First round phone screen interview with HR... answers to have for sure?
I haven't had many ib interviews so I'm seeking your advice. What are some questions to expect from HR for an ib interview? This is for a specific coverage group. Any general tips on how to pass the phone screen?
If it's from HR expect behavioral and fit questions. It shouldn't be technical for phone, especially from HR.
I would expect questions about "why". Why are you interested in IB, why are you interested in this firm, why this division, why this industry, etc.
To prepare obviously know about the services it offers, the history, recent deals done by the group, trends in the industry. Practice telling your story and how your experiences have led you to this group at this firm.
I sent a resume to a small-midsize real estate developer who forwarded it to their HR. HR now wants a phone interview. What would you recommend saying to push this forward?
Thanks
I think that ATLAnalyst hit on just about everything. One thing I would say is try to figure out whether they are generalist HR or work with your specific group. I have heard (though it hasn't happened to me) of HR people who only do IB recruiting asking technical questions in early rounds.
Easy. Take a look at their careers page and remember what key words they use. For example, if they go on and on about their work hard, play hard culture, it might be a good idea to discuss how this appeals to you.
Be prepared for some curveballs:
In 1 minute, teach me about something I don't know about.
Tell me a joke
HR Phone Interview (Originally Posted: 02/26/2014)
Hey, I've got a phone interview with HR at a well known hedge fund coming up. I'm an undergrad and this is for an internship. I was hoping that anyone with experience in this could post some questions, general flow of the conversation, things to be sharp on, etc.
Should I expect technicals and market questions?
Yeah, I know this is a bit of hand holding, but the fund is a top choice for me and I want to be on point.
Fit questions, know your story, why you want to do this blah blah, be friendly and personable, know the jist of the firm, market, etc.
Tons of other posts just like this so be sure to search them!
Yeah, I've done a good amount of searching and turned up some useful resources. It's still nice to hear answers because even if there are a lot of repeats, it sucks to be caught off guard by a "simple" fit question.
Can Anyone Detail an HR Screening Process? (Originally Posted: 10/07/2012)
I'm obviously late for most ibd interviews but have still managed to find a few opportunities to apply for...
One of which is a position at a BB which I am the most interested in. From the description of the position, the group does a lot of work with ECM group and gets exposure to derivatives.
I have 2-3 contacts at this bank and one of them mentioned the HR screening process.
Is there anything I can do/should be doing to increase my chances? My contacts have been supportive of me but I'm not sure if that alone could help my candidacy.
basically they skim read your CV looking for keywords and impressive brands.
Phone Interview with HR at IB (Originally Posted: 03/27/2014)
So I'm a sophomore and I had a phone screen with an IB 10 days ago. I was told that I would hear back in around a week, but I didn't get any updates. So I emailed HR (i interviewed with HR) and asked for a status update. Its been 3 days and HR still hasn't gotten back to me, should i email them again, or should i just assume I wasn't selected for a 2nd round?
you try calling? get in contact with as many HR there to confirm. Probably been dinged, so don't waste too much time
I have my interviewers phone number, but I figured a phone call would come across as too annoying. However at the same time i know these opportunities are hard to come by and I don't wana let it go
Never hurts to politely follow up. If email doesn't work. Call them. Polite persistence will never hurt you. Just watch the frequency.
Might be good to reach out to anyone in your network that is already there. Say you were excited after the interview and were waiting to hear the results.
you should wait 2 weeks before reaching out again.
doesn't look good on your advancement to the second round.
but it could be that you are on a waitlist, and they haven't communicated that to you until it has been finalized. chin up and goodluck.
I guess I'll go with a phone call if I don't hear back by tomorrow since another email would probably get ignored again
Phone Interview with HR (Originally Posted: 02/10/2014)
I have a phone interview with HR later this week and was wondering if HR asks technical questions at all.
They may ask a basic logic/maths screening question, like the classic "A lily pad pad in a pond doubles in size every minute. After an hour, the entire pond is covered. At what time does the lily pad cover 25% of the pond?"
HR phone interview feedback (Originally Posted: 05/27/2015)
If the HR says they are going to schedule a interview with the hiring manager, but says you talk fast and need to slow down in the interivew, would the HR tell the hiring manager you talk fast? Or was this mostly just constructive criticism?
Probably not, just constructive criticism. It's great though that you got some feedback so you can prepare for the interview.
I'd say it's more of a constructive criticism. Don't worry about it.
