BlackRock Virtual Cover Letter Hireview
Has anyone applied to BlackRock to be a full-time analyst and received a request to submit a virtual cover letter? I'm not sure what to expect so if anyone has completed it and could tell me what questions were on it that would be great! I'm not sure whether to expect to submit one long story about my background or have to answer specific questions.
BlackRock Virtual Cover Letter Hireview
BlackRock Video Interview Questions
They ask the same basic, behavioral questions for each video interview. Only two questions are asked, with 30 seconds to prepare and 1 minute 30 sec to answer the question. Questions vary depending on the department, but examples include:
- Why did you choose your major and how do you believe it will help you in your professional career?
- Why would you be good for the role?
- Why do you think you're a good fit for BlackRock and why did you decide to apply to your division of preference?
- What has been your favorite course at school and why?
- How would you value the risk of 100 Apple shares?
- What differentiates BlackRock?
More answers to frequent questions can be found here.
How to Prepare for Blackrock Video Interview
Prepare answers to the sample questions above in advance, and practice in front of a webcam. It takes getting used to the online format, so you want to be prepared! Also make sure to keep your practiced answers under the 1:30 time limit. Review your resume for things you want to highlight, and make sure you’re ready for curveball questions not on the list above.
Make sure you’re dressed in a suit or business professional (at least from the waist up). Ensure you’re in a well-lit and quiet area, with minimal background distractions.
Blackrock Hireview General FAQs
These are webcam interviews, so make sure your camera and microphone works. Usually everyone has to do one. Most receive an email a few minutes after submitting their applications, and they ask for different virtual cover letters for each of your choices in BlackRock. Typically they give a deadline of 3 days, but many users have done it after the deadline without any issues.
A follow-up email, if you haven’t completed the assessment, usually consists of this:
"This is a friendly reminder that you have been selected to move forward in the recruitment process with BlackRock. The next step of the process will consist of a short, automated video interview to allow us to get to know you a little better and provide you with an opportunity to highlight your talent and abilities.”
Hey, I'd also like to find out about this. Also, is there a deadline for completion of the BlackRock virtual cover letter?
It is well specified in the letter: within 3 days!
I replied to mine 6 days late and the application went through without problems. I know many people who also submitted it the cover letter late and have had no problems. Thats being said, do it as soon as you can.
After the video cover letter is completed, how long does it take for BlackRock to get back to applicants for the next steps?
I mean I completed the virtual cover letter in early August and never heard back so assuming they just ghost reject people lol
Do you guys know if everyone who applies gets asked to complete the virtual cover letter? Or do some get cut before that round?
I'm pretty sure everyone has to do one. I recieved an email almost seconds after submitting my application. They ask for a virtual cover letter from both your choices. Has anyone done the virtual cover letter yet, if so could they tell say how it was and what it entails.
The deadline is in three days, did you manage to do it. How was it? What was in it as well?
bump.
Would also like to know what this entails if anyone has gone through it!
People say economic theories don't apply too well to real-life scenarios... But I feel like I'm sensing the free-rider problem or information asymmetry or Nash equilibrium or something here...
you are now one of them. plz tell us
Can someone please tell us whats on it?
Bump- Anyone do this and can comment?
bump, also interested
You're all overthinking it, they're basic questions like why did you pick your major, why would you be good for the role, etc. I applied to two positions, both asked the same exact questions. Not sure if they mix up the questions they send to candidates, but they're behavioral. You have 30 seconds to do a practice and then a minute thirty to answer. I applied FT and already did virtual interview, it says in the email that they make all candidates do it. Also, BlackRock is doing virtual first-round interviews. Hope that helps
Is it a webcam interview?? Or you just need to type your answers?
Webcam
Just did it and would agree. Sort of rattled when I did it since it was my first HireVue interview - would highly recommend practicing/being comfortable looking at the webcam.
what kind of questions did they ask? Do you speak or type?
Same, applied to multiple roles in the past. Questions are basic... Why your major. Why Blackrock. Basic technical questions such as "How would you quantify the risk of holding XYZ stock" etc.
Did any of you apply to Investments? I applied on 8/3 for full-time through an employee referral but my confirmation email said nothing about a virtual cover letter and I haven't heard anything since then.
I applied to quantitative investment and I was asked for a virtual cover letter
Investments is no longer an option on their app. I'm assuming that means that they'll down with recruiting for that division?
Could you share a little about your virtual cover letter questions? And did you receive further information? Thx!
I applied to investments and had to submit a virtual cover letter.
