Jefferies phone interview on Thursday. Any help?
So I applied a few weeks ago and online and just found out I got a phone interview. I don't know anyone at Jefferies but am wondering if any of you have any hints on how to prepare?
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NYC or Chicago? Had a buddy interview for the NYC office. How did your interview go?
I had two phone interviews and a superday there. The interviews vary depending on who you get on the phone. Its usually one analyst and an associate and they go through basic valuation and accounting questions. First interview asked if you owned a small business and were approached with an offer, what valuation would buyer use and what points would you consider if you were to sell. Second technical was get me from enterprise value to equity value and finally walk me through DCF.
Second phone interview only had one technical which was the cookie-cutter depreciation by 10 question.
In terms of behaviorals they want to see that you are passionate about IBanking but also have a little life outside (but not too much, as remarked by one person I spoke to).
I thought it went easy and its not stressful if youre prepared.
Buy - curious, what group did you interview for?
They had me interview for a generalist pool but the guys who interviewed me were from restructuring, healthcare M&A, and I think industrials
They had me interview for a generalist pool but the guys who interviewed me were from restructuring, healthcare M&A, and I think industrials
Be sure to bring up Sage Kelly, Coke, Mollie, and Group Sex when the interviewer asks you if you have any questions.
Had an ER interview with Jefferies - although it was in person not over the phone. ER is definitely going to vary based on what team you are interviewing with.
I met first with the Associate Analyst (he had 20+ years experience) and then the Analyst came into the room to join the discussion. The team was pretty intense, seemed very no-nonsense, worked tough hours/weekends and had high expectations. When I asked during our Q&A session at the end why the role was open they said that they fired the previous associate because she wasn't showing enough personal interest in her work. Hopefully you get lucky and have a chill team. Anyways..
I was interviewing for an experienced hire role so they asked me many questions about my current role, day-to-day duties, and why I wanted to switch to Jefferies. Then the topic of discussion shifted to stocks under coverage and how familiar I was w/stocks in their coverage universe (trying to gauge how much they would have to teach me if I came onboard). They asked me about my research process, how I find stocks to cover, how I prepare research reports, how I build models,
Finally, we went through some technical questions ie: give me a stock pitch, walk me through growth catalysts, margin profile, competitors, etc (this turned into a 20 min or 30 min discussion). They asked me different questions trying to poke holes in my pitch / determine if I was prepared to defend me stance.
As part of the stock pitch, they asked a few questions on valuation but after we could hold relatively-fluent convo on valuation for a minute or two they did not press the issue or ask me to walk through a DCF (i think that is more of a i-bank question but be prepared either way). I imagine if I was not prepared for the valuation discussion they would have grilled me much harder.
Overall, the interview went well but I left feeling that the team was too up-tight and that I would never want to work full-time for these guys. The associate seemed like a real kiss-ass to the analyst and said he expected me to work every weekend - dont get me wrong, I have worked long hours on wall-street for many years but this seemed like a big red flag to me - especially during an initial meeting. The meeting left much to be desired if I was seriously considering building a long-term career at Jefferies. I realize if you are coming straight from undergrad or masters you may not have the flexibility to be as picky.
About one month after our meeting, the team had finished interviewing other candidates and HR contacted me to gauge my stance on salary. By that point, I had already accepted a role on the buy-side so we went our separate ways. Do you know what industry you are industry you are interviewing with?
Best of luck.
Thanks a lot for the detailed post. It's not my thread, but I'm interviewing for a SA ER position. Any tips? Maybe on past experience if your team used to bring on interns?
Below is a list of a few topics that have I have come across in ER interviews. I've been on both sides of the table (interviewee, interviewer) so hopefully this helps:
How did you prepare for the stock pitch? Could you share what you said/your script so we get a template
Jefferies phone interview tomorrow morning out-of-nowhere!! Help please!! (Originally Posted: 07/24/2008)
Hi all,
Just got a phone investment banking interview with Jefferies for tech IB analyst tomorrow morning. I will be talking to a Senior VP of the Digital Media practice. Anyone know anything very specific to this group? Experience interviewing at the firm? Any surprises I should look out for?
Thank you so much!!
Relax, it's doubtful they will grill you on the phone. Do yourself a favor and if you can't find deals they've worked on frmo their website, look to Capital IQ, factiva, other news databases, etc. and start punching in the names of guys on the team, and the bank/group itself.
Know the basic layup questions cold, be calm, sound friendly and amiable. I doubt Jeffries would throw you for a loop on the phone, but just make sure you treat it like you're talking to someone you know.
Good luck! JEF is solid!
