What can a non-finance major expect in an Asset Management Interview?

Hey Everyone,

I am a senior at Michigan from a software engineering background with no finance experience. I applied to an AM FT opportunity because I thought it sounded interesting and FO high finance is something I always wanted to look into, but I thought my GPA was much too low (sub 3.0). I got an interview with a firm that serves institutional investors, with 150 Billion USD+ AUM and a derivatives portfolio worth a little less. The position would work with various asset classes and later, derivatives. The first interview went really well, and I was basically told on the spot I would be headed to the next round. It was hinted that this 2nd interview would be more technical. What can I expect for them to ask me? I have been studying things like the basics of interest rates and interest risk, basics of bonds, basics of forex, basics of commodities (focusing on the history and patterns seen in oil and gold), basics of derivatives (focusing on options), and the discounted cash flow model. I really do not want to mess this up. Thanks a ton for the advice!

 

I honestly don’t think it would be very different from what they ask a finance major. This is because what’s in AM isn’t really taught in finance classes at school. I’d say that know what’s in the job description very well and know the market. It seems like you’ve been preparing very well. But for no traditional backgrounds, really think through the “why AM question while having a finance degree?”

 

It's a rotational role: so I would rotate through fixed-income, currencies, commodities, and equities during the first year with various instruments (bonds, stocks, swaps, options, etc.). I then spend 2 years rotating through some groups such as derivatives and corporate bonds.

 

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