Hi, I am applying to BlackRock this year, and also received a virtual cover letter, do you mind sharing your experiences, and types of questions being asked? Thanks so much!
Same here. I also applied through a referral but never received any virtual cover letter thing. Which team do you applied to?
a
If I recall correctly they give you approx. 2 minutes to answer each question with 1:30 min to read and prepare (also comes with a video asking the same question beforehand and practice rounds). Questions I got: 1. Why do you think you're a good fit for BlackRock and why did you decide to apply to your division of preference (something along those lines)? 2. Why did you choose your major and how do you believe it will help you in your professional career? Pretty straightforward.
Btw, anyone know when we'll hear back?
Are there only 2 questions? Thanks
Yeah, two questions. Very short interview. Good luck.
Exact Questions were (2 minutes to respond to each):
You're right. I had several interviews that week so I forgot the specifics...Thanks for clarifying.
I applied to FMA and Client Business about 2 weeks ago. Havent heard back. Anyone heard back yet?
A
Still haven't heard back either and its been 2+ weeks
Bump, any updates anyone?
Now I'm the newest to this thread who has this virtual interview due in 3 days :/
The deadline for mine is tomorrow :'(
Anyone know when they start interviewing? Or did they already start?
bump
Anyone hear anything for FMA?
Nothing yet, finished my virtual cover letter a week ago..
Just finished my virtual cover letter, the questions are exactly the same as @FreedStones said
Anything new?
I did the virtual cover letter too. The questions are about: 1) Why this field of profession? 2) Why BlackRock? 3) Why the major you studied? 4) How you bring your skills to the firm? Or the combination of two of them.
Tips: I heard from the recruiter at a campus event that you don't need to repeat the question, because it's a waste of time. I did repeat the question though... before I heard this. Yes, I'm dumb dumb :)
Still no response.. I expect we'll start hearing back in mid october
Last year, I applied mid September, got interview invite mid November and got rejected in ... March
wow that's super slow
one of my classmates got an invitation for recorded interview last week. don't know if that's the first round
I think every applicant gets one
I didn't
I have
Careful, if you apply outside the UK, second question is in the language of the office you are applying to. That was not a nice surprise...
Ok so I completed my virtual cover letter this Thursday night, and got this Friday night:
"This is a friendly reminder that you have been selected to move forward in the recruitment process with BlackRock. The next step of the process will consist of a short, automated video interview to allow us to get to know you a little better and provide you with an opportunity to highlight your talent and abilities."
Do they send this to everyone who applied?
I thought the Virtual Cover Letter = short, automated video interview?
Yeah that's what I thought too but I got this after I submitted the virtual cover letter...
I haven't heard anything after finishing my cover letter (3 weeks ago)..so I guess I'm not selected to move forward?
Thanks
@yiyooo which office/position did you apply to?
SF & client businesses
Some of my classmates received the same thing. The questions are exactly the same. very confused
anyone heard back from them after completing virtual cover letter? its been 2 weeks I guess I didnt get through :/
I also applied weeks ago and have not heard anything. I applied to NY Client Business
I have never shit the bed harder in life than I did on that virtual cover letter.
All they ask you is why Blackstone, why the position you applied for, why you would be a good fit etc. I'm just a rookie moron and figured I would wing a few behavioral questions with no preliminary research. Don't be like me.
Lol "why Blackstone"? At least get the company name right dude haha
+1 Silver Banana. Fuck.
You are so funny! I like it.
I did it two days ago. I was taken back because I wasn't expecting to be recorded through video on my answers, but essentially that's what it is. Standard behavioral questions. For example, I applied for the multi-asset trading desk as an SA, and they asked: "Why did you choose your major"? And "How will that impact your career"? They give you about 1min 30 seconds to record your answers. They also give you about a 1 min to prepare before it starts recording. For my role, there were only two questions asked, both of which was recorded. If you apply to multi positions you'll have to record a virtual cover letter for both positions.
Side Note: dress in a suit as they expect you to look professional....or at least from the waste up
How does the timer work? Do you have to fill up the entire 1min 30s time? Or is there a button to stop recording if you have fully answered the question before the timer is up?
Do you have to use up the full minutes of time? Or can you stop the recording early if you have fully answered the question?
You can stop it early. There's a button that allows you to stop recording.
Ok so who has completed the Virtual Cover letter and still not heard back from BlackRock?
I was told interviews would be held late October, early November by a recruiter. I applied for a FI summer analyst position, so I'm not sure about FT
Got the interview yesterday. They take place the 20th for first round and 21st the second round
Congrats! First and second rounds are back-to-back?
