What Is Expected?

Im a sophomore at an Ivy majoring in econ waiting on investment banking interviews for upcoming BB and Boutique internships this summer, and Im wondering what is generally expected of me during the interviews? Do banks treat sophomores the same way they do juniors; should I be able to solve technical questions? Or are interviews generally more behavioral at this point? I havent gotten the chance to take any finance courses yet because of prerequisites not being met, so Im kind of worried about not being able to solve any technical questions that they throw at me. Should I invest in BIWS at this point when I'll probably be taking an intro finance course this spring semester/next fall?

9 Comments
 

Wait, your at an IVY but you do not know how to use the search function?

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 
heisterWait, your at an IVY but you do not know how to use the search function?

Used the search function, couldn't find much material answering this particular question right off the bat.

 

Get an interview guide. BIWS is good. There's no point in going into your interviews unprepared- it's impossible to know what to expect.

To echo heister- the search function is really effective.

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 

im also majoring in econ (at non target) and unsure how my econ skills could do anything for a boutique, as the econ ive learned doesnt seem relevant to IB and boutiques dont have too much training.

You should be fine for a BB though, they know you're majoring in econ so they're not going to ask you hard tech finance questions, but they will ask alot of questions about the market in general like europe, the volcker plan, etc

[quote=rufiolove]When evaluating whether or not to post something on WSO, I think to myself, "would an idiot post this" and if the answer is yes, I do not post that thing...[/quote]
 

Hope you don't go to my school... that would be shameful.

Half kidding. But to answer your question: see above, know what's going in markets, know the basics of the financial crisis and the Eurozone crisis, be prepared to talk about your CV, leadership experience, quantitative experience, any experience that proves you can handle the work, why this firm, and finally maybe some basic accounting/valuation. Soph interviews, esp if you go to a more "liberal-arts" target (think H/P), will be lighter on technicals. good luck

 
last_stopHope you don't go to my school... that would be shameful.

Half kidding. But to answer your question: see above, know what's going in markets, know the basics of the financial crisis and the Eurozone crisis, be prepared to talk about your CV, leadership experience, quantitative experience, any experience that proves you can handle the work, why this firm, and finally maybe some basic accounting/valuation. Soph interviews, esp if you go to a more "liberal-arts" target (think H/P), will be lighter on technicals. good luck

Thanks for the useful input, I'm already comfortable with that much. But as others said I suppose I'll give a run through Damodaran to be prepared just in case. Dont know why everyone else in this thread has a stick up his ass.

 

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Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne

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