Summer Equity Associate

Submitted an application (CV and resume) through a college recruiting process as a sophomore, and about a week later (in January) was contacted to set up a phone interview. The phone interview lasted about 30 min and consisted of your basic 30 min finance interview (but a little easier as I was a sophomore from a non-technical background): told him about myself/walked through my resume, explained why I was interested in Putnam/equity research, walked through a potential security investment, and one or two fit questions. Nothing overly difficult.

The next round was a superday at their Boston office about a week later. I met with five people, ranging from Equity Analysts to Head of HR. Same thirty minute interview structure - lifestory/resume, why the interest in Putnam, more questions about a hypothetical business, and a lot of personality/fit questions. I didn't get asked a single "technical" question or brain teaser - it wasn't ibanking and they knew I was a sophomore from a liberal arts college. Overall, every interviewer was genuinely interested in speaking with me, the atmosphere was professional but not stressful.

While I didn't get asked technical/brain teasers, I think my situation was somewhat unique, so I'd recommend anyone going for an interview to definitely brush up on everything. As for the phone interview, that's hard to botch, just be prepared and have everything written down in front of you for what you'll say. Overall, a good firm with good people, all the resources of a Fidelity but less people, less stress, and more of a team-oriented atmosphere.