IBD first rounds and cover letters

two questions for all you smart experienced monkeys

one if you're guaranteed first rounds, and first rounds are mostly fit questions - how do the people doing those phone interviews decide who moves on to the second round? What do they look for (besides not being socially inept?)

two if you are applying to more than one office location, and want to keep both options open when you're interviewing, does it hurt to mention things about one office - how can you personalize your cover letter and mention the contacts you have, without putting the other location off entirely? any suggestions on how to tactfully word it are appreciated....

do most banks allow you to interview for two locations in parallel - do you get to pick location at the end if you get lucky enough to get multiple offers, or do you have to pick at the beginning?

2 Comments
 
Best Response

This has all been answered before, and you're wrong, first rounds are not almost always mostly fit.

Structure of your IBD first rounds depends on both the bank and your specific interviewer. Some banks (elite boutiques in particular) make it very technical in the first round to find out who the qualified guys are, and then more fit in the second round to see who they'd rather work with. Others may have the process reversed, and sometimes the banks leave the interview entirely up to the interviewer. General rule is that analysts and associates ask technicals, senior guys do fit.

Never a good idea to assume your first round will only be fit.

No one important reads cover letters, but generally you will be asked to preference your top choice in your first interview if you mention more than one location.

 

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