Got an interview - Sales & Trading - any help appriciated!
Discussion
Hi guys,
I'm in my penultimate year of university so am applying to several banks for summer internships - all in the Sales & Trading divsion.
I've got a 1st round interview for JPMorgan in a week and a half so was wondering if there were any tips i could get? It consists of a numeracy test (a retest to ensure I did it online) and 3 30 min competency based interviews.
I've heard their questions are pretty ambiguous/vague?
I really really reallly want this so would appriciate whatever advise you could give me
Thanks
p.s. Sorry if this is in the wrong section!
I'm in my penultimate year of university so am applying to several banks for summer internships - all in the Sales & Trading divsion.
I've got a 1st round interview for JPMorgan in a week and a half so was wondering if there were any tips i could get? It consists of a numeracy test (a retest to ensure I did it online) and 3 30 min competency based interviews.
I've heard their questions are pretty ambiguous/vague?
I really really reallly want this so would appriciate whatever advise you could give me
Thanks
p.s. Sorry if this is in the wrong section!
Read the FT every day, and the economist this week, too, just so you know what the stories are that are going on. You ned to understand about the sub-prime crisis, the knock-on effects on liquidity, and what effects this had had on the banks, as well as any other interesting stories that your interviewer will expect to be widely known.
Also, buy Liar's Poker and read it all before the interview. Cover to cover. Gives you a bit of a flavour of what people do in banks.
Then read up about the company you are interviewing with.
Good luck.
Also, buy Liar's Poker and read it all before the interview. Cover to cover. Gives you a bit of a flavour of what people do in banks.
Then read up about the company you are interviewing with.
Good luck.
JPM is definitely one of he better shops on the street, when you read up on the firm, they will no doubt appreciate your undersanding of that. As said general financial news savvy is required, a good reason why sales and trading appeals other than the potential £££ and try not to be too nervous as the first interview, mostly these are exploratory to see if they keep you on the list and catch up with you next year.Good luck 
jamesuk28 said:
think of a good answer before hand to "what are your weakness's?" the best of luck.
I got told thats a popular questions...and I personally think its the trickiest! You dont want to identify a weakness that makes you look inadequate for the role but you dont want to come across as cocky and think you have no weaknesses!uzzi said:
jamesuk28 said:
think of a good answer before hand to "what are your weakness's?" the best of luck.
I got told thats a popular questions...and I personally think its the trickiest! You dont want to identify a weakness that makes you look inadequate for the role but you dont want to come across as cocky and think you have no weaknesses!
(well I'd hire you if you came back with that
Had this when I was interviewing out of uni, in fact, that's the easy question:
Q: What are your 3 biggest weaknesses?
A: I'd find it very difficult to come up with three, but if I had to pick one, it would be that I can get a bit frustrated when I'm working in a team and someone isn't pulling their weight.
Harder one:
Q: How would you convince someone that your way of thinking was best?
now that's a tricky question, especially if you're front office, you can't be overbearing, but you can't be too soft either - answers on a postcard
Good luck in the interview - just be sure to relax before you get there (arrive early, don't drink coffee), and be sociable with others who may be interviewing at the same time.
Q: What are your 3 biggest weaknesses?
A: I'd find it very difficult to come up with three, but if I had to pick one, it would be that I can get a bit frustrated when I'm working in a team and someone isn't pulling their weight.
Harder one:
Q: How would you convince someone that your way of thinking was best?
now that's a tricky question, especially if you're front office, you can't be overbearing, but you can't be too soft either - answers on a postcard
Good luck in the interview - just be sure to relax before you get there (arrive early, don't drink coffee), and be sociable with others who may be interviewing at the same time.
WTD said:
why do you want to work in trading/sales?
the correct answer is to make money.
it's the be all and end all of the job, so dont make up some bull about enjoying working with people, and making a difference!
no,that is a bad answer. you need to enjoy the job, and money is not sufficient motivation hour by hour. I would not be happy with a candidate who mentioned this.the correct answer is to make money.
it's the be all and end all of the job, so dont make up some bull about enjoying working with people, and making a difference!
is this your first round at JPM?
let me prepare you a little, it's a rather long and drawn out process.
It's important that you know your economics, but that you are still trainable.
the training courses are very good indeed, but you do need a certain amount of iq and eq to get through the initial stage.
sharpness, accuracy, determination and a personality will get you noticed. sometimes it's not good enough just to be that way, you have to show and prove that you are.
we see hundreds of intelligent bookworms who have the brains but not the common sense.
as in all aspects of life, there has to be a balance.
