They'll probably ask you if you know how to use Google and search bars for specific websites.

Ex 1: Let's say you are interviewing for a position that you have little experience in. You want to know what to expect in an typical interview for that sector, so how do you proactively search for that information instead of doing the minimum and asking other people to do the work for you?

Ex 2: How would you search a dedicated finance forum like Wall Street Oasis to find potential interview questions?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=investment+banking+interview+questions

It does seem concerning that you are interested in IB but won't put in the legwork to prep yourself for a position in the industry. That's not the type of applicant people want to hire. Anyways, check out Rosenbaum and Pearl's book, the WSO interview guides, or the Vault guide to finance interviews as good places to start.

 

I'm going to assume that since you made it to superday, you know a little more about the Finance industry than you may believe. First thing to note is that there is not "one" interview, there are plenty of interviews. In fact, they're usually a days worth of interviews. I've heard that SA interviews are more technical (than FT) but since you don't come from a finance background, I think you may get more "fit" questions.

However, you should still know the basic technical questions - valuation methodologies (public comps, acq comps, DCF), also be able to walk through DCF - calc UFCF, WACC, CAPM, know the 2 approaches to find TV. Know how the 3 core statements link up, be able to explain how depreciation affects the statements. know the basics about Accretion/Dilution. know how to calculate enterprise value, equity value and answer related questions.

Again those are the general basic technical questions - I don't think they would go deeper since you don't have a Finance background. Make sure you explain your story very well and always link it back to why this particular bank. I think this is where ultimately you'll be evaluated

 
Best Response

I am fairly certain that the technical difference between sa and ft interviews has a lot to do with the bank and what you have on your resume and in my experience personally my ft interviews were far, far more technical (in terms of complexity) than my sa interviews.

Op, if you don't have a finance background you can reasonably expect pretty standard technical questions - but you need to know the basics inside out. Rosenbaum book, wso guide, macabacus are all great resources.

Something that I personally very strongly believe to be a huge differentiator is your answer for why xyz bank - logically, interviewers are usually impressed if you have a well thought out, intelligent and plausible answer for why you want to work at a certain bank. In my experience, I have received an offer from each firm for which I had a well formulated (and genuine) reason for why I really wanted to work at xyz bank. Interviewers hear so many of the same generic answers for why xyz bank, you will stand out if you can find a differentiated and intelligent response for why you want to work somewhere.

 

First off, great response nuclearpenguins, who says that I have not been preparing and networking with as much people as possible to get the necessary info I need. This post is just one of the measures I am using to get a little more info. Your response is really funny, you are simply assuming that I have not done any homework in order to prepare for my interviews. By the way I have the Rosenbaum Book, a WSJ subscription and an active portfolio. Just to name a few. Thanks anyway for your comments but next time take a second to think before responding, you might find yourself in trouble.

Wescoastmonkey, thanks for the detailed advice. I can tell that you think things through before responding. I have been going through most of the topics you mentioned. I at least understand most of the topics but I am afraid I might mess up if it gets too deep. In any case I will try to answer all questions to the best of my ability. Thanks again.

 
rymonkey:
and an active portfolio. Just to name a few. Thanks anyway for your comments but next time take a second to think before responding, you might find yourself in trouble.

I didn't realize you had a Scottrade account ... in that case they may look at you as more of a 3rd yr Analyst / 1st yr Associate

Also, way to come out firing with the eThreat. I think you'll fit in perfectly around here.

 

at this point, its all about your interviewer liking you. my advice would be to be yourself and seem very enthusiastic about that bank and the prospect of working there this summer. this is on top of doing whatever you have been doing that has gotten you this far.

 

Obviously you should read the Vault guides, read the Vault guide specific to this BB firm, read their website, brush up on your finance (specifically how to value a company, WACC/CAPM questions, and how the 4 financial statements interact) and just know your story. It's also good to know what deals the firm has worked on lately, and what groups you'd be interested in and why. Be able to recite your resume from top to bottom. Know why you want to do IBD and why at Firm XYZ (and money is NOT why you want to do IBD, but you already knew that). Be prepared for at least 4-5 interviews, some 1-on-1, some 2-on-1. Don't slip up, say one wrong thing and you're done. Not to put any pressure on you or anything. Good Luck.

 

The above poster is right on the money. Most importantly, know yourself. Your story is absolutely critical. Impress your interviewer. Be able to cogently explain the arc of your past few years: why you chose the college you did, what you've done at said school and why you've done it, why pursue an IB career, and why specifically at this firm. Your interviewer should be able to see some common theme or thread that underlies your actions (whether that's actually the case or circumstantial doesn't matter--you're selling here). Justify your presence there, and be enthusiastic in your demeanor but not oddly intense. Seriously, appearing like a well-adjusted person is very important. If your interviewers like you, it will go a very long way come decision time.
The technical stuff should be a checklist: financial statements, basic valuation techniques, current state of the market, etc... A common mistake is to psyche yourself out trying to cram technical info like you would for an exam--just be conversant, no need to be an expert. Depending on the particular area in which you're interviewing (S&T, IB, etc...), the technical knowledge expectations may vary. Talk to an alum at the bank or if you don't know anybody, ask your first round interviewer about what technical knowledge is important to know. And please, if you're going to be interviewing with that person, and he/she tells you to know something, then you had better fucking know it. Also know a few trivia items like where the firm's stock price is trading or when they're announcing earnings. If you spend ten minutes reading through the annual report and then reading yahoo finance news, you'll pick up enough tidbits like that to be sufficiently prepared.

That's about it. If you've gotten this far, you've obviously got something good going for you. Just keep at it. Good luck.

Once more into the breach, dear friends.
 

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