This goes out to the few people who actually conduct interviews on this forum (or if you have done a lot of mock interviews).
I had 2 first rounds I thought I did really well on - TD Securities and Barclays - but I didn't get a second rounds (well Barclays was one and done). I came out of both interviews feeling I answered all the questions appropriately. I was wondering:
As an interviewer, what things do you dislike/like in a candidate that aren't obvious or written about ad nauseum in this forum. (aka we all know don't say you want it for the money)
I have mostly consulting and AM interviews coming up, so advice that isn't specific to banking would also be much appreciated.
Anything you like/dislike about answers to the most common questions (that aren't already well known from the vault guide) or just any ticks or tendacies that may annoy you. Or any suggestions to better sell yourself on these questions.
Also at my current internships, its at a prestigious place, but I don't really do anything overly difficult/analytical, what's a good way to sell myself on this.
If this thread turns out good we can probably sticky it.
One common way to inadvertantly do poorly in an interview is to fail the "Airport Test." Essentially, an interviewer will critique whether or not they'd be able to stand being around you/talking to you if stranded at an airport.
If someone doesn't think you'd be enjoyable to work with or be around, they won't hire you.
Took an Interviewing Skills class last semester from Steinhardt, and one of the key issues stressed was non-verbal communication. Meaning, maintain eye contact, but don't have them feel like they're having a staring contest with you. Lean forward in your chair slightly, with your back straight. Nice firm handshake, and remember to smile often.
Non-verbal communication comprises of over 90% of effective communication. Thus, if everyone has the same embellished answers, you can set yourself apart through the little things that tip the weight in your favor. In short, do what you can to convey total confidence. At two of my Superdays, I didn't receive a single technical, though this may be due to a small sample size.
Wow, the airport test? How fresh. What a perfect example of tips "that aren't already well known from the vault guide."
One non-obvious one is the candidates don't smile enough, or that smile that was once on their face disappears when you ask them a tough question. I know it seems obvious, but just imagine yourself in a challenging situation, or even talking to your friends -- how much of the time do you actually smile? I agree with Bobcat09 that non-verbal communication is key, and you'll be amazed how much of a pleasant atmosphere you can create if you just let loose a little and actually give your interviewer the cue that you're enjoying the experience.
I think you're right on about the non-verbal clues.
What do you think the best way to improve non-verbal communication aside from brute practice? I think I may be bad at gesturing and eye contact at time - when I get really deep into thought I forget where my body goes, especially when tired. I luckily am good at smiling and holding a conversation without seeming nervous (although sometimes I feel I might not be clear/articulate enough- hard to tell though). It's just aggravating because I am much better at holding a conversation with people than most people in my school and don't freeze up, yet couldn't even get passed a TD first round.
Also I'd like feedback on selling yourself versus being honest. For example I interviewed for a prop shop today, and he asked me why this over banking, why this over S&T, why this over the Asset Management company you work for..and I had a good answer for all of these. But then he asked why this job over a hedge fund, and I said "Honestly, I'd love to work in a hedge fund if I could get into a good one"... do they appreciate the honesty, or should I just BS - I'm not sure what they are looking for on these situations.
Also, whats the verdict with humor? It makes them like you more I feel, but at the same time make you seem like serious/professional/driven. I.E. When they ask for my weakness I usually go "I try to hard..heh just kidding..." Then go on to my real weakness. Would this be viewed as a good or bad strategy.
As I wrote in my investment banking superday interview guide posted earlier today, you should never let your guard down, even when you're out at dinner or "just speaking casually" with people. Everything is part of the interview from the moment you meet them to the moment you leave.
Here's one tip/story you won't find in the Vault guide... play down language knowledge unless you are absolutely, 100% fluent native-level. Why? You could easily get screwed if someone there happens to know it and decides to test you on it. This actually almost happened to me but luckily I dodged it by saying something like, "Oh, I think I just want to think in English today" or something like that when the recruiter mentioned they had an analyst who knew that specific language. I've actually seen several people get screwed by this and other plainly untrue or easily test-able untrue claims they made.
What drives me crazy is when people just give completely standard, Vault-guide answers to questions without saying anything original. Even if you have spent the last week reading banking guides, I'm sure you can still conjure up something interesting to say that isn't straight out of a book.
SternMonkey: In general humor is dangerous in interviews and I would not say something like that for weaknesses, but to be honest that example you gave really won't make a difference one way or the other.
