4. employment interview(25%)
WHEN: november28th, november29th, december1st
You will check-in with “reception” in Birmingham 10minutes before your scheduled time, your
interviewer will cometo waiting area to get youwhen they are ready.
Theinterview will last 20 minutes with 1-2Commerce 202team members and consist of behavioral
questions.
WHAT DOYOU NEEDTO BRING?
ü RESUME
ü COVER LETTER
ü JOB DESCRIPTION
ü PADFOLIO
ü PEN
17. tell me aboutyourself
TheMOST COMMON QUESTIONyou will get in aninterview
Can beasked indifferentways…PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
ü 2 mins or less
ü Brand yourself!
ü Speak toyour skillsand accomplishments
ü Showpassion
mostimportant: have a commontheme
18. tellingyour story
Beginning THE SPARK Growing
Interest
Your
Future
Why you
are here
• Tell them a story nobodycanreplicate!
• Impressthem withinthe first 2 minutes
24. what are yourstrengths?
• A wayforthe interviewerto tell ifyouknowyourselfand that youknowyouhave
what ittakes to do the job
• Can also beasked indifferentways!
• Preparemultiplestrengths
30. what are yourweaknesses?
• A wayforthe interviewerto seeifyouareable to identifyweaknesses and have a
plan inplace to improvethem
• Talk aboutweaknesses that wouldnot impairyoufromdoingthejob youareapplying
for
• Again, preparemultiple!
31. what are yourweaknesses?
✘ “I’msucha perfectionist”
✘ “Too detail-oriented”
✘ “Over-achiever”
✘ “Not thegreatestcook”
36. wildcard questions
• A wayforthe interviewerto gaugeyourinterestand knowledgeofthe positionand
industry
• Test yourabilityto communicate clearly
• Shows theinterviewerhowyouthink
• TESTS BUSINESSACUMEN: news, trends, etc.
• Walk them through your thought process
• Stay calm and provide aclear answer
GOAL:
37. FINANCE PITCH ME A STOCK
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS VS DOWNSIDES OF USING DEBT VS EQUITY FINANCING?
HOW WOULD VALUE A PERPETUAL ZERO COUPON BOND?
DO YOU THINK THE FINANCIAL MARKETS ARE EFFICIENT?
ACCOUNTING WHY DO YOU WANT TO PURSUE A CPA?
WHY THIS FIRM?
WALK ME THROUGH THE MAJOR LINES OF A CASH FLOW STATEMENT?
MANAGEMENT
CONSULTING
HOW MANY WORDS ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE NY TIMES?
TELL ME YOUR 5 WEAKNESSES… AND ANOTHER… ANOTHER
DESCRIBE A PROJECT YOU HAVE WORKED ON THAT CHALLENGED YOU
MARKETING HOW WOULD YOU INCREASE SALES OF X PRODUCT BY X%?
SELL ME THIS PEN
HOW DO YOU THINK OUR BLOG IS DOING?
TLOG HOW COULD YOU IMPROVE THE COMPANY’S PRODUCTIVITY?
HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH A DIFFICULT FACTORY WORKER?
HR TELL ME ABOUT A TIME WHERE YOU HAD TO MOTIVATE A TEAM
ASSUMING YOU ARE SELECTED, WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST CHANGE YOU WOULD MAKE?
RANDOM WHAT IS 3/16 IN DECIMAL?
TELL ME ABOUT SOMETHING IN THE NEWS, HOW IT RELATES TO THIS JOB
TEACH ME SOMETHING YOU LEARNED IN SCHOOL
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
40. do youhave any questions?
• Alwayshave atleast 2 questions
• Avoid asking questionsyoucould find theanswer to onGoogle
• Do notask something that has already beenaddressed intheinterview
• Alwayssafe to getthem talking aboutthemselves – maybeask something directly
related to theirjob/industryorsomecareer advice.
41. closingthe interview
THANKTHEM END WITH
HANDSHAKE
REITERATE
YOUR INTEREST
ASKFOR
BUSINESS CARD
HOW IS BEST TO
FOLLOW UP?
USE THEIR
NAME!
43. follow-upexample
Hi Michael,
I just wanted to say a quick thank you for taking the time to interview me. I really enjoyed our
conversation, even though you did not like my top two classic rock bands, at least we could
agree on Zeppelin. Good luck with your future at Goldman, hopefully the transition continues
to be a smooth one for you.
Best Regards,
Curtis Kuznecov
44. general tips
USE SKILLS MATRIX
LISTEN TO THE QUESTION
SMILE!
PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE
TAKE YOUR TIME WITH ANSWERS
