| Let me tell you that 7 days is more than enough | | | | same mistakes. |
| time to prepare. For some of the more experienced | | | | If you are attending a formal assessment centre |
| interviewees it may not be necessary to complete all | | | | with other candidates some of the information may |
| the steps but if this is the first time you're going for | | | | be deliberately withheld to ensure a fair comparison, |
| an investment banking interview (regardless of | | | | which is fair enough. But asking never hurts. |
| whether you've had any other interviews previously) | | | | C. RESEARCH THE COMPANY |
| I suggest you go through every step by step in | | | | This step is key not just in finding out whether it's |
| detail. | | | | the right company for you but will also be essential in |
| If you work efficiently, you will only have to prepare | | | | the following days when we will go into a bit more |
| an hour or two a day...but add this together and that | | | | detail on how to impress the interviewer and stand |
| means that in a week you will have done 10-14 hours | | | | out. |
| of effective preparation and you will be totally ready | | | | What are the best ways of going about researching |
| for your investment banking interview! | | | | a company? |
| DAY 1 -- CONFIRM THE INTERVIEW + RESEARCH | | | | I. The corporate website The first obvious port of |
| THE FIRM | | | | call is the corporate website. This will give you an |
| A. CONFIRM THE DATE/TIME/LOCATION | | | | overview of what the company does, what the |
| These days most likely you will have been invited for | | | | different areas of business are, which ones are the |
| the interview by phone or by email. The first thing is | | | | growth areas, etc. If the company is listed, the |
| to make sure you have all the details and can make | | | | corporate site will also contain annual reports and |
| the date/time. Check your diary. If you can't make it, | | | | other regulatory filings which will contain a host of |
| let the firm know you can't make it as soon as | | | | data on the company's performance. |
| possible and come back with a set of other days | | | | II. Google Do a Google search and go past the |
| times you can make it. | | | | obvious few hits which will be from the firm's |
| TIP: Be EXTREMELY apologetic if you can't make the | | | | website. A number of other websites will come up |
| suggested date/time. Banks run all-day long interview | | | | with articles about the bank's recent deals, press |
| rounds and it takes a lot of time and effort on their | | | | perceptions, etc. Google also has a function that |
| side to make sure everyone is available (needless to | | | | allows you to search on forums. These may prove |
| say bankers tend to be very busy people!). There | | | | invaluable to gain insider information about any major |
| may also be a chance that the organization cannot | | | | issue that the bank may be facing. |
| reschedule and you may have to either wait for the | | | | III. Jobseekers' websites Sites such as Vault.com, |
| next round in a few weeks time or be left out of | | | | have forums divided by firm where you can find |
| the recruiting process altogether. So if you say you | | | | advice from fellow jobseekers who are also |
| can't make it make sure you really can't make it. | | | | interested in employment opportunities with that |
| B. GET AS MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT THE | | | | institution. |
| INTERVIEW | | | | IV. Talk to people you know who may be working in |
| Find out what format the interview is going to take. | | | | the same firm or sector Goes without saying, they |
| It it going to be a 1-1 with someone from HR or a | | | | can be a very time-efficient way of gaining key |
| panel interview with people from the business, etc? | | | | insights before going for the interview! |
| Is there going to the be a quantitative/psychometric | | | | Note: Interviewers are always impressed when a |
| test? | | | | candidate is able to show some factual knowledge |
| All of this information can be found out through the | | | | about the company or its plans (you would be |
| HR department or, if the interview is being organized | | | | surprised how many people walk into an interview |
| by the business directly, from the interviewers' | | | | without even performing this basic research!). They |
| secretary. It's absolutely fine to ask these questions, | | | | come across as more "intelligent, capable and driven" |
| don't be intimidated. | | | | than other candidates, even though all they did was |
| Best case scenario you end up with an extra set of | | | | an extra few minutes search on the web! |
| information to help you prepare which will put you at | | | | So today, get this done: |
| an advantage in relation to other candidates (most | | | | 1) Confirm to the bank that you can make the |
| people don't dare asking!). Worst case scenario you | | | | interview on the suggested day and time, if you |
| don't have any additional information and you can | | | | haven't already done so |
| prepare with the data you have. | | | | 2) In the same call/email (or in a separate one if you |
| If you are interviewing through a recruiting agency | | | | have already confirmed the meeting) gather as much |
| ("headhunters") it is their duty to obtain as much | | | | information as possible on the interview format, |
| information as possible, and as a minimum should be | | | | attendees, purpose, etc |
| able to give you some background on the | | | | 3) Research the company's growth plan, financial |
| interviewer, the organization and the role they are | | | | performance, industry etc on the web and through |
| recruiting for. You can also ask for example if the | | | | contacts. Keep all pieces of information because you |
| have put through other candidates before you why | | | | will need them for the course in the next few days. |
| they were not hired, etc. so you don't make the | | | | |