Is having a paid agency / paid career coach (Analyst, associate..) that are working full time in the bank count as cheating? (Leaked question bank etc.)

Using paid agencies or career coaches to prepare for banking recruitment is not inherently considered cheating, as long as the services provided are ethical and do not involve violating recruitment policies. Many candidates use career coaches to refine their resumes, practice interviews, and improve their overall presentation. However, if these services include access to leaked question banks or proprietary materials from the hiring firm, this crosses the line into unethical behavior and could be considered cheating.

Key Points to Consider:

1. Ethical Use of Career Coaches:

   • Career coaches are widely used in the industry to help candidates prepare for interviews and improve their skills. This is generally accepted as long as the preparation is based on publicly available resources and does not involve any form of dishonesty.

2. Leaked Question Banks:

   • If candidates are using leaked question banks or proprietary materials from the hiring firm, this is a clear violation of ethical standards. It undermines the fairness of the recruitment process and could lead to serious consequences if discovered.

3. Performance Discrepancy:

   • The issue you mentioned, where candidates perform well in interviews but struggle during the internship, could be a red flag. It might indicate over-reliance on external help or unethical preparation methods.

4. Reporting Concerns:

   • If you have concrete evidence that candidates are using leaked materials or engaging in unethical practices, it may be worth reporting this to HR or senior staff. However, ensure that your claims are substantiated to avoid unnecessary accusations.

5. Cultural Sensitivity:

   • Be cautious about generalizing behaviors to specific groups, such as Chinese students. Focus on the actions of individuals rather than attributing issues to a particular demographic.

Actionable Advice:

• If you suspect unethical behavior, document any evidence you have before approaching HR or senior staff. Be professional and objective in your communication.
• Encourage firms to enhance their recruitment processes by incorporating more practical assessments or case studies to evaluate candidates' real-world skills, reducing the reliance on interview performance alone.

Ultimately, the goal should be to maintain a fair and transparent recruitment process while addressing any concerns in a constructive manner.

Sources: Bank withdrawing signed/accepted offer?, My Issues with Diversity Recruiting in Finance, A friend of mine cheated and got an Internship offer at a BB IB, Are career coaches worth it?