Advice for interviewing with weak extracurriculars/leadership

Hey guys,

I'm hoping you might have some interview advice. For context, I'm currently a senior at a top-tier university applying for full-time positions at REPE firms and REITs. I have solid internship experiences, a pretty strong network, and I've got the technicals covered. I am concerned, however, about my lack of extracurriculars/leadership and consequently not having great anecdotes during interviews. Has anyone else been in this position before and do you have insights? Thanks!

 

You should still have time to get these things on your resume. Getting declined for lack of extracurriculars seems to be short-sighted if the candidate is promising overall.

It'll probably not make sense for anyone to tell you what the extracurricular or leadership element should be for you. Just think what you're passionate about, see if there's a club/society/association for that and get involved. See if there's an opportunity to combine your business/real estate skillset with a team for a case study competition, for instance.

 

Wouldn't worry about it, those types of questions aren't that common, at least from my experience. You should be able to draw anything you need from prior internships and school projects if you don't have any substantive extracurriculars

Using anecdotes from internships tends to work better anyways since these questions are generally trying to assess how you'd address various situations so to the extent you can show how you've done it successfully in a professional environment, all the better

 

Since you're from a target and have solid internship experience, I wouldn't worry about it. As was mentioned in a previous comment, you can use examples/anecdotes from your internships to illustrate leadership capabilities and so on.

To infinity... and beyond!
 

The fact that your lack of interviews is due to your nonexistent extracurriculars means that it's something firms value highly. So avoid reason #2 at all costs. Use #1. If there's any other reason that you can come up with that explains your lack of school involvement, by all means use it!

 

strange... is it really that bad down south? I mean, someone from an Ivy should be able to land a nice finance job no prob.

I was under the impression that everyone from an ivy got decent jobs if they wanted it.

 
niles:
strange... is it really that bad down south? I mean, someone from an Ivy should be able to land a nice finance job no prob.

I was under the impression that everyone from an ivy got decent jobs if they wanted it.

I would say you are deluded. Just think about the number of analyst openings in BB vs. the number of IB hopefuls in the ivies.

 

Yea I would definitely not do number 2.... instead I would try to be inventive.... if its S&T then they are looking for a fit for that..... Traders they want to see quick analytical skills and ability to handle complex macro and micro concepts..... Sales is similar but also more oriented towards client relationship.

Play up the two activities and just state you didn't think they would be interesting enough to put on your resume. Also like nathanielpowers pointed out, you must have done some interesting stuff.... I would think back to highschool as well and talk about some of things. Try to talk in terms so that its not obvious your talking about a highschool activity.

 

The point of going to an Ivy is that it raises the little invisible glass ceiling that's above everyone's head just that much higher. Look at it more broadly, most "lower" schools aren't even blessed with the opportunity to recruit for IBD on-campus. That would be a low ceiling... Semi-targets have that opportunity but not with as many banks and not as many spots are reserved, A little higher... Ivy's have the full opportunity -- as good as it gets anyway -- so they would have the "highest" ceiling.

Obviously there are exceptions to this stupid ceiling thing but you've got to look at it generally. That being said, attending an Ivy gives you a great opportunity, but it's not a golden free-ride ticket. I can think of countless people that excelled in high school but got lazy or found other priorities upon entering college.

Btw, I go to a great school (top 20) but it isn't an Ivy. Regardless, I think this just applies to the academic machine in general...

 

A finance interview is not like getting into college. No one cares about the content of your "ECs." What matters is your energy level, intelligence, and personality. These are things that often come out in what you choose to do with your free time, but don't sweat it. Just make a good impression.

 

Suscipit porro vero aut libero quidem quae soluta. Dolorum ullam non nostrum neque deleniti delectus quidem.

Ling~

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 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

March 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

March 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 (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”