Interviews

So I have a small buyside M&A deal on my resume that I plan to walk through for PE interviews. I completely understand the thesis, rationale, etc. as well as the operating model, which I truly did build. However.....this was a pretty small deal for the size of our client, so the modelling process was absolutely not as detailed. Still can justify everything we did in the model, but it doesn't seem nearly as granular. We also didn't bother building a 3-statement, just decently detailed income statement, capex, and NWC. Income statement projections were a decent level of detail but by no means a

02 Oct 2020

Interviewed with large public tech Ecommerce company. Made it past the HR screener. A week later she follows up through the jobvite program and asks for times I can interview this week with the team. I got the email 5 hours after she sent it through jobvite bc that software sucks. I emailed her back with times this week and its been two days and haven't heard anything back, only two days left in the week. Should I follow up? I have already followed up with her between the interview with her and her last email to me (the one trying to schedule the interview with the team). I'm wondering if the

16 Sep 2020

I'm wondering what your thoughts are on this. I'm 1/4 Irish and 3/4 German. I come from a wealthy family, but they wouldn't even pay for braces. My teeth are a bit crooked (almost done invisalign in two months), two small chips due to playing spots, and kind of small due to my genes (parents also skimped in whole milk, quality fish, etc...). I really don't want to be held down due to this minor (perceived) flaw. I've always been the brightest and would rather do technology sales than be held down for life in a place like NYC. I can either spend 25-30k on my teeth or put it towards a

25 Mar 2020

Been trying to break into IB for about a year now, and I'm trying to get some insight into why it's not happening. I wouldn't say getting interviews has been easy, but I have been able to get some, so clearly my resume/networking is decent at least. I can't say I'm charismatic, but I am generally an outgoing and friendly person, I have practiced my "story" and fit questions a lot. Since I thought my biggest gap would be technicals, I've really worked hard on that through courses and practice to make sure I'm comfortable with them. My last few interviews, I wouldn't say there was an instant

27 Aug 2020

Was reading that for RX interviews I should know waterfalls. Wanted to see what that is. Does that just mean that I should have a solid grasp on capital structure? If so, any sources available? Thanks

06 Aug 2019

Going to start recruiting soon as a second year analyst in IB M&A. I'm at a boutique, and we mostly do buyside advisory deals. I closed 2 deals recently (~$250mm) as the sole analyst on a 4 person team, so I was the one building the whole model and running diligence, etc. The issue is while I understand the deal rationales and actual numbers pretty well, the models we build....were honestly not the greatest. One deal was a weird carve out situation, so we literally put in an LOI knowing only LTM revenue and gross margin. Over the course of diligence, we slowly got target projections for the

12 Dec 2019

Hi all, I'm currently interviewing for roles and I'm having trouble coming across as genuine when I give my cookie cutter answers. I think its a combination of nerves along with the fact that I'm inexperienced with interviews. Based on your experience, what's the best way to showcase personality yet remain humble and show that you have a good understanding of how important it is to fit in. Need some pointers on how I can seem more genuine moving forward and I'm open to anything you guys have to say! Thanks

12 Jun 2019

Hi all, Wanted to gauge the community on what are some of the hardest brain teasers they've been asked in interviews. If anyone has gotten any tough ones from banks on the east coast, would love to grab those here too. Cheers

10 Jun 2019

Is it ever okay to talk about personal issues in interviews if they are relevant to the question and a big part of who you are? One of my greatest strengths is resilience. This is because I've gone through a lot in the last ten years and the last few in particular. When I was 9 I was sexually abused. I told nobody for ten years and I let it eat away at me. I went through the PTSD, nightmares, depression, self harm and attempted suicide all alone. After graduating high school I finally came forward and started therapy and taking medication. I have since realized that this experience is a big

18 Jan 2019

I know first round of interviews are conducted by Analysts and Associates while more advance rounds are conducted by VP, Directors or MD. But aside of the level of the hierarchy, is there any particular difference between first round and second rounds? Which ones are usually more technical and which ones are more fit?

