Investor Relations Interview
CO
Tags:
(Senior Chimp, 21
Points)
on 6/7/12 at 10:17am
Hi Everyone,
I have an interview with the VP of IR at a F500 firm next week. This is my first in-person interview as the only other one I had was over-the-phone with HR. What kind of questions do you think I should prep for? I know I'll be ask what attracted me to IR and why I'm leaving my current role in Corporate Strategy. Do you think it will be tech heavy (walk me through a DCF, ect.)?
Thanks,
R





No, IR does not care about
No, IR does not care about DCFs and things of that nature. Rather IR is basically a means of communications to investors. So knowing how to communicate will be big. You will be asked questions by analysts regarding operations of the company. IR is basically public relations for investors so to speak.
Prep for "Why should we take
Prep for "Why should we take you over this smoking hot girl with enormous.... intellect?"
IR seems to have a particular "look" about them.
You should start by spelling
You should start by spelling it correctly: Investor RELATIONS.
Detail....Attention to DETAIL
Eventus stultorum magister.
You better know the
You better know the financials of the company and it's main competitors inside and out. I think one of the keys to IR is staying abreast of the marketplace. You have to show them that you are aware of what is going on and can interpret that information in an intelligent way. Ask about something going on in the industry and how the interviewer thinks it will affect their company. That being said, you can't just vomit up the biggest news story, you either need to find some info that is more subtle or show off your insight by asking a question about a major event that does not seem obvious.
Just out of curiousity, what is the industry?
In terms of what attracted you to IR, if you do not have a genuine answer lined up say something along the lines of : "I am interested in the intersection of financial markets with corporate america. IR is a way to observe the financial markets from the other side of the table." (But geniune would be better)