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Old 30-07-2006: 30th July 2006 15:42 #1 
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Default Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
Well, i was meaning to do this earlier...but anyways, was wondering for those who have undertaken an internship or gone to interviews, what interview questions can one expect? Well ive compiled ones ive obtained from efinancial careers:

Why did you choose to interview with us?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Can you describe a time when you failed at something?
How have you facilitated the personal, professional or academic success of another individual?
Can you give an example of a time when you helped people with differing views to reach a consensus?
Can you define leadership?
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Old 30-07-2006: 30th July 2006 15:58 #2 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
Talk about a time you worked as part of a team. What were your contributions? What did you add to the team? Were there any problems and how did you overcome them?

Tell me about an acheivement you are particularly proud of.

When was the last time you had to manage many tasks at one time? How did you prioritise and what was the outcome?

What makes you a suitable/ideal candidate over another to work at Goldman Morgan and Bunsen Burner Banking Co.?

What was the name of your last interviewer?

Why did you choose your university/course?

Do you have any questions? (The answer to this is "yes"!)

Last edited by CityMonkey : 30-07-2006 at 16:01.

Old 30-07-2006: 30th July 2006 16:18 #3 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
Speaking of which, I have an interview tomorrow. It's not for IB, but with a company named Statpro and I was thinking of asking a personal question at the end, something like "What do you personally enjoy about working here, at Statpro?" Is that a good/bad idea?

Apparently personal questions at the end intrigues the interviewer. But then again, I'm sure everyone loves talking about themselves eh?
 
Old 30-07-2006: 30th July 2006 16:34 #4 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
I don't know if this is valid for all interviews across the globe but a general pointer from my side of what I've encountered during my interviews was that you should be able to back-up your answers at ANY time.

During one interview, the interviewer interrupted me several times, while giving the answers to the typical questions stated above, asking more specifically why I undertook a certain step in my answer explanation.

"I don't know" "I'm not sure" "I though it was nice..." etc. are definitely no-goes for this sort of why questions.

hope this helps
Old 30-07-2006: 30th July 2006 18:02 #5 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
Tell a situation in which you have worked in a team. That one I can vouch for.
Old 30-07-2006: 30th July 2006 18:37 #6 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
In a corporate finance interview:

What is 7 million divided by 5000?
Old 30-07-2006: 30th July 2006 22:20 #7 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
Originally Posted by TheAsianProdigy
In a corporate finance interview:

What is 7 million divided by 5000?

Rather easier than square root of 255 and square root of 0.1, in my opinion.
Brainteasers.
Something degree related (explain brownian motions relevance to finance, explain the effect on the buy side and sell side of an interest rise in the current market)
What was the last book you read.
Why you?
10 by 10 by 10 cube of cube blocks, paint the outside, how many unpainted blocks? How many unpainted cubes? ( )

To be honest, knowing the questions is pretty easy. In fact, if you're serious about getting in, you'll know the questions or get into enough interviews to know them. Knowing how to answer them is rather different...
Old 30-07-2006: 30th July 2006 22:34 #8 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
Originally Posted by President_Ben
Rather easier than square root of 255 and square root of 0.1, in my opinion.
Brainteasers.
Something degree related (explain brownian motions relevance to finance, explain the effect on the buy side and sell side of an interest rise in the current market)
What was the last book you read.
Why you?
10 by 10 by 10 cube of cube blocks, paint the outside, how many unpainted blocks? How many unpainted cubes? ( )

To be honest, knowing the questions is pretty easy. In fact, if you're serious about getting in, you'll know the questions or get into enough interviews to know them. Knowing how to answer them is rather different...

what was the secret to success?
Old 30-07-2006: 30th July 2006 22:44 #9 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
Originally Posted by sm0273
what was the secret to success?

It isn't that simple.

Or if it is, being smart.
Old 30-07-2006: 30th July 2006 22:48 #10 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
Originally Posted by President_Ben
It isn't that simple.

Or if it is, being smart.

Ok, youre clearly good at interviews to get a place. is there 100 applicants for 1 place on intern? crazy.

how did u answer them? take it u were able to reel of those answers quickly?
Old 30-07-2006: 30th July 2006 22:50 #11 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
Depends on division and 'fashion'. Have seen statistics of over 300 per place.

Answer accurately, fully and quickly. What to 'say' depends on you, the question and the interviewer.
Old 30-07-2006: 30th July 2006 23:02 #12 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
Originally Posted by President_Ben
Depends on division and 'fashion'. Have seen statistics of over 300 per place.

Answer accurately, fully and quickly. What to 'say' depends on you, the question and the interviewer.

Would u mind giving more insight to your approach to everything. (apart from obvious things).

Last edited by soilman : 30-07-2006 at 23:04.

Old 30-07-2006: 30th July 2006 23:09 #13 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
That's so vague, I won't. And I'm generally considered reasonably helpful. Anyway, I'm up in about 6 hours for work so I'm off for the night.
Old 30-07-2006: 30th July 2006 23:15 #14 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
Originally Posted by President_Ben
That's so vague, I won't. And I'm generally considered reasonably helpful. Anyway, I'm up in about 6 hours for work so I'm off for the night.

Alright. I just meant any tips for the interviews that would not be entirely obvious.
Old 31-07-2006: 31st July 2006 03:42 #15 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
I was asked what my opinion was on having the common investor on the street invest in emerging market bonds.

Also how to value a company.
Old 31-07-2006: 31st July 2006 11:54 #16 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
Originally Posted by President_Ben
Rather easier than square root of 255 and square root of 0.1, in my opinion.
Brainteasers.
Something degree related (explain brownian motions relevance to finance, explain the effect on the buy side and sell side of an interest rise in the current market)
What was the last book you read.
Why you?
10 by 10 by 10 cube of cube blocks, paint the outside, how many unpainted blocks? How many unpainted cubes? ( )

To be honest, knowing the questions is pretty easy. In fact, if you're serious about getting in, you'll know the questions or get into enough interviews to know them. Knowing how to answer them is rather different...


Wow, I've been to several bank interviews and I have never received anything close to that difficult. I had to approximated the square root of 12 to as close as possible, but that's about it. Maybe it's different for the grad schemes.
Old 31-07-2006: 31st July 2006 11:55 #17 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
I got asked a 'where would I put my money' question a couple of times.
Old 31-07-2006: 31st July 2006 12:12 #18 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
I was once being interviewed by two females (both v.beautiful), and one of them subtly winked at me! Needless to say, I got through that round.
 
Old 31-07-2006: 31st July 2006 12:47 #19 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
Originally Posted by President_Ben
Rather easier than square root of 255
If they want a guesstimate (eg 15.95-15.98) that's not too bad, surely they can't have expected you to come up with 15.97??

I've never had a brainteaser / maths question in any interview. Mostly qs related to more interesting things mentioned in CV/application.
 

Last edited by Brown Patrick Bateman : 31-07-2006 at 12:51.

Old 31-07-2006: 31st July 2006 14:47 #20 
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Default Re: Top Banking Interview Questions?
 
Originally Posted by Dimez
I was once being interviewed by two females (both v.beautiful), and one of them subtly winked at me! Needless to say, I got through that round.


ohhh, u want a medal?
 
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