Friday, March 16, 2007

Investment Banking Interview V

Investment Banking Interview – Questions Frequently Asked

Today, we are focusing on core questions in a typical investment banking interview. Your answers should be creative and most important of all, ‘be yourself’. No need to discuss with your friends and exchange model answers. Let the hiring manager have your personal insights and thoughts. This is one of the best ways for you to stand out from the crowd.

Questions on Investment Banks


  1. What department do you want to work for inside investment banking and why?
  2. Who is in the bulge bracket?
  3. Rank firms on Wall Street and where do we fit? Who is our competition (in the major categories)? What differentiates our firm? What are our firm's strengths? Weaknesses?
  4. Describe a typical day of an investment banking associate?
  5. Do you understand the lifestyle issues associated with this profession?
  6. What is your greatest concern about investment banking?
  7. How does your past career qualify you for a position in investment banking? Why are you not going back to prior career?
  8. If you were the CEO of our firm, what major changes would you implement?

Random Questions

  1. What is your personal Beta?
  2. Are you more risk averse or risk seeking?
  3. What is the riskiest thing you've ever done?
  4. What did you eat for lunch? How do you like New York? What do you do when you're bored?
  5. Think of the team you worked with the most and give me a word that describes each team member.
  6. Let’s imagine you died and are giving a speech at your funeral. What would you say?
    How would you spend $1,000,000 besides investing it?
  7. While interviewing for a job in the New York office, the interviewer tells you that he/she is getting the impression that you are more interested in the Boston office. You are. However, why do you say?

Recommended reading: IB Interview Guide

Brain Teaser Questions – to be continued

Investment Banking Interview

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