Asha Kiran

Posts Tagged ‘Two Legs’

Investment banking interviews can be all day affairs where you interview with a dozen or more employees in many different departments of the company. Each interview will generally last 30 minutes. The interview process has been termed superday because it is not unusual for you to be at the company for 9 hours or more in one day being interviewed. The purpose of this marathon process to answer three questions: are you intelligent, can you perform the duties required of the job and does the interviewer like you. Now that you know the crux of the interview, here are 3 easy steps to follow to allow you to ace your investment banking interviews.

Step 1: Are you intelligent

The oldest brain teaser puzzle is the Sphinx’s riddle presented to Oedipus. The riddle is “What is it that walks on four legs, then on two legs, and then on three?” Everyone before him that failed to answer the riddle was killed but Oedipus gives the correct answer which is man. When you first hear that riddle you may freeze and have no clue as to the answer. That is why the question is asked. Investment bankers are daily presented with challenging scenarios that they need to resolve. The interviewer is judging whether or not you will be able to use reason to figure out the answer.

Step 2: Can you perform the duties of the job

It is possible to solve the Sphinx’s riddle but, if you don’t know how to calculate the cost of capital or a bond yield rate, you will never get a job as an investment banker. Interviewers will ask you a barrage of technical questions to see the breadth and depth of your knowledge required to succeed as an investment banker. These questions will probably take the format of a business case study. You will be presented with information on a company and then are asked multiple questions that require you to calculate the financial position or condition of the company. These questions will cover all financial calculations that you have learned at University. The interviewer is also judging whether or not you have the commitment to the long hours required in this position and that you are enthusiastic.

Step 3: Do I like you

Employees want to work with people that are like them and that they find agreeable. If your personality style is contrary to the corporate culture, it is unlikely that you will be selected for the position. How do you get the interviewer to like you? You need to have a compelling story that highlights what you do outside of work, obstacles you have overcome in life and what are your goals. This allows the interviewer to determine whether or not they want to work with you. You may be the brightest financial mind to come out of University but if you personality conflicts with the interviewer you will not be hired. Spend time putting together a short pitch about yourself that is compelling.

Follow these three steps to ace your investment banking interview.

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