30 Jul 2020

I know almost everyone would advise not to quit your current job unless you have a firm offer lined up, but I am in a situation where it is very difficult to ask for time off if I want to go for interviews, especially with MBB as one round can take hours. I work for a small company where everyone is closely supervised. I almost never took time off before unless I need to see a doctor then I would leave 30 minutes earlier than usual, so if I ask for some time off now in the middle of the day, it would likely raise some eye browns. I know I only have 10 days vacation for this whole year, but I

02 Jan 2019

Hi everyone, Wanted to know how you guys talk about this question in an interview? I know there is a bunch of stuff to talk about but what do you think is the best and most effective structure to answer this question with? Also, what's a good resource to use to grab a topic from? Would love to know. Thanks

11 Jun 2019

Hi everyone, Going to go through a number of processes for NYC in the next little. I am not originally from NYC so I know I'm going to get grilled on why I want to do banking there. I'd love to hear your thoughts on some good answers that I can have prepared. Thanks

10 Jun 2019

Hi, Really interested in DCM, thinking Northern Europe. What are some ways to prepare for entry level trainee/intern interviews. Apart from technicals, which news events should be focused on: Thinking: * ECB/BOE Issuances * Major Corporate Issuances * Being aware of base Interest Rates * Impact of QE on inflation PLEASE could you kindly share what else / current events should be understood. Would really appreciate it. THANK YOU!!

28 May 2020

So I had a rly good final round with case study with the partners. Reception was very positive: they asked abt when I expected comp, when I would be able to start, and if I was talking to other shops. They said they were hiring for 2-3 jr positions, and that they expect start date to be within a month or so and so they'll be in their new offices by then. They told me they'd get back to me within a week, which they did (less than a wk later). Got an email from the partner saying they enjoyed meeting with me and if I had time to chat the next week. Tossed out a few dates which unfortunately didn

01 Feb 2018

Hello, I graduated college four years ago with with a 3.3 from a top 40 school. I had MO internships in school, and took a job as an energy market analyst out of college. While in college, I had no problem getting a job once I was selected for an interview. Counting my full-time offer and two internships, I received 3 job offers out of 7 interviews, the ones I didn't get where out of my league to begin with so my track record of interview success I thought was pretty good. However, the last two years have been a nightmare. I wanted upgrade to a commodities analyst at a more prestigious firm or

21 Feb 2018

Wanted to know if anyone can give me some insight. I guess this is a good problem to have but I am interviewing with multiple companies right now, all for the same type of position as a financial analyst. All pay well. Problem is I am most interested in the company, which is a bank, in which I am in the beginning phase of the interview process. Another company in industry I am in the final rounds. If I were to hypothetically get an offer from the in industry position what do I tell them since i want the bank job the most?

28 Mar 2017

About a year and a half ago, I posted about getting 20+ interviews and no FT offer (20 Company Interviews Later...No FT Offer looking for Advice). I wish I could say that I quickly got a job after that, but that wasn't the case. I'm going to be very vague about certain details, because I'd like to remain anonymous. Working in finance has been my dream since I was about 12. Around 14, I decided that I wanted to do IB. I started seeking out any and all finance mentors I could find, in addition to reading the news, getting magazine subscriptions, watching CNBC/Bloomberg, etc. My passion was self

29 Jun 2016

I don't have much experience, but so far, I felt that corporate finance interviews are much easier than other areas of finance. The questions are mostly behavioral, and its rare to encounter a difficult technical question, if any at all. And this applies to brand F500 companies as well. What do you guys think? I am speaking for internships and entry-level roles.

05 Jan 2020

Hi everyone, A quick question. I apologize in advance for it being a stupid and naive question. Just wondering what experience people have had working with headhunters to get jobs in the field of finance? Looking to start using them to line up interviews before I graduate next May, and wanted to hear any advice you guys might have on the subject. Thanks in advance.

31 Dec 2019

I want to break into either consulting or I-banking. Trying to decide which school is the best fit to break into consulting or I-Banking. Do most firms see PennLPS like Columbia? A lot of my friends from Columbia have broken into investment banking. Just curious.

