Rolex too flashy for interviews?

Yes, I think it is too flashy for SA interviews. Usually, I would say that what watch you wear is not a big deal, but in this case I don't think anything good can come from wearing that watch to the interview.

You want to be remembered for your interview, not your watch

Your watch is your watch. Why change yourself because you are afraid of being labelled "baller"?

The fact that he would consider himself a "baller" as a SA interviewee says enough.

I thought that would be the case. It does kind of piss me off though that I'm not going to be able to wear the watch anymore when I have a job.

What if he earned the watch trading cocoa futures in the middle of the night? Ice breaker.

I wore a custom tailored Brioni suit, hermes tie, platinum cuff-links, John Lobb custom made shoes (ostrich, no plain old leather for me), with a Patek-Philippe on my wrist. I didn't actually answer a single question, I just sat with a disgusted look on my face.

Needless to say, I got an offer.

Wear it all you want when you have a job. Very few people will notice, fewer will care, and virtually no one will mind. I still shoot the shit with an analyst in one of our industry groups who struck up a conversation with me about his watch and mine, during the group placement process a few years ago.

The fact that you feel some reservation about wearing it to your interviews probably means you should leave it behind. Small potential upside, probably slightly higher potential downside, with by far the most likely outcome being no impact whatsoever, except that it may make you self-conscious about it while you should be focused on the interview. If you want to play it safe, then, the right thing to do is to leave it behind.

Once you get the job, put it back on.

Thank you for the advice - I will act on it. It is nice to get the perspective of someone with a lot of experience in the business.

In my last group there was a kid who came in and had a rolex he would rock (it was his father's). Kid also wore a three-piece suit to work one day and got shit for it just about every day thereafter. I thought he was close to suicide at a few points. Besides the gear, he was a total dousche.

Bottom line is - the flashy stuff will only magnify your behavior. If you're a cool dude (then again, who thinks they suck?), then it won't be a big deal. If you get ragged on a lot by people who won't go to the bar with you - then it'll cause problems for you in the long run.

(It also depends on the shop - the smaller the shop, the more likely it is to get noticed / talked about)

No offense, but a Rolex on a college kid just screams tool.

Wearing it's one thing, but flashing it around is another.

No one really cares what watch you wear. In fact, almost no one will be looking or even know. Wearing a rolex at age 20 does not scream "style." Most 20 year olds do not earn enough on their own to buy an expensive watch. So, to me, this signifies that you either come from a wealthy family (which doesn't really hurt or help you) or that you don't know how to properly manage money.

it wont make or break your interview, but if all things were equal between 2 candidates, i would hire the non-rolex candidate

with compbanker. having a nice watch may have been the result of a nice gift for graduation, birthday, whatever. I would wear it and not care so much about what other people think. if it suits you and your personality, then it's fine. but it's stupid to try and pretend to be something you're not. in this industry, it is very obvious who is trying too hard to 'fit in' with the people, and also very obvious which kids' fams have money. Not that it's a bad thing at all since a lot of the industry is still pretty nepotistic.

I understand that presentation and appearance are extremely important in banking but why does it seem that almost all bankers derive so much of their self-worth from the watch, suit, and shoes that they wear. If you wanna wear something just fucking wear it. Who cares what anyone else thinks...

Wear your Rolex to the interview; don't be influenced by the perspectives of others.

Omega, I think you should wear a Rolex to a summer internship interview.

Here's an even better idea - Why don't you change your username from Omega to Rolex! No more mixed signals.

I laughed. Drop the rolex and don't worry about it...

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Remember, you will always be a salesman, no matter how fancy your title is.
- My ex girlfriend

Are you poor? Get a real fucking watch. Automatic ding.

People make first impressions all the time based on what you wear and your general appearance.....unless you are a wild and crazy man from czechoslavakia

put the rolex up your butt. that way you get to wear it and feel good about your self, without worrying about self-image

would my Bolex suffice at an interview?

I am sorry that you have to wear Timex. But it isn't my fault that you descend from peasants, so please don't take it out on me.

Haha this is a lot more intriguing question. What would you do as an interviewer if the candidate was clearly wearing a fake Rolex or Breitling or something of the sort?

noone in IB would care about your watch... especially since Rolexes are probably the worst watches ever made and way overpriced.. just like Tags... these companies spend all their money on marketing and not on great designs.... if you want someone to notice... get a timex... at least you look like you do not care.. just like your inteviewer...

Kentoom is wrong, people in IB do care about watches. I wore a Breitling that my dad gave me for my high school graduation to most of my interviews and even though it is a plain stainless steel version several interviewers noticed and brought it up. Once I started my analyst program this summer, many other Analysts brought it up. Believe me, nice watches are interpreted in IB as a status symbol. For some in IB, a conservatively styled high-end watch is a sign that you are a member of the club. For those who are from less-well off backgrounds, they cannot tell. But if you wear a fancy, flashy watch, no matter what it is, you will alienate people.