I've seen the thread with the hardest interview questions that was a great resource. However, I wanted to ask you fellows what is the Hardest or most interesting behavioral questions you've either been asked or heard about?
| +56 | Is a 3.6 good enough | 38 | 5h | |
| +25 | What are my options? | 13 | 3d | |
| +20 | Dream Job vs Dream Location | 15 | 2d | |
| +18 | Recently Moved, Not Enjoying it and Wondering How Long to Stay | 2 | 1d | |
| +18 | Didnt Convert Twice - Screwed? | 1 | 22h | |
| +16 | Non-finance post-PE exits | 8 | 6d | |
| +16 | hf recruiting - headhunter or cold outreach? | 4 | 2d | |
| +15 | Value of a math minor? | 5 | 16h | |
| +15 | GPA Non-Target | 6 | 2d | |
| +15 | Struggling to Network for Full-Time IB Recruiting | 6 | 1d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
I was asked "What is the worst thing you've ever done?" I froze, lol. Eventually I lied and told them that I ate some weird crap while on a trip. He obviously did not believe me, but I still got offered.
.
What’s the biggest lie on your resume?
"Nothing. And I'm offended you think I'm a liar."
'Hmmmmm that's a hard one, can I narrow it down to my top 3?'
( I think you have to go with humor)
What animal best describes your personality?
To this day I am kicking myself over saying the first animal that came to mind - my dog. But at least it wasn't as bad as the chick before me who said "caterpillar". I guess because she had some spiritual awakening and metamorphosed into a butterfly, or some shit.
Sequence of two questions:
"Tell me about one of your personal heroes."
"Tell me about a time that hero failed you."
Ended up with the offer and the job, later found out that this is how they tested to see how people responded to strong emotion. Some people cry, some people walk out, some people lash out, some people smile and respond. Didn't really matter what your answer was, they were just looking for the way in which you responded.
I can't believe people would lash out or walk out... Maybe that question brings up stronger emotions for them than it would for me but come on.
The "Accusing the Interviewer of Lying" behavioral questions are the toughest.
ie.
Interviewer: Why didn't you say excuse me after entering the room and then farting?
Candidate's possible responses: a) "I didn't fart." (Accuses Interviewer of Lying) b) "Whoever smelt it dealt it." (Rejected)
You're pretty much screwed either way.
"Because it was silent and I didn't think it would smell"
"Trust me, we wouldn't be this far into the interview if I farted"
"Because I a few more coming throughout this interview and I figured I would offer a bulk apology at the end"
hahahaha something similar happened to me. I really didn't have a huge passion for credit risk analysis, but in undergrad interviews an alum got me an interview with the credit MD at JP Morgan and I printed "Objective: To become a credit risk analyst at a major US bank" or something like that on the top of my resume. Oh man, he tore me apart on that.
You probably had a better answer than I did...
Teach me a concept/skill I don't know already. This one required some creative thinking on my feet.