Robert W. Baird Interview
I got a phone interview on Wednesday, and I was wondering what exactly to expect when interviewing with these guys. It's for a summer analyst position in IBD.
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It's going to be a lot of fit questions. They are going to want to know why you want the position and what you are hoping to get out of it. In addition, they are going to talk to you about your coursework and which classes were your favorite, least favorite, etc. I would be very surprised for a summer position that they would ask on a phone interview anything technical but know the four main valuation methodologies (at a high level) and be able to walk down a simple income statement. Good luck.
How did the interview go, mssales?
first SA IB phone interview. RW Baird (Originally Posted: 10/16/2015)
I have my first phone interview for a SA IB position at RW Baird in 2 weeks. Also, I have a phone interview for an SA position at Lincoln around the same time. I REALLY want to turn one of these into something, so how advanced should my technical knowledge be for me to be successful? I have the BIWS interview guide so I have study material.
if you really want to turn the interviews into an ac then prepare like hell. you cannot predict whether they will only ask competency or strength based questions - if the interviewer is in a bad mood he can grill you on technicals - so better be prepared. and: better be overprepared than underprepared (better for your self confidence).
Which technical concepts should I focus on? I only have a week or so to prepare... but I do have a decent understanding of accounting, and some valuation methods... nothing like a banker though, obviously.
How did this go?
I spent three years at Baird - excellent culture and place to work, especially for banking. If you have the option, I'd choose them.
Hey The PsYcHoLoGy, I have just spoken to one of the 1st year analysts today on phone via connection on LinkedIn. I have read multiple threads up here on WSO to try to find out its reputation in London compared to other MM's such as Jefferies, William Blair, DC Advisory etc but couldn't get a solid opinion. You mentioned it was a great place to work, so I am wondering you probably have more insights / ideas about it? Do you mind sharing some of your thoughts?
First Baird SA phone interview (Originally Posted: 12/15/2011)
A few days ago an associate from Baird's IBD e-mailed me asking for a 20-minute phone interview to discuss my resume and interest in Baird. Will this be a behavioral interview or should I prepare for technicals too? I applied for SA, by the way.
Thank you in advance for any help.
When I had a SA phone interview with them (two years ago) the technicals they asked were:
Am I familiar with the different ways of Valuing a Company? Name them. Could you give me a brief overview of a DCF? (note: this is different from asking "walk me through a DCF") How do you calculate Enterprise Value?
Those are the only 3 I remember and then it was more behavioral.
Asked me of their offices, which one would I most prefer to work at? and why? Why Baird? What about the MM is appealing to you?
... The guy who gave me a phone interview was kind of a dick though and I guess he ended up leaving the firm for Citi while the SA class was there. Everyone else I met during the Superday, etc was awesome though - it's a really great firm, congratulations man!
make sure you can articulate the valuation methodologies well --- comps, precedent trans, dcf, lbo and their rankings from higher values to lower. know the flaws in capm and terminal values
talk about how you like more responsibility etc. for y mm. if u go to a small school bring up how u like to interact with ur professors and that it is similar to working at an mm shop. Talk about their increases in revenue and how they are better positioned than the BBs
doubt u will get ne brainteasers.
also make sure u have y banking down too.
Thank you. How deep do first interviews usually go into technical questions?
I had a first round with Baird for a full time and they asked 2 technical questions if I remember correctly. They asked an accounting question - how depreciation flowed through the 3 statements and to walk through an LBO.
yeah depreciation flowing thru statments is most likely one. Prepare as though they will ask every techinical. Definetly don't expect that it will be mostly fit.
PM me
Okay one thing I was hoping someone could clear up for me is how a decrease in depreciation affects the financial statements. I thoroughly understand how an increase of depreciation expense flows through the statements and all of the line items it changes, but I still haven't been able to get a definitive answer about any decrease.
Is that because there isn't one? Unless you're talking about a decrease in accumulated depreciation, say through a sale of a plant? If so, would it just boost NI/RE, increase cash from Investing activities and ultimately the ending cash balance? And finally would there be no net change in CA if you sold the item for book value?
Thanks in advance, this has been bugging me for a while.
Bump
Has anyone heard back from Baird IBD about first round interviews (non OCR)?
I got emailed last week for an interview in Equity Research but still haven't heard back from IBD.
Heard back today about preliminary IBD interview. Does anyone have suggestions of what kinds of things they will ask and if this will be more technical or fit? Thanks!
Interviewed with them last year for SA position and also went to their Chicago superday. My first phone interview with them consisted of behaviorals, technicals, and brain teasers as well. Brain teasers included how to calculate the sum of 1 to 100 and calculating degrees between the hour and minute hand of a clock at 1:45 PM. Technicals were mostly focused on DCF, how to calculate WACC, and how to arrive at the inputs for WACC.
Black Jack, I had the prelim interview yesterday. It was quick and was all behavioral, consisted of walk me through your resume, why Barid, why investment banking, what do you expect to get out of the internship. Granted I am guessing each interviewer has authority to interview how they want, but he said decisions will be made next week and supper day the following week.
Good luck
Went quite well. No technicals.
RW Baird (Originally Posted: 09/25/2010)
I have a first round phone interview coming up with RW Baird and was wondering if anyone has been through the process and wants to point out anything specific. Also, it looks like after searching through the forums people have had 2+ phone interviews with them, is this standard before getting invited to super day.
Also, I know I am getting way ahead of myself, but I have a superday with BMO, if given both opportunities which would give me a better experience, deal flow, etc.
bump.
I would like to know this as well
Anyone have insight?
Bump, any info on RW Baird first round phone interviews?
er or ib?
IB. Phone interview tomorrow for summer analyst program.
Any advice?
i had a walk you through your resume, why ib, and why baird (just those 3) phone interview last week.
they really stress why baird, so id have a good answer for that.
Thanks a lot! Check your PM if you can.
make sure you praise baird a lot, they're big on that.
yes why baird.
try to squeze in my mm why ib and sound enthusiastic about the firm.
RW Baird phone interview (Originally Posted: 04/03/2013)
Should I expect standard "walk me through your resume," fit questions, basic technical questions? This is for a FT banking position...please let me know, thanks
How did you get the interview? What location/group is it for?
Also- I've talked to a few Baird people and they said it's important to not sound like an a**hole. They like to hire genuine, down to earth, midwestern type people.
Yeah it'd help to know if this is capital markets focused or industry group... I'd expect basic techs but maybe a little more advanced if you had a summer analyst stint last summer. I had a first round with Baird for a summer position last year and it consisted of a resume walkthrough, depreciation question, and discount rate question.
ok thanks, so basic first round screening stuff?
my experience with Baird phone interview was everything lucidfighter mentioned. Walk me through your resume, why baird, and some simple tech's (DCF, how do you determine IRR)
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