first ever job interview in 3 days - advice appreciated

[StrongLiftMyBalls]

Bear in mind major companies, finance and legal interviews are a different beast to others (no offence to those working in other sectors)

Stan Chart are a bit different to the bulge bracket firms. Bit more laid back. They will be unlikely to play mind games with you.

A WASP is an American termism for White Anglo-Saxon Protestant. Used to define the large majority of white collar BSD's in the city in the 80s. Nowadays obviously things are a more rainbow in the City (and for the better). Stand Chart dont follow the WASP mentality or the 'jewish' mentality of Goldmans. They are a international firm with a focus on Asia, race is not so important to them. (This might a bit trite but being a WASP, especially one that went to expensive school really does help in interviews with major firms believe it or not.

thats important. Bank want people to be confident, overly confident that the average person. Definite, accurate and concise answers to questions are a must but do not ever go for far as to be so cocky (especially if your grades are average). I interviewed at Morgan Stanley and was told it would be a casual chat this time round. It wasnt. 2 hours later and 6 different interviewers asking me where Lloyd's subordinated CDS was currently trading and id blown it. I was unprepared and always one answer behind the questions being asked.

What mcclamic said: Prepare by practising questions and all that shit but really just get your head in the game. and RESEARCH THE FIRM.
Find out where they do business (hint Asia), how they do it and what their reputation is. Research the job role thoroughly (youll be calling clients and trying to either sell them products/investments, or talking to existing clients and getting them to buy more). do some brief research into Dodd-frank and all the regulation hitting the banks and how this affects their geographical diversification.

It would also help if you speak another language.

Best protip I got was to have a glass of water with you. then when they are asking you a tough question get ready to drink from the cup. when they finish take a sip. in this precious 2/3 seconds use it to think of your answer and just say it. No umming and erring. they fucking hate that.

[IlPrincipeBrutto]

Make sure you know about the company itself, market size, financials, etc. When a candidate comes in and doesn't even do the basic research on the company and/or position, they don't get hired.

Quoted for truth.

Further on:

- Know your Cv inside out. In this case, as you don't have work experience, they might ask you to speak about your degree, why you decided for it, which part you found most congenial and which bored you.

- Show them why you want the job. This goes back to point one about doing some basic research.

- Don't overdo it. You are a total newb, which means you are close to useless for the company right now. Don't pretend you are the next big thing in sales, because you are not. Remember that companies usually hire for attitude, and then train for skills.

- Last but not least: be yourself. Easier said than done, I must admit.


Best of luck with the interview.


IPB



PS

Give a good handshake and look people in the eyes when you are introduced. You only have one chance to make a good first impression.

[Delich]

This may sound obvious but when answering questions make sure it relates how you being hired will help them, not your career. Put yourself in the interviewers shoes. They are hiring for an entry level position, they want someone to do the work and not think about you again.

[MattJ.D.]

Okay I haven't read anyones posts but we just went over job interviews in my public speaking class so here you go

DRESSING RULES
-NO COLOGNE (allergies)

-no jeans

-no red ties(shows intimidation)

-Don't wear striped ties because they are used to represent universities, unless you went to one then wear that tie obviously, but even then they might see it as showing off

-colors to wear blue/dark gray/brown suit jacket (no black)

-dress pants/shoes/shirt obviously

-make sure your hands are cleaned up(not a manicure but no long & dirty nails)

-no beard, mustache is okay

-hair should be cut and trimmed not too long but a buzz

if a dinner interview
-order something you've eaten before don't be adventurous

-don't sit down until they do

-don't begin to eat until your interviewer has first

-don't order a drink, if they try to nag you into just say, no thank you fine and repeat (you'll have the edge of no alcohol, DO NOT SAY its because I'm driving)

-napkin on legs, start from the outside of the silverware in, when down place your fork and knife upside down to allow the server to make notice of your finish

at the interview
-EAT BEFORE YOU GO, do general self cleaning shit

-Don't offer to shake their hand, let them, they may be a germaphobe

-its best to drive there a day before to 1) know how to get there 2) make plans for parking 3) know alternate route just in case

-don't arrive too early (before the interviewer) about 10 minutes top

-have 2 copies of your resume and cover letter to 1) if they can't find yours right away hand them one 2) two if they have a question and you don't remember what they're talking about you can just look at yours

-If they offer food or beverage say no thank you, only accept water

-if they ask you a question like "whats your biggest negative" spin it and say well I had a problem of working alone but in the blah blah I've learned to work with people

-if they offer to let you smoke, don't it could be a trick

-when done, thank them for their time, shake their hand (if they did on the way in) and start walking out BUT right before you exit the door turn around, look at them, say goodbye. (leaves lasting impression)

After the interview
-send them an email thanking them again

-then write a letter thanking them, what this does is say they have more interviews later in the week and you were on say Monday, they get that letter a few days later and it makes them think of you again.

[StrongLiftMyBalls]

Okay I haven't read anyones posts but we just went over job interviews in my public speaking class so here you go.

Simonsky - If you didnt know all this already and you are going for an interview at Stan Chart then give up now.

Also, Matt J.D. The advice while all technically correct and without knowing where you work/age, an interview at a huge mutli-national needs a little more prep than - '2 copies of a resume and make sure youve showered'.

[slowjoe]

Simonsky - If you didnt know all this already and you are going for an interview at Stan Chart then give up now.

Bullshit.

Interviewing is a skill. Even if he blows this one, he'll do a better interview next time.

[StrongLiftMyBalls]

Bullshit.

Interviewing is a skill. Even if he blows this one, he'll do a better interview next time.

I meant it purely along the lines that the points Matt JD said should be common knowledge (maybe i am being naive, and Matt, im not dogging on you the points are all totally valid and important for everyone to remember) but when you are interviewing at that sort of level these are no brainers.

If he blows the interview it should be on the substance of the interview itself, not that his nails arent clean...

[DV]

I've hired quite a few people in/around your situation in the last few years, and had 30+ interviews. One thing, that is contained in the advice above but not entirely clear, is to make damned sure you tell them how you can create value for the company.

I am continuously amazed at how many interviewees focus on what THEY can get out of working for US and not the other way around. This, and showing a natural interest in the company (i.e. reading up and knowing your stuff) are the two main problems I've found so far.

The rest of the advice in here is good as well, I think.

[MattJ.D.]

Simonsky - If you didnt know all this already and you are going for an interview at Stan Chart then give up now.

Also, Matt J.D. The advice while all technically correct and without knowing where you work/age, an interview at a huge mutli-national needs a little more prep than - '2 copies of a resume and make sure youve showered'.

I didn't offer him questions exactly because I don't know what kinds of questions they're going to ask, this is just some general rules to help you sell yourself because thats all an interview is basically. A lot of it seems simple, but how many people actually think of all of that their first interview?


Also to the OP the letter and email is a big deal, my teachers son (some high up in xifinity in jersey) came and said if the person applying didn't send an email and a thank you letter he didn't even consider them just because he finds that to be a sign of laziness and arrogance.

[MattJ.D.]

If he blows the interview it should be on the substance of the interview itself, not that his nails arent clean...

Then tell me why corporates get manicures then