14 Nov 2016

We intend advertising some corporate finance related positions early next year and I hope to be interviewing candidates in Feb or March. While we have all the usual interview questions on the table I am hoping here to get your (candidates') view on questions you would like us ask you. Perhaps questions that you were not asked at other interviews but which would have helped you better project yourself to the interviewer. Many thanks in advance.

20 Dec 2017

Hey guys, I've been at my consulting firm (more like staff-aug) for nearly three years now and I honestly hate it. I've been applying and got some interviews, but didn't walk away with any offers. I got another rejection email yesterday at a firm that I thought I had and it really broke me down. The work I currently do is utterly boring. I've mainly been focusing on internal operational roles/ strategy for start-ups, tech companies, media companies. I'm barely getting interviews, I've had dozens of people look at my resume and they say its good. So I don't what to do. I feel miserable and I'm

29 Nov 2016

I've had all these superdays within the last year and can't seem to close on an offer. I have no problem networking and getting my way into a formal interview. But can't close. I have every interview guide and resource and have studied it. But suck at interviews either fit or tech, I keep getting dinged. Any advice on other than memorizing the guides front to back?

21 Jan 2016

As summer creeps up slowly, many students are still trying to find themselves an internship. There are many questions that I find students (like myself, when I'm not binge watching shows in between breaks or dreading the term GPA) asking their friends and upper years who have been through finance related interviews. Such interviews involve technical and behavioral questions and I find most students do well on the technical part and not so well on the behavioral. A popular question that I often come across is "What do I say, if the interviewer(s) ask me to tell a joke?" So I pose to everyone

25 Feb 2017

I need some advice. I'm a recent graduate from a nontarget looking for FT roles. About me: sub 3.5 overall GPA, Over 3.5 finance GPA. Was in school's honors program for finance majors. Did some IM work. Received school's highest honors for finance majors. FO IB experience at top MM bank in strongest group last summer. Furthermore, my resume has been reviewed by people in industry, so it's 100% crisp. Now that I've introduced my background, I can delve into my current problem.

20 Jun 2014

Another 100+ Questions Added...Now Over 500+: We've sifted through 2 THOUSAND+ more questions submitted to the WSO Company Database this past year to make the IB Prep Pack even more killer. We've picked out another 100 questions based on new trends to bring the grand total to a whopping 500+ questions (nothing beats that). The beauty of how we structure the IB Prep Pack is that both the technical and fit guides walk you through the most common beginner, intermediate and advanced questions while also giving you great sample answers. On top of that, we now also provide you with a MASSIVE

23 May 2015

Hey guys, long time lurker first time poster. I wanted to ask you guys your opinion on whether or not I should bring up during my interview that I was kicked out of my fraternity for hazing pledges too much. I mean, in my defense there isn't really a guideline to what TOO MUCH is, but I guess when one dumb pledge gets trampled by an elephant that would be considered too much. Fraternities have changed so much in the past decade, with all these news outlets putting so much pressure on us NOT to haze, which I personally think is absurd. Anyway, I have that I was in my frat on my resume, but I

29 Jul 2016

The following is an interview I conducted with Tyrone Greene, with whom I started chatting when I visited his food truck, The Dark Side of the Moo. He's a former trader of precious metals who has made the leap to leave Wall Street and work for himself, and I think his story will be of tremendous value to WSO. Enjoy! 1. How did you break into trading? Was it your first job after university?

13 Apr 2014

Hey all I know this topic has been discussed before on here, but I've been having issues with converting in-person interviews to final rounds. I haven't had an issue with getting interviews, and I have a couple of super days coming up due to passing first round phone interviews (two so far), but I have been getting rejected from first round in-person interviews (four so far). Is being too excited in an interview, mannerism, or rambling too much possible reasons for these rejections? For the most part, technicals aren't an issue for me.