Thanks... I was just worried that HR would say something. The HR also told me what the hiring manager is looking for in her hires which is a big help.
Interviewing in general sucks though
Upcoming HR phone interview for IB this Friday (Originally Posted: 11/27/2014)
I have a first round phone interview for investment banking (Associate). What are some common questions to be prepared for? Any tips on how to do well? Lastly, what are some questions that I should ask to learn more about this firm and position?
Oh jeez, you could write an entire guide over this question! Here are some questions I would definitely be prepared to answer:
"When do you believe the apocalypse will occur?"
"Have aliens visited Earth before?"
"Did Bush do 9/11?"
Knock those out of the park and welcome to Wall Street.
Unfortunately I doubt I'll be able to give you as much insight as SmokeyG. Must admit that was a pretty spectacular answer haha.
Be prepared for a bunch of fit questions. HR typically isn't too technical. They just want to make sure you "check all the boxes" - if you satisfy their qualifications. Your vague comment hampers my ability to suggest questions. Are you interviewing for a product or coverage group? BB or MM or EB? Seems like you're coming from a non-IB background - what's motivating you to switch over into IB? Is the position you're interviewing for located in your city or are you going to have to travel to NY/SF?
I'm sure with enough digging you can find more specifically what your'e looking for.
Phone Call w/ Recruiter (Originally Posted: 09/22/2014)
Hello everyone,
I go to a "semi-target," in Manhattan and I currently have a gpa of 3.9 with experience at a boutique IB firm. A BB firm (think Barclays, Wells Fargo, UBS etc.) solicited my schools career center for resumes for IBD SA 2015 positions. An alumni who is also a recruiter reached out to me today to schedule a phone call (most likely Thursday.) What can I expect from this phone call? Other than walk me thru your resume. Should I be ready for technicals?
Any advice would be appreciated.
PS. I already am well into studying for technicals, but not for fit.
Thanks!
Sounds like a phone interview, so I would be prepared like it's a regular interview...
Phone Call from recruiter (Originally Posted: 06/20/2011)
I got a call from a recruiter today after I applied for an IB Ops Analyst role. Couldn't do the call (was at the grocery store) and it is on tomorrow and I have now idea if I need to be ready for technical stuff or not.
Anyone else ever have these recruiter calls?
Is it just general "Tell me about yourself?" "Why did you apply?" "Why that role?" or should I be expecting something more indepth?
If it's just a recruiter who works for a recruiting agency, then it will be "walk me through your resume" type of thing. He'll ask you what you are looking for, compare it to what he has etc. He's a salesman.
If it's a HR person for a BB etc. then it will be something along the lines of "send me your resume, walk me through it," and if you keep talking they'll start asking questions that you perhaps might not be ready for - not necessarily technical in nature but more job specific, need to be on your toes (so if you're tired say you need to get back to work). I usually don't field those calls past 1-2 minutes. Introduction, send over resume, then say I have to get back to work but I'd like to follow up. For me it wasn't a BB recruiter but big 4, they're after the same thing, getting experienced hires on board with their company.
Are you sure the recruiter is from the same place where you applied? If so, be ready for anything and if you're not prepared be brief but do follow up. They will understand.
The recruiter is from where I applied, spent part of night so far reviewing the role (little notes here on it), the firm, and the division. The call today was first contact by the BB.
They'll ask you to walk through your resume in detail. "walk me through a day at XXXYYYY co. I see you have worked there for xyz period of time." Make it sound as much like the job you're applying for as possible. Don't lie, but focus on the shit they care about, not about something you find important but they might find irrelevant. "Why do you want to leave your current job..... are you able to relocate etc. etc." Could also be an HR person who saw your resume, has no power to get you the job you want, but wants you to fill his quota for hiring in some other department with dreams of doing a good job there and being transferred - bullshit. Stick to your guns. Don't be nervous, don't be desperate, be a mutha fuckin boss ...... but don't be a prick. Don't stumble your words and say a lot of "ughh, like like, ughhhh, like sort of" If you don't know what to say to a particular question - shut your mouth - think about the question - respond. Come off as human and you should find yourself with an invitation to meet with someone in person.
Cookies w/ Milken, thanks so much. I"ll have to let you know how it goes.
Yeah man good luck, now get off WSO and start prepping.
Good call and felt great about it. I have a meeting with the hiring manager Thursday.
what were you asked? I have a call with a HR recruiter this week
Glad you killed it. Keep up the good work.
