Is "Passion for Finance" Enough?
What do/did ya'll answer when asked "why finance/IBD/S&T"?
I'm really interested in the markets (no shit), but other than that, there's nothing too fancy or unique. (No, when I was 8 years old, I did not play some stock market simulation game and fell passionately in love since then, etc.) So is there anyway to come across as convincing with just that? Any suggestions on how to dress it up?
(I have a mostly-fit interview coming up for S&T.)
Thanks in advance.
You do not have a "passion" for finance. Just like you do not have a passion for school, or studying or anything else related to that. Passion, lust, etc do not belong in cover letters OR in your interview answers. They're to cliche and way to sexual. Be honest, you like the markets - you have a sincere interest in them - but you are not passionate about it. Think about it. It just sounds silly.
interested in the markets, fast paced environment, challenging. if you can prove you are smart and actually have an interest in the markets and follow them this will help significantly
I'd ding any kid who told me they have a 'passion for finance.' That's like saying you have a 'passion for calculus.' I'm sorry, but nobody loves finance. They love the oppportunities that can be had from working in finance. Obviously don't say "I want this job because I want to get PAID!" but don't also make it out like you'd take UNICEF salary to do S&T. That's just disingenuous.
the best answers to this question are extremely personal. ground your "why S&T" answer in a specific facet of your application.
ie - what i used to say during my S&T (emphasis on the S...) interviews:
I'm intelligent, as are all of the candidates you're interviewing today. However, I think one of the problems with being somewhat smart is that even when you're bad at something, you aren't terrible at it. Therefore, there's no impetus to really find what it is that you are particularly good at or to develop your, quote unquote comparative advantage. I want a job that takes advantage of the things I do really well, because then not only will I really love my work, I'll be good at it. So while I may not be able to multiply large numbers in my head - I am confident in my ability to be persuasive and sell just about anything, as evidenced by my extensive public speaking background. My quantitative abilities, while perhaps not my strongest skill set, are still strong, and will allow me to understand the products which I am selling to the firm's clients, serving to make me more persuasive.
It was much better worded and well delivered with appropriate pauses. And before anyone says anything, I realize it's UTTER BS, but not only did it work well (to the tune of 3 BB offers from a semi target and with a fairly low GPA), but I got frequent compliments on it from my interviewers. Also, it was great because I avoided getting a single quant or technical question ... I'd straight up told them that math wasn't my strong suit, so why would they question me on it?
If you want to go the mkts route - the other thing I used to say was that I really liked seeing my personal choices & the choices of my friends (ie - Mac vs PC, Lululemon IPO etc) translate into market movements, whether sector or stock specific. If you're going to do this though, pick an interesting retail stock. All girls tend to pick obvious retail stocks it reinforces the concept that you're a ditz.
Main point is - whatever you are doing - try and come up with an interesting argument that is rooted in your personal experience. Think about it as an argument as opposed to an answer - be proactive, what are you trying to demonstrate to your interviewers? What do they need to know about you in order to find you a compelling candidate? How does your "answer" contribute to the overall argument you are making re: your candidacy - why should they hire you?
PM me if you have further questions.
I think its a little bit more feasible to find yourself passionate or addicted to trading. I played the passion card, it didnt help me at getting a job directly because its very cliche. I think when your networking if you geniunely are interested they are going to be more willing to help you out.
Trading isnt my passion, its an outright addiction. But ya nobody has a passion for calculus that I must agree with you about.
"Oh - the ladies ever tell you that you look like a fucking optical illusion?"
As a follow up, are athletes passionate about their sport? Stephon Curry from Davidson thats not passion? Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Cal Ripken, are they not passionate?
In my opinion anyone that has very strong emotions towards something that is near and dear to their heart. May this be a belief, attitude, or competitive spirit I think these things can be sources of passion. Finance, IBD, im not sure about, but traders yes I think due to the nature of their job passion just becomes part of it. Feel free to argue with me about this.
From Dictionary.com
(often initial capital letter) Theology. a. the sufferings of Christ on the cross or His sufferings subsequent to the Last Supper.
b. the narrative of Christ's sufferings as recorded in the Gospels.
Archaic. the sufferings of a martyr.
"Oh - the ladies ever tell you that you look like a fucking optical illusion?"
Say you are able to learn alot, get real time exposure to the industry, and since you'll be working with lots of smart peoples, these things will help give you skills needed to succeed.
Please don't say passion.
I would like to throw in a vote for passion being legit. I think it is important that you are careful the way you convey it in an interview, simply because of all the non-believers out there (look around) and how they might perceive it. I believe I used the word passion during my interviews. Those who do not share a similar passion have difficulty understanding how a person could enjoy something they perceive as work. Example:
I actually have a passion for mathematics. I worked as a calculus, statistics, etc. tutor for three years in college. A select few of my co-workers and I really enjoyed our jobs, and we loved attempting to solve challenging problems that people brought our way. If I was tutoring someone 1on1 and couldn't come up with the answer, I'd go to the others and we'd talk it out or all try to solve it collectively. Sometimes the student would leave and we would stay past our shifts just trying to figure out difficult problems. In fact, I spent a considerable amount of my free time hanging out in the math lab tutoring people for fun (unpaid).
Now, some of you will think this is incredibly geeky and that I must be a total nerd (I assure you, I'm only a nerd on the inside and most people don't know). My point is, while you may not share the same passion for math, finance, or anything else, don't be so quick to discount others.
Wow, super f'ing POWERFUL Post Thank you God
I don't get it. Are you being sarcastic?
Seriously, some really good comments
Get a tour of a BB's trading floor. This will allow you to judge for yourself whether or not you think you will be a good fit.
I agree with McMo... a tour of the floor, and maybe sitting on a desk for a couple of hours if you haven't already done so will give you a good idea if you really have a "passion" for what its all about.
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