Questions Investment Bank Interviewers Ask

as reported by former bc students

Finance Questions

  • Why do you want this job?
  • Why do you want to work for us?
  • If you could buy one stock today, what would it be and why?
  • Discuss the effect of rising interest rates on the US economy.
  • What issues does XYZ Company have in entering a given industry (Porter framework)?
  • How do you value firms?
  • What's a cost of capital?
  • When do you use a WACC versus a cost of equity?

Behavioral Questions

  • When did you show leadership?
  • When did you perform well (poorly) in a group?
  • Describe a time when you had a personal conflict and how you resolved it.
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Describe a time when you had an ethical dilemma and how you resolved it.
  • What is your most significant accomplishment?

Brain Teasers

  • How many gas stations are there in the US?
  • Fidelity question: if the entire population China stood up with outstretched arms touching, how many times would they encircle the Earth?
  • How many manhole covers are there in NYC?
  • It's 3:15 - what's the angle between the hands on the clock?
  • You have a 3 liter jug, a 5 liter jug and a continuously running hose. Using those 3 things, how do you get exactly 4 liters in the 5 liter jug?
  • You have 9 balls, with one weighing more than the others, but you can't tell by just picking it up. Using a scale no more than two times, how would you find the ball that outweighs the others?

General

  • Get across the idea that you'll run through walls for a company. Your predecessors have saddled BC with a reputation for smart, but lazy students.
  • Tell them that you're very interested in the job - your being at the interview isn't sufficient by itself.