The advice below is a wisdom compilation for equity research interviewees. Not a guarantee of success, but at least you will get a chance.
1) Seriousness about the job
PASS: Sharp dressing, arrive in good time, firm handshake. Phone on silent mode.
FAIL: Taking calls, checking your Blackberry. Dressing inappropriately. Arriving late, get your £4 from TFL if your train was delayed, don’t make it my problem.
Bottom line: If you can’t even pretend for the duration of the interview, are you willing to give it 150% all week long? Do not underestimate the first impression. One intern interviewee may as well have worn a bikini; instant FAIL.
2) Engagement with the interviewer?
PASS: Do you ask questions and want to know more about the company? Can you handle the mandatory British “How was your journey from….? / My, what interesting weather we are having!” as well as the more technical questions?
FAIL: Short, sharp answers. This is not a spelling bee… If all I was looking for was answers, I’d Google them. And no pre-rehearsed current affairs commentaries that you deem relevant. This isn’t Radio 4.
Bottom line: Can you communicate within our team? Are you safe to unleash on clients?
3) Focus and body language
PASS: Use your body language to mirror mine. Lean forward; maintain eye contact; don’t cross your arms and legs. Focus on ME.
FAIL: Avoiding eye contact, getting distracted by other things. The same can be said for candidates who waffle and lose their own train of thought.
Bottom line: I always look at body language. I will also deliberately interview in a busy shared lounge at our offices to see the focus of the candidates. I even made the more senior candidates take a three hour modelling test on a laptop while a conference went on around them. In case you have forgotten, this is SPARTA…
4) Tell me about yourself
PASS: Let the interviewer structure this, put it back to them. Don’t assume they want a blow by blow chronological account about your life from the moment you learned to walk.
FAIL: A blow by blow chronological account about your life from the moment you learned to walk. Failing that, a linear regurgitation of your CV.
Bottom line: Build rapport, try to find some common ground. “A pity I hate football….”
5) What would you do if faced with…. An impossible question?
PASS: I want to see how you think. So, explain your thought process and all the unknowns, until you arrive at the answer. Be prepared to defend it. If I tell you that’s wrong, think it through and reconsider. Get the interviewer involved, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
FAIL: Giving the answer without talking through the process – I was never looking for an: a, b, c (all of the above) answer. Switching off when told that you are wrong. Do not pass Go, do not collect £200, go straight back to the Job board.
Bottom line: I will always have given this thought myself. I am impressed when candidates come up with things I’ve missed. But the most important thing is if they aren’t thrown by being told they’re wrong / stopped mid-sentence. No sulking please! There will be situations where opinions vary and someone will pull rank. Show that you can handle it.
6) What do you know about the company/role?
PASS: Be able to make intelligent comment. Or ideally have some focussed questions.
FAIL: If you don’t even know the little that is on the website…
Bottom line: Are you resourceful? There are seldom “cut and paste” solutions to daily problems.
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