I very much doubt they're going to ask you perplexing questions over the phone. Besides, VPs enjoy feeding off your angst and anxiety in person, it's not as amusing over the phone.
http://modernyuppie.blogspot.com/ The musings and antics of a Meathead college wrestler turned asset backed securities trader.
know whats going on in the space right now, ie microsoft/yahoo, downturn in advertising, google and aapl missing, etc
Apple didn't miss, they exceeded, just sent warning signs about next quarter and Jobs is sick. But they didnt miss estimates I dont believe. Am I wrong?
NEVER lose your BlackBerry www.conveniencesoftware.com
they didn't miss. like you said, warning signs about last quarter and job's cancer rumors.
One of my buddies actually works for Jefferies. From my understanding, the whole interview process was based on technicals and brainteasers. I doubt you will get a technical over the phone, but do expect a brainteaser or two. i'll email from friend to ask about the interview, if he gets back to me by tonight, Ill pm you. Goodluck and relax.
Thanks so much everyone!! Yeah I think I'm fairly well prepared at this point aside from the possible brain teasers but if I relax I should be able to show a good thought process. Anyways thanks for your help and we'll see what happens tomorrow.
Go to ibankingfaq.com and you will find some popular brainteasers. It is somewhat difficult to prepare for these type of questions, but it is good practice. Goodluck again.
i never had a phone interview from Jefferies but from some other boutiques.
Why ibanking? what do you want to be in the future? How did you hear about Jefferies? Why Jefferies? Why your school? Why finance/accounting/your major? Why tech? Walk me thru your resume. What "value add" do you bring to our firm? What is CAGR, PEG, Economic Value Added, Sum of parts? Walk me through a DCF? Does it apply to all equity firms? Walk me thru the fin statements when you buy a machine on credit. What is cheaper? debt or equity? why? Any questions?
Are you interviewing with the Waltham, MA office? If so, PM me, I interviewed there, got an offer, and mulled for a long while about taking the offer over 3 other BBs. Great, GREAT office of guys. Don't know much about the NYC office though.
Update: Wow complete shocker that the call was very casual and went very smoothly. No technicals or brain teasers. But yeah I'm not letting my guard down because I know it's gonna be much harder during the on-site interview. Anyways thanks everyone and if you have any advice for the on-site interview I'd really appreciate it.
Good luck to all of us!!
Hi guys...just got the offer over the phone yesterday. All your advice were right on...thanks so much to everyone!!
How was the on-site interview? What was asked?
any advice on the onsite? how was the mix b/e tech and fit questions?
jefferies phone interview (Originally Posted: 02/04/2009)
what should I expect?
good question. and when do they officially start doing the phone interviews. I'm assuming that you were already told you would have one but if we have not yet does that mean that we won't be getting one?
i'd also like to know Jefferies' interview process just got started. A VP there passed my resume along and so far I only received a confirmation from HR.
Nothing too bad. Couple of higher level questions about how the financial statements flow together, what the main valuation techniques are, etc etc. I interviewed for a regional office so I got some industry-specific questions and also why I'd be a good fit for that location. Talked about resume experience and went quickly through the deal I had worked on as an intern.
Just be as prepared as possible. Less likely to get super-hard technical questions over the phone, as it's usually easier to do that in person and let the kid start writing stuff out and see how it goes, but don't assume it's all going to be fit.
Also, is this with an HR person or an analyst/associate? Makes a big difference.
Sorry its an interview with analyst/associate for a summer analyst position in a regional office
bump
what about for their main office
Jefferies Phone Interview SF office (Originally Posted: 09/23/2010)
Hey guys,
I have a phone interview with Jefferies next week, specifically a banker in their CleanTech group out of SF. HAS anybody had a first round with them, particularly SF? I know to be prepared for anything, but I would appreciate any input you all would have. Also, does anybody know anything particular about their SF office? deal flow? execution? exit opps? Thanks so much!
Do these 4 things u'll be fine
read this blog : http://cleantech.com/news/1458/a-record-week-in-cleantech-deals .immerse urself with recent marketing activity in cleantech
have it on paper in front of u in block letter : HOW TO DCF, CALCULATE FCF, WACC,
Tell me how would u evaluate how much is ABC Solar, Inc worth if u've only 5 mins to do a quick-analysis
be confident. its just one interview. even if u blew it or dont hear back, it aint end of the world, fuck em, there's always another bank.
good luck
Thanks man, appreciate the blog.
bump..interested with anyone who has interviewed with them
Jefferies Telephone Interview (Originally Posted: 02/22/2012)
Hi at all.
I applied for Jefferies International in Frankfurt Germany. Because this is my first exposure to Investment Banking at all, I am very unsure what they will ask me during the telephone interview. Has anyone help or suggestions what an undergraduate in his last Bachelor's semester should definitely need to know? I would highly appreciate it! My background is business studies/finance (non target) and I am from Germany if that helps.
I was said, that the interview will be 1 hour.
Again, I am thankful for your experienced advises!!
Regards, mott
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