Sanford Bernstein Equity Research Interview

I have a phone interview for an ER gig with AB's sell side unit. Apparently it is going to be a consulting type interview "with questions such as 'how many tennis rackets are in Spain'"? Any insight into interviews like this-can any of you please give me any advice at all? id appreciate anything at all

 

For that specific question, I would try to find some management consulting MBA interview guides and focus on the market sizing questions. See a question, try to size the market (highly recommend recording your own voice) and then compare to the ideal answer listed. Do this 30 times. Then come back and let me know if you still have trouble. For me when I was preparing for consulting interviews, that was enough. If you do need more help, you may need specific coaching, which can be bought on wallstreetoasis or other websites.

 

With those type of questions, since there are so many different types and variations that you can't really memorize any answers, it's less about getting the correct answer and more about showing your thought process. Think out loud, and do your best to come to a reasonable answer.

 
Best Response

Firstly, what level hire are you? Analyst, associate, VP?

The interviews there are predominantly behavioural for the first round.

For later rounds, you should start thinking about preparing a few stock pitches. Are you applying for a generalist ER position? Or is it sector-specific? If the latter, then you should be heavily researching the appropriate sector.

Maybe ask some of your friends in the industry to pull some equity research on a few companies for you. If you know absolutely nothing about the sector whatsoever, big houses will generally print an overview once or twice per annum. You should definitely read something like that, as it will provide a lot of BS you can spout during your interviews.

Finally, just keep up to date with what's happening in the markets. There is nothing more annoying than when a kid comes in to interview for a markets-related job without seeming to care about the markets.

 

Other types of case interview questions - not really, it is mostly market sizing questions that can get quite complicated depending on the interviewer. Some brainteasers and some general sector understanding (depending with which team you're talking and whether you're told which teams are interested in you).

Wouldn't be surprised if there would be some focus on competency/motivation - why SCB/why SS vs. BS/why them vs. BBs.

 

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