Since it seems like a lot of banks (Citi, DB, WB) are using Koru to vet applicants, and we can see our Koru results, what do y'all think the best thing to get from it is? Does it vary by bank?
http://www.joinkoru.com/koru-7/ for descriptions of each result. Personally, I would think Grit/Polish are best for IB, but idk.
| +136 | Restructuring: Anti-climactic Experience | 36 | 5h |
| +109 | IB Net Worth / Savings Check | 51 | 4h |
| +99 | Woman who emptied Knicks trashcan on street then stole it was DEI exec, worked at JPMorgan Chase | 25 | 1h |
| +82 | Stop sleeping on UBS - it’s pretty good | 29 | 41m |
| +70 | Hot take: I’d rather be at Desjardins than UBS for investment banking in 2026 | 11 | 25m |
| +56 | 2026 VAULT PRESTIGE RANKINGS | 30 | 1h |
| +39 | AI + Financial Modelling | 12 | 1d |
| +32 | Hardest interview experiences? | 18 | 8m |
| +28 | Summer before college | 17 | 19h |
| +26 | Current State of UBS in North America | 8 | 2d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
I don't know about the best result but I think it'd be grit as well, and wasn't sure if it was in the other thread but has anyone else had problems with Citi applications saying "You've previously applied for the job" if you don't complete the whole application in one go?
What do you do in that case? Email HR? Start a new profile?
Email HR or see if there's any IT help email somewhere on their careers page.
Thanks my man
someone that had 'Grit' would create a new email address and login and submit a new application
Yes, had this issue as I left a page open.
I imagine they see a more complete analysis than just your top result - so someone with something like 100% impact/rigor and 0% teamwork is probably what they're trying to avoid by using Koru. I got Polish and am happy with it.
Yep, the assessment is a lot more thorough for getting just one result. Pretty sure their end looks different.
What I thought reading polish through this entire thread until I saw it on the Koru website:
I got curiosity. I do NOT think that is what they are looking for...
I got RIGOR, but do you guys really think that this survey alone can make or break your chances for an interview?
I don't think it would make, but given the sheer number of apps they're probably looking for anything that could break...
I know someone who applied to Lazard who got an immediate email from the site after completing the personality test that s/he "didn't meet the benchmark personality" too much attention to detail wtf
I got Grit, but until I saw this thread I thought that might be a negative. According to the Koru website “Rigor is all about being analytical, data-driven, and exhaustive”. That seems pretty familiar from reading all kinds of ‘Qualifications’ or ‘Who We Look For’ sections on IB positions. “Curiosity means being a quick learner, customer empathetic, creative, and innovative.” Again, I’ve read innumerable posts saying something like: no matter your major, you come onto the job not really knowing how things work in the real world and you need to be able to figure it out quickly and be able to work on your own.
This is all to say: I don’t think anyone’s Koru results are worth worrying about regardless of what trait you got back. None of us really know what they’re looking for anyways. Either way, worrying about it isn’t going to do shit for you. If you can’t fix it, figure out something you can actually have some control over and focus on that.
Also side note, this isn't meant to shoot down the initial question, just some support for people worrying.
Pretty sure Koru puts positive spin on all of these traits....
For places where people are applying to multiple positions, are you completing each Koru? Ex: 3 Korus if you applied to 3 positions within the same firm
Nope. I applied to 3 positions, but only had to complete one Koru.
Hmm, ok. Citi sent out one for each, so kinda confused.
I too received 3 separate Koru invitations, I applied to FT IB for multiple cities. I am on the fence about completing the second 2. I also finished the first Koru before beginning either of the other applications.
For Citi?
And this is why personality tests are stupid. They're extremely easy to game.
I also have had to do some research on the topic for a larger firm (if you live in Europe you will recognize the name). What I found was that personality tests have almost no correlation to success on the job.
The top results were cognitive tests and ethical assessments. Oddly enough a candidate's resume also was the only correlation weaker than personality tests.
Just out of curiosity, what correlated most to success on the job?
Ownership. They like to see that you're alpha enough for the job
I got polish. Does anyone know if these surveys actually determine whether you make it to the next round after the initial resume screen? Is it more just to see who is serious about applying/checks their emails daily
I'm sure there's some weight to it, but likely not a massive amount.
I think that they use the results when: a) the recruiters are bored or b) when they have competing applicants.
I just talked to one of my really good friends who works as an analyst at Citi's SF office for IB. She told me that this is something very new Citi is experimenting with and that it really doesn't matter what the results are. I think it's just a way for Citi to gauge more who you are as a person. In other words, I wouldn't worry too much about what you get.
Does anyone know how you can retake the Koru test for Citi? Every time I click on the links for my 2nd & 3rd app (same position, different city), it takes me back to the screen you get upon completing the first test. I have tried everything but still cannot find a way to start it for the other positions, and was notified that if i don't take it today the app will be dropped.
don't worry about it, you're done
I took one for Barclays and I got ownership, which I'm really happy about. I don't think there is a "best" one; I feel like they just want to make sure you meld with the team and they have a relatively "diverse" group. A group with too much of one isn't well rounded enough. If they want you, they'll make a place for you.
Did you get an interview?
These test are pretty ridiculous IMO. According to one testing serviceI took (not used by banks, but still asses your personality based on surveys), I'm highly analytic and focused on my goals, but according to the Koru, I'm the curious and exploring type who wants to understand everything and everyone.
IB candidates from good schools with high GPAs obviously possess "Curiosity," took "Ownership," and used "Grit," Rigor," and "Polish" to make an "Impact." The trait they really want is "Teamwork" so they know a new hire will fit in with the rest of the IB Team and contribute to its continued success.
Anybody got an interview after the Koru test?
Did anyone hear back? Bump
How long did it take for people to get their Koru result email? I did not get a confirmation email saying I finished with my top result... This is for William Blair by the way
Korus From Various Banks (Originally Posted: 08/24/2017)
So I applied for Barcap, Citi, DB and Lazard last night, and only got Korus from the first two. But from what I've read everyone who applied for DB and Lazard also got an automated Koru, so does that mean a rejection if no Koru invitation was received?
Iusto officia deleniti eum beatae consectetur id sequi. Voluptatem at officiis ratione est ea commodi aliquam ipsam. Nostrum ipsa ducimus reprehenderit aperiam odit. Quos pariatur ut voluptatem enim ut temporibus est id.
Tenetur nulla hic dicta commodi. Debitis aut nihil reprehenderit nobis.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Assumenda qui at dicta. Voluptas minima corrupti tenetur inventore autem vel rem.
Non beatae rerum aut dolor et exercitationem reiciendis fugit. Ullam non quis in et enim sint enim. Eum fuga dolorem minima autem quo totam. Molestias amet ut delectus tempora. Voluptas est aliquam commodi eaque sint molestiae. Veritatis alias quas inventore distinctio in sint esse.
Asperiores qui ut commodi ea qui sequi. Ut ullam perferendis natus accusamus a consequatur omnis. Sunt sunt qui tempore.