Know the Game
First, you should know how interviews work. You’ll never win a game if you don’t know how it is played. Talk to your career services office, do informational interviews (although you should be well prepared for these), read through the interview guides from WSO and get yourself familiar with the process.
Craft Your Story
You must also craft your story. Every interviewer will ask you to walk through your resume or have you tell them something about yourself. Your answer to these types of questions will set the tone for the entire interview. A great story will differentiate you from your competitors and give you an edge over other applicants. To learn how to create your personal pitch, you can read through these posts:
- Wall Street Mentors: How to Perfect Your Personal Pitch
- Interview Advice from Scott Morris: Walk Me Through Your Resume
Behavioral Questions
Behavioral questions also play a very important part in the interview process. An analyst won’t back you up for the next round of interviews if he thinks pulling an all-nighter with you would be unbearable. If you have a 3.4 GPA from UVA and are going up against someone with a 4.0 from Harvard, being able to show that you are friendly and enthusiastic may propel you into the next round. Always make sure you keep your energy level high throughout the interview process, whether you have one interview or ten in one day. The WSO Behavioral Interview Guide is a great way to make sure you are well-prepared for this portion of the interview.
Technical Questions
Finally, make sure you know how to tackle all of the technical questions. They will test your knowledge of accounting, valuation, modeling and, sometimes, brainteasers.
Relevant Discussions:
Additional Resources:
- Relevant WSO Guides: Behavioral Interview Guide and Technical Interview Guide
- Relevant WSO Services: Wall Street Mentors, Wall Street Prep, and Finance Resume and Cover Letter Review
- Relevant WSO Forums: Get a Job
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