Is it ops or ibd?
Recruiter calling me, what should I expect? (Originally Posted: 08/07/2013)
I am going to be a junior and definitely interested in going to IBD, an alumni gave me the contact info for a recruiter who recruited him to a BB but now works at a different bank (also BB). I reached out to her just saying I was interested in investment banking and wanted to talk about her BB and her past BBs and she replied asking if I wanted to talk on the phone with her and if I could send her a copy of my resume.
What should I expect from a phone call like this? What kind of questions should I be asking, and what kind of questions (if any) should I expect from her?
And what does this mean for my chances at getting an internship or even an interview at this bank?
I appreciate the feedback!
Honestly I would not expect too much from this phone call. Ask questions about recruiting and interviewing timelines, maybe ask about what they look for in potential candidates, how group placement works. Ask things like that. Having this connection, at least from my experience, if you have a solid resume will get you a first round interview. It will not get you an internship that will have to come from you interviewing abilities. It is a great start though and congratulation!
@ctbanker What if I am expecting several additions to my resume this coming semester (opportunities at my school which are reserved for upperclassmen, along with an internship) that won't yet be on my resume when I talk to her but I believe will significantly increase my resume strength. Should I mention them to her? Or even just put them on my resume...
I am guessing you are recruiting for SA? I would tell her about the opportunities you will have and your plans for the year. Also suggest to her that you will be sending her an updated resume at the end of the semester. Therefore you can have your resume in front of her right now and touch basis with her again at the end of the semester before recruiting starts.
Yeah I am SA but OK good suggestion, thanks. Also do you think I should ask her anything about the recruiting at her former bank or keep it all about where she is at now and make it seem like that's the place I'm interested in most?
Sell yourself first. Tell her why you are interested in the company and IBanking. You should already have a pitch crafted but if you don't I would recommend writing one down. Then if it goes well I would ask towards the end:
"How can I best position myself for an internship at xxxx?" "Would you be willing to put me in contact with other analysts/associates at xxxx?"
Also, articulate clearly that your goal is to earn an analyst position at xxxx, and you are willing to dedicate yourself to doing whatever it takes to get there.
That would be a terrible idea.
This has got to be a joke... -_-
Congrats, one phone call with a recruiter basically means you have the job. Spend a lot of time focusing on your salary and what time of designer clothing is appropriate for the office.
When The Recruiter Calls (Originally Posted: 12/19/2013)
Every so often I get campus recruiters calling about SA positions. They say that XYZ forwarded them over my info and they wanted to touch base and find out if you have any questions about the program. I'll usually ask them about the timeline for interviews etc... Most of the time I have networked within the bank and researched the program and don't have any real questions. If I don't have questions does that show a lack of interest in the bank. Anyone else have these calls? How long are they supposed to take?
You can demonstrate interest by mentioning a positive news item about firm you recently read.
A better way would be to treat it like a cover letter—say you’ve reached out to ABC, an alumnus from your school, and he has provided great insight into the industry and company. You can end it by saying that you are excited about the next steps in the recruitment process.
You are supposed to use them as a resource. If you really want to work for the firm, make a good impression on them and they will go to bat for you...
Lucky guy.
what to expect during first round interview with HR? (Originally Posted: 03/21/2011)
this private equity firm has completed buy-outs but also invested in growth equity companies.
how to best prepare for first round interview with HR?
What level is this? What type of position is it?
forgot to include, it's an Associate level position working with the investment team
the usual 2+ years level out of undergrad
am I going to get technicals?
I am really operating beyond the scope of my knowledge here, but I would not expect technicals more advanced than what HR could read off a sheet of paper and check the answers to.
They won't ask you to talk about some crazy model you built because the words coming out of your mouth would be meaningless to them.
As this is buyside, I would expect a lesser amount of bs "If you were a tree, what kind would you be?" type stuff you might have encountered in earlier positions. Depending on the length of the interview, I would expect normal "fit" questions like "walk me through your resume" and "why xxx firm?"
what are some of the technical questions off the sheet of paper that they might ask? what are the key concepts to know?
It's highly unlikely that they'd ask some technical stuff. As rainmaker said, it would be more the typical behavioural interview with questions like "walk me through your resume", "why PE", "why this firm", "what skills do you bring to the table", blah blah blah. Should be a cakewalk!
what are some good questions to ask? I never had a buy side interview before
Interview with HF HR, What to expect? (Originally Posted: 08/23/2012)
Hi monkeys,
I'm having a phone interview with a HR guy tomorrow morning. The fund is relatively small and is a division of a $1 billion+ AM firm. The HR guy told me that the interview will be less than 30min. What should I expect? All behavioral questions? or some technical questions?
