How to answer these interview questions?

Recruiting is coming up and there's some questions that I can't think of good answers for. Maybe you guys can help me?

Q1: The "describe a moral dilemma that you faced" question
My real answer: Can't think of any. Never had to cheat/plagiarize/copy homework in school.

Q2: Why our bank?
My real answer: I applied everywhere. Isn't that what everyone else is doing?

Q3: Why this division?
My real answer: I just want a damn job that pays me. Can we cut the bullshit?

Any help is appreciated.

 
Best Response

Hi,

just what I would do:

Q1: I'd focus on avoiding a mistake (e.g. by seeming cheating-friendly or too pedantic). Talk about something harmless (if it's also interesting, that's a bonus). For example, you promised someone to do something, something else came up and you had too choose what to do etc.

Q2: Talk about league tables and recent deals (easier if it's a good bank). In addition, talk about how you know someone who interned there, he liked the culture etc. (don't make this up, they could ask his name). Or you met employees at some recruiting event, liked them etc. The culture answer is always correct. Lastly, if it's a big firm, it offers you the chance to work on larger deals. If it's a small firm, you have more exposure...

Q3: Depends on the division. Talk about what they do and why that's great and you like it. If you want to share what division you're applying to, I might be able to give you a more detailed opinion.

 
JustADude:
You need to realize that they don't ask these questions just to know your "real answer", they want to make sure you can bullshit coherently on the spot in response to a simple question. If you can't even do that, you're not set out for banking.

Best post today.

[quote]The HBS guys have MAD SWAGGER. They frequently wear their class jackets to boston bars, strutting and acting like they own the joint. They just ooze success, confidence, swagger, basically attributes of alpha males.[/quote]
 

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