Mine is part of their founders scholars program. But yeah they are back to back
Anyone heard back from their FT FMA after completing their cover letter?
I haven't. I think the only people who have heard back are those who applied with BFS
Haven't heard back either. Submitted mine on 2nd October. What did you apply for?
hii, It's mentioned in Job description of Analyst program as "Analyst program is a two year program" what does it actually mean?
For all interested - its literally a 3 question virtual cover letter in which you talk about your major selection, pathway to applying, and why BlackRock is a good fit for you. 30 seconds to "prep" and 2 minutes to respond. Don't sweat.
bump. Anyone heard back regarding the virtual cover letter for the analyst program yet?
No apparently they start for FT in mid-November
Has anyone interviewed with the Alternative Investments group?
Any update for the ones who applied FT ?
Haven't heard anything
Has anyone applied for two divisions? I will have to do the virtual cover letter and I don't know if I have to talk about both of them when answering "why this division". Or they ask for 2 CL? tks
i believe you must do two virtual cover letters.
I applied to two divisions. Long story short I slipped up and didn't submit a video for either. Even though I didn't send in a video, financial modelling reached out with a follow-up assessment. No more developments as of yet, surprised the lack of videos slipped through the cracks. Regardless, a takeaway is that the two divisions aren't going to compare your applications, they seem pretty separate.
Lucky you! Thanks!
This year the questions are: Why BlackRock and this position? and (the one which is different) What differentiates BlackRock?
Camba Also, you have a lot of time after they give you the question to prepare, but since you know the questions you shouldn't need it. You have 1 minute 30 to answer, which is very short. I would just do plenty of research on BlackRock and the position. Practice in front of the camera (I just used photobooth). Hirevue tracks your eye movement, word selection, and timbre of your voice. You can have notes on your screen and its better to go with an outline than read, or memorize. I passed it and had a first round interview.
Hope this helps!
Hi, thanks for your sharing. Did you apply for the London office or other areas? Were you required to choose the position in the application form or only within the cover letter stage？Is online testing involved in the process?
Many thanks.
Did anybody get past the first round interviews yet?
I just did the video Cover Letter and the first question I got was : Why did you choose to apply to BlackRock and this specific business? which, I've seen up here before, but my second was asking: How does BlackRock differentiate itself?
Just thought I would share. It was a little awkward for me because I basically already answered the second question in the first question.
How did you even answer those questions
Which role and location did you apply for? Analyst programme? Thanks
Any updates for anyone? I did my cover letter a couple weeks ago and was just asked to answer a couple more questions for them on hirevue.
Have you answered the questions yet? what are they?
Haven't yet. Probably gonna do some prep today and do them tomorrow before it's due at midnight.
Hi everyone! I completed the first part of the application for FMA and equities investments in LDN and Scotland and now have to do the virtual cover letter. Does any of you know about the questions they asked? Thank you!!!
Hi there, completed the virtual cover letter today and the questions are as before:
1) Why did you choose to apply to BlackRock and this specific business?
2) What differentiates BlackRock?
Hi, did you apply for the graduate analyst role in LDN? Thanks
Yeah I did the cover letter and it was pretty straight forward. Why did you choose to apply to BlackRock and this specific business. What differentiates BlackRock.
I just did mine a few days ago, anybody that has done it, when do you typically hear back. I was talking to my boss from when I interned there for my second co-op, and she said she wasn't sure but probably like 2 weeks.
i have done it since september, all i received (on 27 octobeR) was an invite to complete contextual survey. im an int'l graduate student so dont know what it meant (if my application was successful or not)
I'm in the same situation, has anyone else heard back from them after the contextual survey?
I submitted the virtual interview on 10/4 and finally yesterday I got an email saying "Thank you for submitting your application to the position at BlackRock. We are currently reviewing your application and we will be in contact with you shortly. "
Is this a glitch?
I didn't get that. HR directly e-mailed me.
i haven't got it yet
when did you graduate?
Did any international student receive the "rare contextual survey"? I received an invitation to that, but the email also included "... survey only open to applicants who completed their secondary school education in the UK". I did not study in the UK, so I suppose I should ignore this survey? Yet I was invited.
Not sure what to do. Hopefully my decision won't affect my chances of any further progress.
i asked them and they said its not important and you can ignore it.
its only for home students. what role did you apply and when did you graduate?
Has anyone been selected for the first round? I have been selected for trading SA. Have 2x30 min interview in one week
I recently applied for the Portfolio Analyst Program at New York. I got an email to complete the hirevue assessment within 3 days. As I am unable to complete within the given time frame, I emailed the university relations team and then I got an automated email mentioning that they don't give an extension. Can the hirevue assessment be completed after 3 days?
