I would just like some clarity on what areas to focus on when approaching preparing for London Summer Investment banking applications at BB's and EB's. Recently I have heard that London summer IBD recruiting at BB's focus more on the behavioural/motivational/cultural-fit aspect of an applicant in comparison to the techniques (can someone please expand on this and how so). Furthermore, I have heard that at some London EB's technical questions are more prevalent in the process rather than behavioural/motivational/cultural-fit (Again how true is this and how so).
Additionally, I know that BIWS 400 questions and the Rosenbaum IB book is heavily used to prep candidates in the USA within the summer recruiting cycle. However, is the technical aspects of these guides relevant to the summer London recruiting cycle?
Lastly, I know the more knowledge you know the better. However, what technical questions should you prep for in the London summer recruiting cycle and what areas should you not focus on so much?
BB interviews are a lot easier than EB interviews for technicals as the focus is on behaviorals. If you really want the IB offer just study all the basic technicals - no shortcuts will help you and you never know what question might get thrown at you (it also doesn't take a huge effort to study them). If you know the 400q guide by heart (+ rosenbaum if you want) you will nail every BB technical question thrown at you (they aren't that difficult). For EB’s, each one has varying difficulty in lndn but some EB’s ask a lot more technical questions (outside the 400q/rosenbaum guide, case like questions that really test understanding) like PJT.
For your question about motivational questions, these never change and are always the same. Lots of threads and guides out there on how to answer these questions (STAR with 5-10 pre existing frameworks/stories etc). See this thread which is super helpful: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/job-search/superday-advice-from-a….
To simplify, before going into any IB interview you need to nail down your 5-10 stories that you will use for ANY behavioural question + resume walkthrough + all the basic technicals (BIWS 400 + Rosenbaum). If you do this + you are able to get along with your interviewers and get them to like you, you are in good shape for an offer at all BB's (also reference the thread I attached above for more tips as I wont repeat what he said but its great advice)
For EB's, you will need to do the above + prepare a lot more for the technical questions. You actually need to understand corporate finance and how concepts work in real life, as some of the interviews are very challenging (for reference, when I was at uni an EB process I was in was much harder from a technical standpoint than one of the pe analyst processes i was in, excl investment acumen)
Invaluable information, I appreciate this!
I get very annoyed with these kind of questions
You need to be fully prepared to answer both behavioural and technical questions, independently of your geography
BIWS 400 questions is good for technicals
The above answer is good for behavioural, effectively it boils down to 1) present your resume 2) why banking 3) why our bank and recent deals 4) your strength and weaknesses 5) your hobbies 6) your market knowledge about banking and the economy
Dont tailor your prep to your ideal bank or anything, just be a good overall candidate. If you’re not willing to prepare then you won’t fare well on the job
"I get very annoyed with these kind of questions" - Oh grow up you snowfl*ke, OP just wanted some insight into the differences between the summer application process in the UK considering this is a very U.S industry focused website. Of course the more you know the better you will do, isn't that obvious?
So if we replied that it is usually less technical in London, will he be less prepared technically ?
Thanks for the nickname though, I love learning from interns
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