Preparing for my first internship interview
Okay, I'm a first year undergraduate in business finance and I just scored an interview with RBC Dominion Securities. It's an unpaid internship but hey I don't complain, first year. I'm a little nervous because by now I have very little technical knowledge. What questions should I prepare for ? Should I go over general finance interview questions ? Any tips would be highly appreciated. Oh yea they also told me that my duties are pretty much going to be making calls verifying client's attendance and some inbound calls. Hence concentrate on phone skills ?? Thank you.
You won't get any technical questions because of two reasons: a) you're a first year and b) you'll answering phone calls. They will ask you general fit so make sure you know yourself well and be prepared to visit extracurricular activities. If you don't have much EC or other experience (understandable since you just started) find a way to differentiate yourself (pretty much anyone can answer phone calls so why should they choose you over the other 1st years?).
Look for example interview questions and create a cheat sheet by writing about 4 sentences per answer. Then familiarize yourself with the answers assuming that it is well-written and smooth. Having this "template" will help you relax during the interview since you already have a good idea of what you will say. Remember, you'll be on the phone so they will definitely want someone that can communicate effectively.
p.s. Obviously the interviewer won't ask you the same questions (there might be overlap etc) so refrain from memorizing your paragraph answers word-for-word question-by-question. There will also be questions that you did not "prepare" for; but since you've nailed a good portion of the interview, you'll be more relaxed/confident thinking on the fly.
Agreed, you probably will not get any "technical" questions as a first year, but I would be prepared to answer questions about why you applied to work at a financial firm, even if it is just answering telephones. More important though is being able to answer fit questions, talk about how you are organized, keep track of tasks, etc. Also make sure you are relaxed and speak clearly, as that will be rather important based on your job description.
Take a look at the questions in the WSO behavioral guide, a lot of them talk about how to respond to questions about organization, drive, why finance, etc. Its a pretty good reference.
Chillax, freshmen in college are basically like high school seniors. We don't expect you to know anything, just maintain an illusion of being intelligent and able to learn.
Yeah just prepare a little of the common questions (but don't memorize answers word for word). More importantly just relax, be friendly, and try to be conversational. Most common questions you can expect as a first year: -Tell me about yourself -Why did you go to ____ college? -Why did you choose your major? -Tell me your strengths/weaknesses. -Where do you see yourself in 5 years (be honest and say you don't know yet, and you want to learn...)
Good luck. Just take it as a learning experience.
if you read and review the WSO guides and tell the interviewer the knowledge you gained from it.
I agree - unless for some reason you have financial knowledge or accounting knowledge on your resume, you won't be asked any technical question - maybe some general market questions on where an index is, some economic events, etc, but nothing on, for example, accretion/dilution. You will be best served to know the answers to all of the behavioral questions, be able to walk through your resume and be articulate and confident. For some help with the most common interview questions, check out my interview guide:
http://www.bankonbanking.com/bankonbanking-survival-guides/
and also check out:
http://www.bankonbanking.com/2009/08/18/walking-through-the-resume/
Email or PM me if you have any other questions and good luck - remember to relax.
First Interview for spring Internship (Originally Posted: 01/04/2011)
Hello everybody,
I have an upcoming interview in about two weeks at a full-service boutique Investment bank that has a few locations(Boston,Manhattan) and has been around for a couple decades. This is my first interview and I am pretty nervous seeing as I have no prior experience in the financial services and I am an econ major. The location I will interview for is composed of trading and equity research, I know general things about both but I am interested in some details.
Also, I am about to purchase the BIWS premium program later today because I think it could help out in the in the position....am I mistaken. What kinds of skills would I need for equity research and/or trading what will I be expected to know right off the bat?
Lastly, Is there anything you do in particular to calm the nerves? I could use some suggestions. Thanks everyone.
I think a couple shots pre interview would do wonders to help you calm down a little bit
Cocaine helps
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