22 Sep 2017

Hi guys, So I ended up getting an offer to one bank, but really don't want to be working there. I just finished a bunch of first round OCR interviews this past week but have not heard back from a lot of them, but I felt that I did pretty well on a lot of them. I have another week to accept my offer, but was wondering if I should email HR or my interviewers letting them know of my offer and using it as leverage to give me a super day or speed up the process? I was told by some though that it's not a good idea for first round as it may push/rush them and make them decide to not give me a super

31 Jan 2016

I turn into an awkward rambling mess when getting interviewed. So far, I've only tried phone interviews, though, so I'm not sure if this is a phone-only thing or if it's directly caused by stress. How do I get better at this? Do I practice talking with people on the phone and/or in person about interview-related topics? For context, I think I'm actually moderately well spoken in person, both in situations like meetings with boss, hanging out with friends (or strangers), and at information sessions/networking events. I don't feel particularly nervous during interviews but I am hyperaware that I

22 May 2014

So I've delayed grad school for a year due to some unforeseen reason and I decided I wanted to move on from my current job. So by my count, in the last 3 months, I've had 6 interviews, but no job as of yet. It's weird, because I'm pretty experienced and generally I interviewed well (or thought that I did. Its incredibly obvious when an interview isnt going well). I've just had my latest rejection, which did piss me off a little. I interviewed with Bloomberg last week and it went well. However, I got the dreaded email. Now I've been out of the job hunt market for a while so obviously I am doing something wrong here. So thinking through the interview, I've narrowed down a few things that might be an issue:

11 Aug 2013

Update: Thanks everyone for all the suggestions, I really appreciate it!

22 May 2014

Afternoon, monkeys. I've got the first of a two part interview for you today with Certified User Nefarious. Nefarious works in Strategy at a major Fortune 500 Aerospace & Defense company. While I know many of your are focused on banking and private equity, I think everyone can benefit from hearing his story. Strategy jobs are some of the most intellectually satisfying roles out there, and they've got a great work-life balance. Plus, if you're in an interesting industry, like A&D, you'll put yourself in a position to have a tremendous, well-paying career in a space you really care about. From

30 Nov 2012

When someone interviews you and you don't get an offer, does it actually mean something when they say something along the lines of keep in touch, we'll revisit this idea next year, we're here for you for career or educational consultations, mock interviews, etc? Or is that just something nice they say so people don't kill themselves after getting dinged?

28 Jun 2014

Recruiting season is basically in full swing/dwindling as superdays are approaching for many. What are some of the most vexatious WTF questions you have been asked thus far? From my recruiting days, here are some of mine (the ones that made me want to punch my interviewer in the face kinds of questions) Q1: Why did you transfer from Duke to your non-target? A (truncated): I had a scholarship from Duke but couldn't pay for all 3 years, non-target offered me a full ride thus took it. Followup Question: Why didn't your parents just pay for it? Mental Answer: Did you just f* cking ask me that? What the f* ck you think??? Q2: That guy over there has an MBA/JD from harvard. Have you accomplished anything that amazing in your life?

03 Jan 2013

Every year around this time, some young monkeys hop on the forums and start moaning about how bad this year is for recruiting. You guys think it's bad? You ain't seen bad unless you've seen 2001, 2008, or 2009. But nevertheless, your auntie has good news. I recruited all last week, and let me tell you: the competition out there right now doesn't look as tough as you guys think it is. Here are the real gems from my week recruiting at our top targets: Candidates who stare at or lengthily check their phones while talking to recruiters. If you aren't going to make eye contact with me, at least

19 Sep 2012

^title. Also, if you dont mind posting what firm you worked at before you landed your PE gig, that would be also be appreciated (you can just post a group, e.g. BARC/DB/CS, if you dont want to post the specific name).

10 Nov 2015

I'm a rising junior at a non-target, big ten school, majoring in finance. I have the credits to graduate this May. Will graduating a year early be an advantage or disadvantage? I studied abroad this past semester in Australia, which made it impossible for me to get an internship since we ended in late June, so I would have no work experience. I am also considering one year MSF programs at UIUC, Indiana, Purdue, Vanderbilt. Thoughts?

