Investment Banking Analyst

The hiring process began in August (despite formal process beginning in September) with a phone call from an HR representative from CIBC. After the introductory call there was a 3 week wait until the process formally began in September. The firm had posted a position with my school, so we had an info session on campus. At the info session I met up with the HR rep. from summer, who introduced me to all the bankers at the session.

The next day I received a call from a director who was tasked with guiding me through the rest of the process. We set up a phone interview which happened at the beginning of the next week.

After the phone interview I got positive feedback and the director told me I'd receive details for the super day by email in a week.

I received the email, and the following week (2 weeks from the info session, 5 weeks from initial contact) I traveled to Toronto for the final round. The super day consisted of 2 30 minute interviews each with 2 senior bankers (I had 3 MDs and 1 Director).

The first interview went well and consisted of almost all technical questions, mostly regarding accounting practices and 3-statement flow-through stuff. The second was more behavioural and only had a few technical questions about P/E rations and adjustments.

After the interviews ended there was a banquet in the evening. The calls extending offers and conveying rejections were done the very next day, at which time I did not receive an offer.

My perceptions of the firm were generally very positive, the professionals were generally very welcoming and would go out of their way to make you at ease. I did have one MD leave my second interview after introductions, which was surprising but understandable given he was in the middle of a deal.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is network and build relationships like crazy the summer before full time recruiting. The process formally began in September, but by August they had already selected who they would interview through informal methods and so it appears the info session was more for show. I received the interview through a connection, and of the other candidates I spoke to at the banquet (most, if not all) everyone else was also connected to the firm in some way. There was 1 undergrad position available and 20 candidates at the super day, all connected, which highlights the importance of networking for this particular role.

Also I thought it would help to point out, I know some people who signed full-time contracts here and there is a background check, however there is not a drug test.