Another help with Interview thread....

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kevin002

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Hi everyone,

This is my first post on the forum; but being a regular visitor for awhile now, I am aware that there are a number of bright individuals who would be willing to help a newbie out!

I'm in my final year of studies at the University of Toronto, and with all the campus recruiting and info sessions, it's been pretty hectic. Anyhow this morning I checked my email and was shocked to find out that I had received a phone interview from Goldman Sachs-Asia (Hong Kong) for a full time Operations Analyst position (http://www2.goldmansachs.com/careers/inside_goldman_sachs/business_snapshot/operations/articles/operations_050829145247.html) starting June 2007. Like most on this forum, my first priority is definitely IB, and I'm quite sure that Operations experience will not count towards attaining the C.F.A Charter.

However I figure I have nothing to loose, and would really appreciate if someone could share their knowledge/experience in dealing with Goldman Sachs' recruiting process.

I realize that the chances are very slim of making it through to the 2nd round of interviews but the best I could do is to try. That being said, time for a random vent of frustration "Man I hate telephone interviews!!!!!!!!!"

thanks
kevin



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at Monday, September 25, 2006 at 11:06AM by kevin002.
 
Kevin, I think no one has responded to your query because it's so generic. (And the one specific part, Goldman Sachs, is one that few have actual experience with.)

For you it sounds like the best advice is the same things most everyone has heard a million times:

1) Do research about the particular firm and job. (Not just on a message board -- there's no lack of info about Goldman Sachs online or elsewhere.)
2) Be ready to emphasize the high points of any experience of yours that you might be asked about.
3) Be sure to connect any skills you have with the requirements of the position.
4) Try to work into the conversation anything you offer that is unique -- anything that distinguishes you from other applicants (in a good way).
5) LISTEN. Interviewers and interviewing styles vary widely. Some interviewers want to test how you absorb and react, some want you to proactively bring up key points. The only reliable way to figure out what type of interview you're in is to pay VERY CLOSE attention to everything that's happening -- not just what's being said, but who is saying it, in what order, and even body language. The best interview plan is not to plan everything out 100% ahead of time -- but to adjust to what you find when you get there.
 
and know that you're not supposed to use periods between the letters of CFA...very important.
 
I like to walk around during phone interviews. Gets the energy pumping and they want to hear your excitement.

Don't have the interview on a cell phone. When I was in living in Bermuda I had an interview with a BB firm in NYC. The interview itself went fine, but when I got back to Bermuda and called for a follow up discussion my phone disconnected about 5 times. I was using Vonage and this was the first time it ever had cut out like that. After the fifth call back and apology, I had lost all confidence and was thoroughly rattled. I didn't get an offer and I wasn't surprised.

In short, use a land line in an area you're sure will be absolutely quiet.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at Monday, September 25, 2006 at 02:26PM by Danny Boy.
 
I don't know about GS recruiting for operations, but if you were recruiting for GS IBD, I would definitely say that be facile in speaking Mandarin -- and if you put it on your resume, be ready to conduct parts of your interview in Mandarin.

As for your wanting to do banking, working in operations won't help you transition that much. While it's one way to get your foot in the door, the skill sets don't overlap at all and ops is completely different from IBD. Oh, and if you're ever seriously consider doing GS IBD in Asia, you need to understand what the work environment is like there. Let's just say it's much easier to move from IBD to operations than vice versa.
 
Excellent advice from Danny Boy about the cell -- I've had a similar bad experience. I should have mentioned that too.
 
i would just say be aware of the generic entry-level questions and have good responses qeued up

- where do you see yourself in 5 years
- what are your strengths/weaknesses
- give an example when you were a leader
- give an example of a time when you had to solve a problem creatively
- what motivates you
- give examples of how you stay organized
- do you work better in a team or individually and why

there's a ton of questions like this. maybe scour the web and see if there's a resource that lists them all. have well thought out answers ready to go.
 
Thanks everyone for your detailed responses. I realize that my post was pretty generic but I appreciate you guys taking the time to give me a heads up.

I guess I should have been more clear in my original post, but I mainly wanted to know if joining as an analyst (Operations), will allow me to take advantage of more better opportunities over time (within the same division). As I said before, I have always been interested in IB, but I guess as Numi pointed out, it seems like the chances of transitioning from Ops to IBD are almost slim.

That being said, I'd like to know if it would be practical (in view of my long term goals) to accept an offer for this position (if I get an offer), solely for the company's "reputation"?

I hope this makes sense.

Turkish - My apologies for including periods between the 3 letters.
 
Kevin the Second wrote:
"I'd like to know if it would be practical (in view of my long term goals) to accept an offer for this position (if I get an offer), solely for the company's "reputation"? "

The GS cachet means something, but it's the relevant work experience that really matters. However, if you can't break into IBD at any respectable firm, you'll have to consider other opportunities such as the one you mentioned.
 
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