17 Jul 2012

Hey guys, I thought it may be helpful to share on here what are the main trends and threats for the Investment Banking industry, since this is a very common question in both applications and interviews. What I can say so far is that hot topics are: - Declining role of FICC in overall revenue percentag of BBs - Low IPO dealflow compared to previous years (at least in the EMEA region) - Satisfying M&A activities considering easy cash access - Huge uncertainty due to Brexit - Increasing weight of compliance costs and IT, since regulations are getting more strict and technology infrastructure has

23 Aug 2016

mod (Andy) note: "Blast from the past - Best of Eddie" - This one is originally from December 2010. If there's an old post from Eddie you'd like to see up again shoot me a message. I have a feeling this is going to spark some controversy, but a new study conducted by Ben Gurion University shows that ugly women are twice as likely to get a call back to interview than attractive women with identical qualifications. The researchers attributed the disparity to the fact that HR departments are primarily staffed with women, on average single and 29-years old (I can hear that biological clock ticking

06 Oct 2012

I'll bet you have a cute little folder with your school's name embossed on it, filled with copies of your resume and some business cards you collected from a few information sessions that never yielded any fruit. I'll also bet you've got a nice Men's Warehouse suit picked out with some conservative black dress shoes that are just pointy enough for bankers to not make fun of you for wearing for those "corporate networking and information events" that you continue to go to, despite the fact they clutter your inbox since you're on every finance-related listserv in the entire school. And lastly, I

20 Sep 2012

WSO is happy to announce a new partnership with Jared Dillian, former head ETF trader at Lehman, author of Street Freak and The Daily Dirtnap. WSO readers qualify for a $100 discount from Jared's daily market newsletter...just email [email protected] and mention "WSO Monkey Discount." You can follow Jared on twitter at @dailydirtnap Every month (starting tomorrow), we will get one sneak peak into his popular market newsletter and hear from Jared on another topic of our choosing. We hope you enjoy his writing as much as we do here at WSO. More info on the Daily Dirtnap below, but as an

14 Jan 2013

I am a Junior at a target and I have summer analyst interviews with a few BB banks for Investment Banking and Public Finance roles. I have researched the topic and found that black suits are a big no-no in interviews. I come from a pretty humble background and I spent pretty much all of my money on suits and shirts. I wouldn't be able to buy a new suit. How big of a deal is it if I wear these black suits to the interviews? Also, should I buy a pale blue shirt along with the white one? Interview Coming Up? Be Prepared. Suit and Shirt Color for Interviews While students place a lot of weight on

20 Jan 2012

I have a first round interview at a distressed debt fund. Any thoughts on what first rounds look like? I'm currently an analyst in a restructuring group at a bank with some decent deal experience, so I assume I'll get asked about what I've worked on, and I have a credit idea ready to go if asked. I'm also doing some review on the high yield and levered loan market, but aside from that, if there are some things I should be prepping for, please post some ideas for me. Also, anyone have thoughts on the likelihood of being asked random legal questions? Thanks in advance for any ideas, really

27 Dec 2011

Hi all, Been looking into Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) and their Private Capital group seems interesting. I wanted to know what makes Pension PE different than traditional PE and how I can possibly flip that into a positive in an interview when they ask me why I want to go there. Thanks

29 Jun 2019

I want to caution all you monkeys about negotiating when receiving an offer. While if executed correctly it can add more salary, more vacation, or a signing bonus to the pay package, it could also get the offer rescinded in the blink of an eye. This is my experience of having an offer rescinded a few months ago. A quick background on my work experience: I have been a credit analyst since March 2010 in my bank's real estate division. For the last 6 months I have been looking to make the jump into a boutique or middle market real estate investing/acquisitions firm. I've had a fair amount of

29 Oct 2012

I received an invitation for an accelerated interview at Goldman Sachs. Does anybody from previous years have any insights into the process? The email says that second round interviews in New York City are going to be held next week. I tried searching and nothing relevant came to the surface beyond how interviewees are selected. Thanks.

09 Aug 2011

I was recently interviewing for an entry level analyst position through on-campus recruiting and felt like couple firms were profiling due to my race. As i digged a little deeper, i realized that some of the boutiques (Greenhill, GCA Savvian, Evercore, and Moelis) hardly had any blacks, indians and asians. Is this a common theme for the firms mentioned above?

25 Sep 2012