We also see the cocky people who think they can just walk in to the job. (we like disassembling them!)
There are others who have a real hunger, if you combine that with talent you've got a chance
finally, you need to be yourself..dont try and be what you think the interviewer wants you to be, he/she will see through you very quickly. not to mention the fact that if you're not who you pretend you are, you might find that trading and sales is not for you.
HTH
let me prepare you a little, it's a rather long and drawn out process.
It's important that you know your economics, but that you are still trainable.
the training courses are very good indeed, but you do need a certain amount of iq and eq to get through the initial stage.
sharpness, accuracy, determination and a personality will get you noticed. sometimes it's not good enough just to be that way, you have to show and prove that you are.
we see hundreds of intelligent bookworms who have the brains but not the common sense.
as in all aspects of life, there has to be a balance.
We also see the cocky people who think they can just walk in to the job. (we like disassembling them!)
There are others who have a real hunger, if you combine that with talent you've got a chance
finally, you need to be yourself..dont try and be what you think the interviewer wants you to be, he/she will see through you very quickly. not to mention the fact that if you're not who you pretend you are, you might find that trading and sales is not for you.
HTH
Harsh said:
is this your first round at JPM?
let me prepare you a little, it's a rather long and drawn out process.
It's important that you know your economics, but that you are still trainable.
the training courses are very good indeed, but you do need a certain amount of iq and eq to get through the initial stage.
sharpness, accuracy, determination and a personality will get you noticed. sometimes it's not good enough just to be that way, you have to show and prove that you are.
we see hundreds of intelligent bookworms who have the brains but not the common sense.
as in all aspects of life, there has to be a balance.
We also see the cocky people who think they can just walk in to the job. (we like disassembling them!)
There are others who have a real hunger, if you combine that with talent you've got a chance
finally, you need to be yourself..dont try and be what you think the interviewer wants you to be, he/she will see through you very quickly. not to mention the fact that if you're not who you pretend you are, you might find that trading and sales is not for you.
HTH
Hi,let me prepare you a little, it's a rather long and drawn out process.
It's important that you know your economics, but that you are still trainable.
the training courses are very good indeed, but you do need a certain amount of iq and eq to get through the initial stage.
sharpness, accuracy, determination and a personality will get you noticed. sometimes it's not good enough just to be that way, you have to show and prove that you are.
we see hundreds of intelligent bookworms who have the brains but not the common sense.
as in all aspects of life, there has to be a balance.
We also see the cocky people who think they can just walk in to the job. (we like disassembling them!)
There are others who have a real hunger, if you combine that with talent you've got a chance
finally, you need to be yourself..dont try and be what you think the interviewer wants you to be, he/she will see through you very quickly. not to mention the fact that if you're not who you pretend you are, you might find that trading and sales is not for you.
HTH
Yes, its my first interview with JPM.
I've always been interested in Economics, did it at A levels (and got an A), but am always interested in learning more.
I like to think that I've got the traits you mentioned (without trying to sound cocky! lol), and am most definatly not a bookworm, although I have read a couple books on the subject.
I've wanted this for soo long and want it soo bad...so hope that the intervier(s) notice that!
Thanks for all your advice, just got to prepare and pray!
NorthernBoy said:
WTD said:
why do you want to work in trading/sales?
the correct answer is to make money.
it's the be all and end all of the job, so dont make up some bull about enjoying working with people, and making a difference!
no,that is a bad answer. you need to enjoy the job, and money is not sufficient motivation hour by hour. I would not be happy with a candidate who mentioned this.the correct answer is to make money.
it's the be all and end all of the job, so dont make up some bull about enjoying working with people, and making a difference!
Harsh said:
good luck.
if you get through the first few stages you might end up facing me
(and no, being on PH wont help you )
I had a feeling you were from the "inside" lol.if you get through the first few stages you might end up facing me
(and no, being on PH wont help you
)I honestly wouldn't want to get in according to my online persona on PH...so dont worry...i wont play the PH card! lol
Thanks for all your help and advise nonetheless.
GT196 said:
My advice would be to answer the questions as honestly as possible. There isnt a right answer. It depends hugely on who is giving you the interview too. Being dynamic and able to adapt to the style of interviewer will give the best results. Good luck.
I too believe that just being honest and being myself is the best way to go...Thanks
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