Hey all,
I have an interview with Bear Stearns IBD next week for their summer associate program, and am hoping to get some insight on questions I should look out for. I've heard they're big on "Why Bear", but what exactly does this mean? Are they simply looking to see if I know what differentiates them from other top banks, or should I start memorizing league table info ASAP? Anything else besides the standard behavioral and technical Qs?
Any help is appreciated!
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Bear has a pretty unique culture as does most of the banks on the street. Generally you can rattle off some facts such as Bear has never had an unprofitable year (until this past year) etc.
PM for more info.
I sent you a PM also, but I'll retype my message here for the benefit of future searchers...
I went through first rounds and superday with BS, and eventually landed an offer, so the following is from experience.
They are very big on "Why Bear Stearns?". I was asked this by every single one of my interviewers. The "correct" answer is as follows -
"I think that Bear Stearns offers a unique environment that you really can't find anywhere else on the Street. I have spoken to a few employees and they've told me that their favorite part about working at Bear Stearns is the small deal teams. I'm really excited about getting that senior exposure/boutique feel, while working on WSJ front page deals."
(this answer originally was given to me by an analyst friend that works at BS)
Mix of technical and fit questions, with more fit if you are a non-finance background, standard questions that you can read about anywhere.
And believe it or not, pretty much every bank is big on the "why us?" question, because it's one answer that can differentiate people... everyone has read the Vault guide, but has everyone done research into the firm's culture?
Bear's environment is very "entrepreneurial" and tends to have smaller deal teams, and some would argue that it's more of a "star culture" than other banks (obviously you don't want to say that exactly).
I would focus on the positive aspects that you get with type of culture.
Hey SBE,
I've also received an invitation for a 2x30mins phone interview (1st round), I've applied for IB summer associate position too (London office).
Please, can you fw me any good tips you've received?
Many thanks for your help!!!
Hey SEB, Could you please also share the info regarding BS interview tips with me?
Hey IB4life2 Could you let me know of your contact info. I also have an interview soon with BS summer associate as well. wondering whether we could chat a little. you can PM me, thanks!
I had a summer associate final round with Bear a few weeks ago and got the offer. Here is what I remember:
Senior bankers were all about why bear, why banking, and they left a lot of time for me to ask questions.
Junior Bankers were about 10 to 15 minutes of technical quesions then they too got into why banking and wanted me to ask questions. One guy was a former lawyer that switched to banking and he just wanted to shoot the breeze for a bit. Some of the technicals I got:
If you had to prepare a pitch book to win business from a potential client, then what materials would you want to be included in that book in order to win that business? (this came from the head of summer recruiting, PM me and I'll tell you more about him)
When talking about WACC, tell me if the cost of debt and cost of equity are market or book value relationships? (this came from the head of summer recruiting, PM me and I'll tell you more about him)
What are the components of WACC?
What makes a good LBO candidate?
What discount rate should you use in a DCF? When would you use something other than WACC as a discount rate or when would you not use WACC?
Tell me six ways to value a company. (as in tell me the three main ways then they kept asking for more ways)
Where do you see housing prices? Price of oil? Some other market (current) situation heading?
Oh and one more thing that worked for me. When asked to answer why bear... I always said that I had done informationals with several people from my school and with similiar prior experiences to me (before banking) and I felt like I "fit" very well with those people which makes me believe that I would "fit" well in the associate pool at Bear. (or something to that effect) it seemed to work and people seemed to like it.
How can I apply to Bear Stearns, I can't seem to find them anywhere.
what a dildo
dont be a doouchebag
So what do you do? -I work for an investment banking firm. Oh okay; you are like my brother, he works for Edward Jones. -No, a college degree is required in my profession
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