Any help is appreciated.
What job are you applying for there? What level are you coming in from and targeting at the new firm?
Sorry I forgot to mention that. It's an investment analyst intern. I'm a first year MBA student at a target school with some finance work experience.
It will probably be largely behavioral and you may glaze over the status of the markets and current events, or whatever would be relevant to the strategy of the group. Most HF's are of course less technical than PE or IB's, so you will probably want to have a couple of stock pitches ready, and an up to date view of whats going on in the world.
I think ir's fair to say you will get a mix of both, but the technical probably depends on what kind of fund it is. If it's just HR, I doubt they get too technical, other than checking relevant experience to see if you won't be embarrassing for him/her to recommend to speak with the investment team.
thanks for the comments guys. It's a merger arbitrage fund. But do HR guys really know the answers to technical questions?
HR won't ask you finance questions , because HR doesn't know much about finance. There may be some obligatory basic screening , but beyond that - I doubt anyone will ask you anything seriously technical.
From my experience, HR interviews cover your resume, relevant experience, and what you're looking for. Doubtful that you get asked about technicals, stock ideas, or current events because, well, it's HR. That being said, you should always be keeping up with what's going on in the world and have certain companies/industries that you follow if you're serious about landing a gig at a hedge fund IMO.
I agree. Typically with HR phone interviews they will just go through the basics...tell me about yourself, tell me a little about your experience/resume info, they'll most likely explain a little bit about the fund, and explain the position in detail and what they're looking for (pay close attention). Usually it's nothing too taxing, but it's always good to know as much as possible about the fund so do a little research and it never hurts to be up on current, relevant events.
I would guess mostly behavioral, but just in case be ready to answer/converse about general market events currently occurring
HR phonecall??? (Originally Posted: 07/21/2017)
That you're important enough to still be under consideration and they're giving you a courtesy call so you don't freak out. Don't freak out.
I feel like they wouldn't waste their time to call me if it wasn't going to be good news, but I'm still freaking out
Bump
It means your a major contender and they didn't want you to freak. It's a good sign one way or the other that they were courteous enough to call you. Sit tight- I would take it as a good read.
If HR is being nice and keeping you in the loop you are definitely a contender. It's a night and day difference between contender or not, because HR does NOT want you to get a bad taste in your mouth about their company if the hiring manager(s) like you. It's not in their best interest to lose you due to rudeness.
Phone Call with HR (Originally Posted: 08/12/2015)
Hey Monkeys,
I posted a topic few days ago which correlates with this one. I recently contacted a MD at a IB requesting a informational interview. He responded by instructing me to send in a copy of my resume. He then forwarded it to HR. I asked the forum on their thoughts of this and I agree with them that it was a convenient way for the MD to brush me off "no hard feeling this is the way the world works". My previous encounters with HR have always been go to the career tab and apply and we will get back to you so I was not expecting much and wasn't even going to send an email but I thought to myself you never know. I sent an email saying that I want to intern from them next summer (might be blunt but they all know what I really am contacting them for), and to learn more about the process and how to make myself a stronger candidate. I also attached my resume to the email. To my surprise a HR individual emails me back saying they would like to talk to me tom over the phone. I have no idea what to think of this. Should I treat it a possible interview? Any questions to ask? Any advice or thoughts on what should I do.
Thanks guy in advance.
Yes treat it as an interview. Most first round interviews are done over the phone with HR. They will probably ask you to walk them through your resume and what you know about their firm and the job. 30 minutes max, nothing to sweat about, but do some research on the firm first so you have something to talk about. Good luck
Yes. If it's HR, expect a lot fit questions and maybe the basic technicals
Nice one. What size of firm is it and what role?
Initial HR Phone Call (Originally Posted: 12/06/2012)
Hey everyone,
My resume was sent along to Citi for an ER position and the head of recruiting got in touch and wants to talk tomorrow. I have no idea as to what coverage area this will be pertaining to nor do I have any real specifics on the position itself other than it is in research. What are some realistic expectations for this initial phone call? Behavioral and fit? Anything else I should look at?
Actually, I'm fairly certain this is for broadline retailers/ Food & Drug... Any way to specifically prepare for this type of coverage? Any material/guidance would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
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