Do SA technical questions vary between applicants?

So, I've learned that not all students applying for SA positions in London are Finance students, that a lot of them are studying Business.

My question is, how can you answer technical questions at your interview, if they're related to subjects you haven't studied? I'm currently studying management in Italy, and I will be applying to BB banks in london next year.

I've studied, among the rest of my subjects, tons of accounting and some financial math, but no subjects that relate to the majority of interview-questions I see everyday on this board.

How does it work?

6 Comments
 

If you are applying for IB positions, you will be expected to know some technical questions no matter what your background is, at some point in the process. Its more of a signal to the interviewer that you have done your homework, and know what you are applying for than anything else. The guides WSO offers are great to prepare for your interviews.

 

Interview questions differ between applicants. You might as one applicant some detailed bond question, but another one you would do the simple tell me about the economy. It does matter to a certain extent what you have studied in school, but if your really interested in something for a career you should be doing a lot of your own reading and not be relying on being taught something in school....that's my mindset anyway.

"Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."
 

I'm an econ major at a LibArts school (i.e., my curriculum has almost zero accounting and corporate finance) so I've put quite a bit of thought into this. the information is out there (WSO, Mergers & Incquisitions, investopedia), so there's really no excuse not to know it. honestly, you just have to put in the extra effort.

 
sloppyjI'm an econ major at a LibArts school (i.e., my curriculum has almost zero accounting and corporate finance) so I've put quite a bit of thought into this. the information is out there (WSO, Mergers & Incquisitions, investopedia), so there's really no excuse not to know it. honestly, you just have to put in the extra effort.

What about specific books you have to recommend?

I may open a new thread on the subject.

 

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