| In one sense the guidance contained in this article can | | | | you be facing an interview panel? Will you undergo |
| be applied to preparing for any job application | | | | some forms of analytical or psychometric testing? Will |
| interview. So, whether you have experience of | | | | the interview be conducted at an assessment center |
| attending interviews in the past or not, you need to be | | | | where it may seem less formal but you will be on |
| aware of the importance of effective and diligent | | | | interview the whole time including how you interact |
| preparation. This is especially true in the finance and | | | | with the other applicants. |
| banking industry where the interviews you will undergo | | | | - Interview location - if the location of the interview is |
| are equal to the benefits you will enjoy should you be | | | | unfamiliar to you, gather as much information as you |
| hired. | | | | can on how to get there. (Normally this will be |
| Make sure you are totally prepared for your | | | | provided). It's important to make sure you have more |
| investment banking interview by: | | | | than enough time to get there and compose yourself |
| Confirming The Interview | | | | before the interview commences. |
| The one thing that you can rely on is that investment | | | | - Interview feedback - one powerful way of gaining an |
| banking interviews are typically well structured and | | | | advantage is by gathering any previous interview |
| depending on the organization and number of job | | | | feedback. If you have attended interviews before, |
| opportunities available the interviews can cover | | | | what did you learn from those situations? What |
| different times, dates, and even locations. | | | | worked well for you? What mistakes did you make? If |
| You have been fortunate to be considered for one of | | | | you have been selected by means of a professional |
| these opportunities by the invitation to attend an | | | | recruitment agency, they are likely to be more than |
| interview. The very first thing you need to do is to | | | | familiar with the company with which you have the |
| confirm that you are able to attend the interview on | | | | interview. Ask them what their experiences are in |
| the required date and at the suggested location. | | | | recommending other applicant previously. What |
| Remember we are talking about career choices here. | | | | feedback did they receive directly from the company's |
| If you cannot make the interview there better be a | | | | representatives and how can this help you prepare? |
| very good reason why you can't. Contact the | | | | Understanding The Organization |
| organization immediately and try to reschedule. | | | | One final point to help you prepare for your investment |
| Hopefully you will be successful but there is also the | | | | banking interview and may also give you more of a |
| situation where you will not be. In the worst case you | | | | "competitive edge" is to gather as much information as |
| may even be dropped from consideration. | | | | you can and increase your knowledge about the |
| Understanding The Interview | | | | organization itself. |
| Part of being fully prepared for your investment | | | | This will come across during the interview itself either |
| banking interview is finding out as much as you | | | | by the well informed way you respond to questions |
| possible can about the interview process itself. When | | | | asked of you or the intelligent questions you ask the |
| confirming you are available, don't just leave it at that. | | | | interviewer(s). Not only will this help to impress them, it |
| The more you can find out at this stage may well give | | | | also shows your level of commitment, your desire to |
| you an edge over the other applicants as the majority | | | | get hired by this company, and the ability to apply |
| of them will not ask. Find out: | | | | yourself. |
| - Interview format - will it be with the department | | | | It never ceases to amaze me how few job applicants |
| head? Will it be with a representative from Human | | | | fail to carry out this very important research. Don't be |
| Resources? Will the interview be one-on-one or will | | | | one of them. |