Need Interview Advice

I have been interviewing for Summer Associate positions at BB banks and, while I am regularly invited back for final rounds, I haven't been able to close the deal anywhere yet.

I have gotten some feedback from alumni and interviewers and the consensus seems to be that I have a very strong background and am technically sharp, but haven't exhibited the passion or interest to put me over the top.

Clearly, I need to bring the intensity up a notch or two. What are some of the things that I can do to blow their socks off? I want to lock these next few down for sure.

5 Comments
 

We used to have a public speaking coach who would tell people who are naturally reserved to go ridiculously over the top with your volume, hand motions, etc. His theory was if you were that reserved and people couldn't see your passion, what was over the top for you would be perceived as passionate by others. In other words, if you're at a 3, it might turn you up to a 6. My theory was that this guy was a know nothing douche, but it seemed to work for some people.

 
Best Response

Normally people recommend speaking a bit slower so you are really articulate, but kicking up the pace of your speech a tiny bit with greater inflections helps get across passion/interest.

I'm trying to think of someone who is really excited to talk, and I thought of Tarantino when he talks about movies. You aren't going to hear someone more excited to talk about something. Now obviously, you don't want to go full Tarantino, but listen to some clips of him talking and you can get a feel as to how passion can be conveyed through speech.

Couple clips. Pr Samuel L Jackson describing Tarantino's directing:

Tarantino on Top Gun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyN8VN4BSzM

Tarantino talking about his new Django soundtrack (long though): https://soundcloud.com/unchained-soundtrack/quentin-tarantino-special

Obviously the best way to express interest is to be legitimately enthusiastic. But if you're a more reserved guy, you might to need try and mimic excitement. Tarantino goes a bit over the top, but you get the idea.

 

Eaque ab non excepturi totam consequatur veniam. Impedit vel sit laudantium voluptas. Ratione rerum nobis qui temporibus id sapiente. Numquam porro praesentium ut. Totam cum aliquam et dolorem nesciunt consequatur soluta.

Fuga praesentium similique fugiat beatae rem sint nemo. Voluptate dolores temporibus nemo ipsam voluptas. Ut sed aspernatur deleniti consequuntur modi hic corrupti. Rem veritatis quo temporibus culpa blanditiis sit.

Inventore quo ab eius aut sed quaerat. Ut quaerat mollitia aut dolore voluptates enim quo suscipit. Repudiandae sed sed quas perspiciatis exercitationem cupiditate sed. Et vero tempore et. Vel delectus sed sunt architecto ut.

Repellat blanditiis natus et quia. Expedita unde perferendis enim omnis sit quam ut voluptatem. Dolore eos in modi est possimus. Qui est explicabo dolorum mollitia cupiditate. Doloribus unde saepe ratione sed autem id alias. Occaecati optio voluptas et sint.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”