Can anyone tell me which groups are the most over saturated with applications? FMA? PAG? Equities?
I just wanna know which groups to avoid when applying this summer.
Adivce about BlackRock Virtual Cover Letter Invitation - Hireview (Originally Posted: 02/11/2018)
Hi fellows, I just got an invitation to take a virtual cover letter interview from BlackRock. Can you please advice and share your experience? What should I expect and what are the do's and don't's that I should be careful about?
snk.nazir, hey, look at the bright side, at least you didn't get a ton of monkey shit thrown at you...here is my best guess on threads that might be helpful:
If we're lucky, the following users may have something to say: nelobynature Joe_Bananas @totan.ftu2"
Hope that helps.
bump, someone take one for the team and tell us the questions
has anyone heard back since the virtual cover letter?
what were your virtual cover letter questions? if you dont mind me asking.
Hi, do u mind pm me the questions for BlackRock?
Does anyone know if the hirevue questions this year is the same as last year?
Took the hirevue, can confirm questions were same as last year
Just finished the hirevue today. There are two questions totally. For each question, candidate is allowed to take 5 mins to preprare and 1min30s to answer the question. My questions were 1) Why did you apply to BlackRock and the specific business? 2) What made BlackRock differentiate from other firms?
Thanks for sharing!! Just wondering did you apply for 2019 analyst position?
I applied ft 2019 FT analyst position and the questions were: Why BlackRock and the specific business? What differentiates Blackrock from other firms? Also, lol, I applied to two positions, and the questions were the EXACT same. (You still do it twice seperately) So it was awkward explaining why for one position, and then completely changing my answer to fit the 2nd specific business.
Does anyone have any idea of what their recruiting timeline looks like or when we'll begin to hear back post virtual cover letter?
Anyone apply and not receive a cover letter request instantly lol
has anyone heard back yet?
I had two HireVues very recently. My two questions were "Why BlackRock, why [x division]" and "How does BlackRock differentiate itself from its competitors"
What's your role for application?
Have you heard back after the hirevues yet tho?
I am going to complete now. Wish me luck. Will report back!
I applied for the Equities and ETF & Index Investing. I did not prepare enough. I get stressed out when I prepare too much so I tried to speak naturally. Good choice? Depends, I could have had a much better answer for sure but I wanted to speak naturally instead.
Well, anyways GL to you all and see you around.
Questions for both VCLs: 1. Why did you choose to apply to Blackrock and to this specific industry and 2. How does Blackrock differentiate itself.
More importantly - does anyone know if BR is even hiring for FT in anything?
Yeah, they are hiring for full time positions from what I've heard. Has anybody heard back for sa 2019 yet?
Any update for FT?
anyone get any updates?? (for US)
Any update for summer analyst? A friend on the east coast got 1st round interview for ETF at New York office
When did they contact him informing him about the first round interview? I applied but I haven't heard back yet, someone told me to give it two more weeks
He heard from BR this Monday. I applied as well and haven't heard back either.
Has anyone heard back about final rounds for ETF interviews yet?
Has anyone else heard back from Aladdin Client Service?
Hey guys! I know it's pretty early but Does anyone know the virtual cover letter questions for this year? Thank you in advance!!!!
Bump
bump
When I completed the HireVue, I got 1) why Blackrock/why this division? and 2) tell me about a recent story in the news and how it relates to Blackrock.
might be worded slightly differently, been a couple weeks
Just finished mine today, the questions are exactly the same as what you have mentioned!
I just applied to the full-time analyst program but I did not receive a virtual cover letter, and my application portal does not provide me a link - do you get an automatic email immediately?
Similar issue here. I applied to 2 positions and received one VCL link but not the other. I'll email them about it and see what they say.
Did you end up getting the links?
ya got the links it just showed up on my portal eventually
does anyone keep getting the “oh you didn’t complete your video assessment we’ve decided to give you 48 hours to re-submit” lmaoooo
ahaha yea bruh I'm with u man
the struggle is real
Hi. Can you please share the kind of questions you were asked during the virtual cover letter stage? Thanks in advance.
Anyone have the 2020 questions? Thanks
Hey all, I recently gave VCL for Portfolio Analyst 2021 position at Tokyo.
Questions were pretty straightforward:
1. Why blackrock and this specific position?
2. Tell me about any recent news and how it relates to blackrock?
I gave interview 3 days before and still didn't got any reply, any idea when will they reply generally?
TIA
Hey, did you hear back recently?
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