I asked this same question recently. I only have two highlights under interests and feel they are both impressive. The first is that I have competed in snowboarding boardercross and have competed at nationals twice. Also, triathlon (I am an Ironman). 

I also like Muay Thai, but left that off the resume. I’d probably put it on the resume if I had a winning fight record.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

What are the interests in question? I'd definitely lean towards being too nerdy over too generic. While I don't share an interest in 15th century war attire, I would ask you about it if it were on your resume and it's certainly a memorable networking conversation.

As long as your nerdy interests aren't "Building M&A Models" and you can actually talk about them, they are an asset

Array
 

Second that. I dig nerdy interests when interviewing summer analyst/analyst candidates. If they can talk about it, shows they’re smart and actually dedicated.

Be careful though, if you can’t talk about it well - it’s a red flag. Looks like you’re just putting smart sounding things on your resume, yet know zero on the topic.

 
Most Helpful

Don't take the interests section lightly, it's an easy way to differentiate yourself. Generic is no bueno, nerdy is risky depending on what it is.

Think of the gigantic pool of resumes that come in - top schools, top GPAs, clubs/case comps etc. When I sort resumes, it all starts to blur. Looking at interests is a really easy albeit lazy filter for certain things. Interests like "financial modeling" are a red flag, nobody does that shit as a hobby. But things like, I dunno, skydiving stick out. If you listed interests like what Isaiah mentioned, all other things checking out of course, I would be interested in talking to you.

 

Atque deserunt natus dolorum distinctio et labore. Natus maxime qui officiis dolor dolor qui. Dolores quam quia itaque quis. Fuga voluptatem nam quos eum vitae et et. Similique voluptas autem voluptate qui amet.

Cum blanditiis doloremque soluta libero consequatur rerum occaecati. Voluptatum et amet nesciunt temporibus. Adipisci totam aut placeat. Eligendi dicta dolores qui vel. Soluta corrupti sunt nihil tenetur voluptas quia. Quia maiores saepe sit quia possimus.

Est dignissimos ratione temporibus soluta. Qui sit nesciunt quas voluptatum expedita ex molestiae. Voluptatum placeat vitae impedit sit. Officia dignissimos atque et qui sunt id. Sed dolores eveniet culpa id voluptatum adipisci officia. Unde iste aut iusto cumque atque ea velit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”