On selling yourself vs. being honest, you have to strike a careful balance. Don't say, "I want to be an investment banker for life, and I already know this at age 21!" But do indicate you're interested, willing to learn/work hard, etc. and admit you're not sure exactly what you want to do in 30 years.
On the hedge fund answer you gave, for that specific situation that answer is probably fine because anyone at a prop shop would also probably want to work at a hedge fund. But vs. those others you were right to give good "why not" answers.
thanks Dosk, that was incredibly helpful!
four more things I have concerns about (I have 6 interviews coming up this week and I'm nervous as sin right now):
group projects: When they ask about "difficulty in working with groups", is it okay to talk about time constraints. I honestly have not had any major problems with the people in my groups that I've had to work with, and I have to do a lot of stretching to make it seem like there was some "problem" between group members that I had to over come.
why this company: Is it better to talk about what it excels at or its culture, I generally go almost exclusively the culture route.
Weakness: How irrelevant can the weakness be, a few of my friends have been saying " I am slow to pick up other languages" but I feel this it too far removed from the job to be an acceptable answer.
Why should we hire you: Any advice on going beyond the laundry list (Smart, hard working, driven, can do long hours, learn quickly, good time management, good organization, can handle stress, will give you head) and is it better to highlight only one or two things instead?
sounds like you're pretty prepared man
just relax and be yourself
Eh, I thought I was prepared too , but I couldn't get past TD first round (they have three rounds,and are pretty near the bottom in prestige...so I figured I could get atleast get a second round). It was all fit too.
But ya... I definitely think it my body language more so than my answers, or maybe I don't enunciate clearly, I'm meeting with some friends the next two days for hard core practicing.
I would highlight 2-3 strengths, and 1 very legitimate weakness. They aren't always seeing what your actual weakness is, but if you can be honest and admit to failure of some kind. It is also important to show that you are trying to improve yourself all around, but don't be a tool about it.
If you have solid work experience, you should try to tie your answers back to your experiences. They want to see that you learned something, and that your previous internship was meaningful. I worked at a Fortune 10 company, and being able to explain the similar culture to GS was definitely very meaningful and helped me at both BBs and top boutiques (highlighting I didn't like the large corporate culture).
I'm not in banking yet, but I did interviews at most BBs and a few boutiques/MMs and got a few offers.
and jesus christ, editing is kiling my banana points.
"On the hedge fund answer you gave, for that specific situation that answer is probably fine because anyone at a prop shop would also probably want to work at a hedge fund. But vs. those others you were right to give good "why not" answers." ..................................................................... As long as you said u were ALSO interested in HFs, not that you were more interested in HFs...couldnt tell from what u (sternmonkey) wrote.
For the eye contact, a good trick is to casually focus your line of sight back and forth between the persons left and right eyes. If you do that instead of looking deep into both eyes, you won't come off as staring.
The language thing is fierce... if I see language on someone's resume and I know the language then I absolutely turn on the interrogation in THAT language. You'd be surprised how many folks exaggerate their language skills.
Also, dress appropriately. It sounds so ridiculous to say this, but what some candidates think is well dressed, may not be! There's also something totally wrong about a black interview suit. Don't wear a black suit unless you're going to a funeral or a sleezy night club. Trust me. Also, there have been some candidates lately that appear to have just fallen out of bed and they were an utter eye sore. I think it speaks volumes of a candidate's self-disclipline. If someone can't take time out to press their pants for an interview, they're likely to be equally if not more careless at work and around coworkers.
First off, great question.
I've been wondering about this myself, as I have had a few interviews the past few weeks, including a final round last Friday, where I sincerely left feeling like I nailed it yet I didn't end up getting an offer. I've started to analyze everything, such as my posture, voice, how much I smile, etc.
I honestly don't know what is going on, and it's even more frustrating when you can't get good feedback from interviewers on what you did wrong.
Yeah, I've hit slumps before too. Unfortunately, you'll never be able to pick out what to fix by yourself. Find someone who has experience in the industry (senior who had SA experience, someone else who's serious about recruiting) and mock with them. Have them be as critical as they can be and eventually you'll nail the problem.
Usually it has something to do with the fit answers or the way you're answering. Interviewing is acting, anyone can be a star with enough practice :).
Really? I've always thought it was standard to wear a black suit to an interview. I've seen scores of people do it during FT/SA recruiting... is it the incorrect thing to do?
What's the better alternative???
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