Quick Tips for Your First Intern Interview

Investment banks usually conduct initial intern interviews around December and January. Some banks like to do the first round of interviews through phone calls. If this is your first phone interview, don’t feel nervous. These quick tips should be helpful.

Venue – make sure to find a private place to do your phone interview. Background noise not only disturbs your listening and talking, it will create a negative image to the interviewer.

Mobile phone – not recommended. Make sure to use a landline where line quality can be guaranteed.

Be yourself – don’t try to be someone you aren’t. The interviewer will be looking for someone who’s genuine and authentic – not pretentious and superficial.

Be polite – thank them for the opportunity to be interviewed. Also thank the interviewer at the end of the call.

Thank you note – if you have an email contact (ask for one, if you don’t), send a short thank you note afterwards.

Listen carefully. Interviewing is all about listening hard and responding sensibly and succinctly. Don’t talk too much and keep your answers well thought out and relatively short.

Answer questions. Make sure to answer the question which is being asked. If you can’t answer it, tell them: people respect honesty, rather than BS.

Ask questions. Ask incisive questions about the Bank. Do your research in advance on the bank, its culture and values, their recent moves and their strategy and ask what they are planning to do globally and in Asia (or the region where you are). This shows that you’re really motivated to work with them, are really interested in their organization and have prepared well for the discussion.

Wrap up. At the end, ask the interviewer if he or she has covered all the points he or she wishes to address – and ask about the next steps in the interview process.

Investment Banking Interview

Investment Banking Interview Guide