Does anyone know of any banks/financial firms that don't ask technical questions? I know Bridgewater and Point72 don't ask any technicals but I want to know more firms like that.
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Hey AKRHead, I'm the WSO Monkey Bot and I'm here since nobody responded to your topic! Bummer...could just be unlucky but one of these topics will help shed some light:
Or maybe the following WSO members have something to say: @TheIronLady" shansen AdamJCVD
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For superday interviews, there are many times one person who is tasked with assessing the individual's technical skills. While you may be able to do that with many interviewers, you can't do it with this person.
Just twist every question like a champ:
Q: So, how do you value a company? A: Well, in order to determine whether a company has value, I would want to study it's products and what it adds to society. For example, Tesla is obviously highly valued, since it's product's are leading the green energy movement. Seadrill, on the other hand...
Q: Do you know where the S&P 500 is trading at? A: I'm assuming it's trading at the NYSE, since that is the main hub for most equity trading.
Q: Walk me through a DCF. A: Sure. So a data clarification form (DCF) is a questionnaire specifically used in clinical research. I would assume it asks specific questions pertaining to the research, and on any clarification that needs to be made.
etc.
Point72 definitely has technicals and in some places a light modeling test/case so you'd need to be very sharp on accounting and finance.
I don't think any firm has a strong "no technicals" policy and the last thing you'd want is to be caught off guard by someone who otherwise likes you asking about a DCF. You could get to a decent skill level on technicals in the time it takes you to make a list... just spend a weekend or two pounding some example questions. For the most part a finance major will always be expected to know them, most people ask the same 5-10 basic questions and maybe 2 or 3 harder ones of their own. Is there a reason you don't want technicals at all or are you just not confident with them?
Thanks. I'm just not very confident with the technicals. I've been preparing with the Vault Guide but progress has been slower than expected.
Yeah, been there. For accounting questions it really helped me to sit down and build a practice 3-statement model for a company on paper and see where exactly everything fit in, easier than trying to memorize everything in your head. Same with DCF, comps, etc - practice actually doing them like a homework question, not just the memorized answer. Might just be me but actually working through them was more effective than just going off guides.
I am only an incoming college freshman but I had a phone call with a Goldman Sachs analyst this week and he told me that Goldman doesn't really ask technicals. They are far more interested in your fit for the firm so they mainly ask behavioral questions.
I don’t think you’ll ever encounter a reputable firm that stays away from technicals entirely...ultimately you need to judge a candidate’s preparedness for the role aside from the fit factor. That said, I’ve had interviews where technical questions are less about the actual numbers than about high level theory and qualitative factors.
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