencies in one's story, or is it really mostly just curiosity? How honest or specific should one be in answering this question?
I think they just want to see that you are serious about banking, and that there are a lot of firms competing for you. Just say something like "Yeah so right now I'm very focused on ibd interviews, I'm interviewing with A, B, and C banks, and have upcoming superdays with X, Y, and Z banks." Also, don't be too specific about timeliness, a few times I would say I had an interview a few weeks ago with a bank and they would say "Oh, a few weeks ago, you must have heard back by now did you get it?" and if you didn't, then that's a downer in the conversation. Just say your focused, list some legit firms (Make some up if you need to) and stay vague.
No - don't "make up some". Even if you're not lying about an offer (like our infamous friend jeffrey chiang), you're still lying, and this is something they could follow up on (world of finance is small and interconnected).
I always answered it truthfully, stating exactly where I was interviewing or had offers, and experienced no problems doing so. Usually led to some good conversation about the competing firms and how the interviewing firm differentiates from them.
That being said, if you are saying that you are passionate about banking and that is all you want to do, yet you say you are also interviewing at consulting firms..... well then we have a problem.
1.) Show them your interest in banking.
2.) (hopefully) show them you have options...especially true if its OCI
If I'm an interviewer on campus and some kid told me he was only interviewing with us, I'd assume I missed something that made everyone else reject him.
I always proudly rattled off the other banks.
^^What if you aren't currently interviewing with other IBs but have recently and got rejected from them? Mention that you were rejected? I would think that the employer would think there's something wrong.
"I'm going through the process with some other firms right now."
Thanks,...So it's fine to say "I'm in the process" with say 2 other firms that rejected me 1-3 months ago? They wouldn't bother confirming that would they?
Who Else are you interviewing with? (Originally Posted: 02/11/2010)
If you are interviewing with a firm thats solid but not top tier (e.g. Jefferies, Cowen, etc.) and they ask you who else you are interviewing with, besides similar MM firms would it be a good idea to mention top firms like Lazard/Blackstone if you got interviews with them? Would it make you look like a more attractive candidate or turn them off because they think you would go with Lazard/BX if given the offer?
I would mention other firms of similar tier. The most important thing is to mention other MM firms if you're interviewing at a middle market shop, and other bulge bracket firms if you're interviewing at a BB. This is because they also probably asked you in your interview "Why do you want to work in the middle market?", and you'll totally undermine your answer if you drop all these BB names when they ask where else you're interviewing.
Now that said, do not lie. I know people who have lied about having interviews and/or offers that did not exist, and they got caught. But then again, you shouldn't really have to lie, because it's most likely that you've already figured out what you're interested in before you started interviewing right?
I won't be lying - I do have interview offers elite boutiques/top BBs as well as decent places like Jefferies, which I hear doesn't really consider itself an MM anymore; would it be a good idea to name the top places but with a caveat that the MM is your top choice because of X Y Z to make you look more desirable?
if its first round, they probably dont care. since you still have a ways to go before getting an offer.
How do you answer the "are you looking at other banks" question? (Originally Posted: 04/16/2013)
I know some people have to network extensively and end up applying to literally every bank, since nothing is guaranteed. Do you just tell them they are your number one choice, but you have some backups?
They probably know you are looking at other banks since you need a job, just tell them you are ready to start a career. Telling them that they are your #1 choice is good, but you should give a reason too.
You say "Yes, but you're my number one choice because x,y and z," and then list all the other banks you're interviewing at. If you can't name any firms, you're either:
A) Lying B) Really overconfident C) Someone with a shitty resume who can't get any other interviews.
All of those are serious red flags, but especially C. If this place is your only interview, be vague and say you're "talking with other major banks," or something to that effect. Banks want to hire the guy who has six other offers and chooses them, not the kid with one super day who's just happy to be in the interview room.
Other thing that can ding you is if you say you're looking at other career paths like law or consulting or something. Don't do that. Nobody bring in a kid who just wants to "try out finance for a summer," realizes he hates it, and then quits/checks out for six weeks.
Always list all of the places you are interviewing at. Appearing desirable makes you desirable.
List the other banks that are like the bank you're talking to at that momeny. E.g. list other BBs if you're talking to a BB, EBs if talking to an EB, etc.
Only list all of them if you have only a couple of interviews.
If a bank truly is my number one choice, do you think it would be bad to say "you are my number 1, and if I would accept an offer right now"?
Telling them they're number 1 is fine (and suggested, so long as you explain why) but do not go overboard and appear desperate. There's a thin line between enthusiasm and desperation. Find the middle ground.
Letting interviewwers know you are interviewing at other banks in various divisions ? (Originally Posted: 02/14/2011)
Is that dinged worthy to tell your S&T interviewer that you are also interviewing for capital markets at another bank?
Or telling them you are only interested in trading when your interviewer is part of the sales side?
How do they decide on Supderday? I interviewed with three people within S&T which is sales, trading and structured research. I am suppose to tell each and every one of them the truth right? Tell them that I am only interested in one division out of the three and not based on whatever division they represent?
No harm in letting them know about interviewing at different banks but I won't mention that you have applied to other divisions as it makes them question your commitment to their business area.
You'd get dinged if you said you weren't interviewing anywhere else.
"If no one else is interested in him then why should we hire him?" - is the question they'd ask themselves
docka, don't tell them you are interested in the position if that is not true. tell them what you want to do, why you want to do it and that you are good at it because of XYZ.
remember, in case they pick you, you have to work there. its not only about getting a job, its about getting a job you like! also, these people are in business for several years, they know when a monkey starts talking shit and you can also be sure that the people interviewing you will discuss your performance ...
you can tell them that you interview at different banks and you can even mention names (if worthwhile).
So if the interviewer is in the Sales division, I would still indicate my desire for trading and not sales? ( I only like trading)
I thought they will just drop me from their list if I have no desire to work for them. I thought I need two out of three votes on superday in order to be successful? Is that how this works?
Phrase it like "well I'm actually interviewing for sales at firm XX and XX. While I truly want to get into trading over sales and your firm is my #1 option, recruiting is tough, you need to have backups, and I've talked to alumni who have interned in sales and jumped to trading."
Problem solved.
These are very basic rules people:
Always come across that the role you are interviewing for is THE ROLE you are after. Don't even suggest that you might be interested in other divisions. Interviewers want to see passion for the role at hand.
Always come across as if there is some kind of interest in you by other firms. No, don't lie, but if you are interviewing with other firms, do let the interview know if he/she asks. And again, do not suggest that it is for another division at the other firm.
This is Interviewing 101
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