Fake Job Listings, Interviews Not Converting?? - Weekly IB Recruiting Tips

Good morning,

• Job Listings Abound, but Many Are Fake. In an uncertain economy, companies post ads for jobs they might not really be trying to fill. (WSJ) Reminder, a good recruiter knows who is hiring and who is not. If you submit your resume via an online job posting, a recruiter can no longer help you at that firm. See hot jobs below.
• Some companies are recruiting seniors on the premise that age equals a stronger work ethic. (WSJ)
• Wall Street banks and European rivals are undoing de facto hiring freezes after CSFB's emergency rescue by UBS, unable to resist the lure of top talent available at a discount. (Think Advisor)
• The spring term marks the height of this year’s investment banking recruiting process, when members of the Class of 2025 interview with select investment firms to get hired as summer 2024 interns. This year, the investment banking recruitment process began earlier than in years prior.?The recruiting timeline has been pushed forward, as the process this year is beginning nearly a month earlier than it did previously.?(The Dartmouth)

Recruiting Tip – 5 Reasons Your Interviews are Not Converting

If you’ve been having a brutal time when it comes to actually landing a job offer, you may want to take a serious look at what you are doing and course correct. You know the old adage, it’s not you, it’s you. Here’s a look at some of the common problems that I have seen that keep qualified candidates from getting a job offer.

You Sound Too Scripted and Uptight

I have interviewed literally hundreds of candidates for roles in?investment banking. Some of the worst?interviews?I’ve ever had are when a candidate provides canned, one-size-fits all generic answers. Bankers work a ton of hours, they want to be able to know that you a normal, intelligent, well-spoken person. Trust me when I say that giving automated monotone robotic answers that don’t even answer the?interview?question is sure to bring the hiring process to a screeching halt.?

Preparation for an investment banking job interview is a good thing. Reading from a script, not so much. I recommend prepping for your interviews by creating a bulleted list of answers to potential questions. When you are asked an interview question, be natural, answer calmly, look for non-verbal clues from your interviewer and make sure they are engaged and interested in what you are saying.?

You are Overly Enthusiastic, Super Timid or Super Weird

I have mentioned this before. DO NOT BE WEIRD. It doesn’t matter how technical you are or whether you know you can nail the case study, you will never get past the first round if you are weird and awkward. Weird, awkward interviews typically fall into two camps. Overly enthusiastic people who come across like hummingbirds on crack or low-energy timid people who lack energy and enthusiasm for the role.?

Candidates who approach interviews with trepidation and think they are there to passively answer questions are not the type of worker that bankers are looking for. Successful candidates are engaged and interview the employer as well. If you’re interviewing, come prepared with questions (complete with follow-up questions); make sure to display an active interest in the company and its operations. That being said, do not fire off a bazillion questions and make the interviewer feel uncomfortable. Be normal.?

Not Following Up

No matter how hot the market is, or how talented you think you are, bankers still want to feel the love to know that you are sincerely interested in the job. Write a?thank you note?or send an email. It’s not that hard. Do not cut and paste the same thank you note and send it to all the bankers you interviewed with. Mix it up a little. Do not write a dissertation. 3-4 sentences max should suffice.?

No Preparation

Coming into an interview blind, not preparing is a rookie interview mistake that can be easily avoided. Research the Company and position in advance of the interview. Prepare your qualitative answers. Review your technicals. Conduct mock interviews. There is nothing worse than interviewing a candidate that has not prepared. Talk about dead on arrival.?

Making Demands Before You Have the Offer

Don’t do this. This is idiotic. You don’t have the job. Asking for accommodation, guaranteed salary, work from home options. NO NO NO. The interview is not the time to bring this up. If you happen to be working with a recruiter, they can often provide guidance you on these delicate issues. Truth be told, unless you are a ROCK STAR, you really should not be making demands. Heads up, no firm that I work with is ok with remote work. Net, net you are not going to be paid a NYC salary when you don’t live in NYC.?

?????? How Can?Getting the Offer?Help???????

We understand the financial recruiting landscape and have extensive experience working with hiring managers. We can help you pinpoint what went wrong and help you course correct so that it doesn’t happen again.?

Getting the Offer Services

• Clean-up, reformat and retarget your resume so that you can secure more interviews
• Linkedin profile analysis
• Sample mock interview questions
• Sample technical interview questions
• How to Break into Banking?Networking?Tips and Tricks
• Target Company recommendations
• Target Company Prep Exercises
• Mock-interviews
• Develop a customized networking strategy
• General guidance and support

We know the banks and know what they are looking for. With our guidance and support we will help you navigate this ultra-competitive job market.?Email me at?[email protected]?or check out?GettingtheOffer.com?for more details.

HOT JOBS 4/10

??Immediate Hire Opportunities??

1. EB RX Associate 2 NYC. Must be from BB or EB. Must have RX or LevFin (structuring). Will consider Visas.
2. Fintech Boutique looking for a Fintech Associate 2/3. Role will be based in NYC. Must have M&A & Fintech. Will consider Visas.
3. EB Software M&A Associate 2/3 NYC/SF- Must be from BB or EB. Software experience preferred. M&A a must. Will consider Visas.?
4. MM Software Associate 2/3 Boston/SF/DC - Must be from BB or EB. Software experience preferred. M&A/Tech a must. Will consider Visas.?
5. Managing Director BioTech (M&A, ECM) Middle Market Bank - NYC
6. Managing Director & Head of Internet Investment Banking NYC
7. Managing Director - Healthcare - Location can be LA, Chicago or NYC. No Visas.
8. Managing Director - Digital Media - Menlo Park preferred but could be NYC, Chicago or LA. No Visas.
9. Managing Director - Industrials (open to any subsectors within Industrials) Can be LA, NYC, Chicago, Menlo, Charlotte. No Visas.
10. Associate - Software - LA Only. No Visas.
11. Associate - Healthcare - LA Only. No Visas.
12. Associate and Analyst - Capital Advisory/Special Situations - LA or NYC (Special Sitch experience preferred). No Visas.

SUPER ACTIVE

• Associate 2/3 Consumer M&A Middle Market bank NYC must have M&A and industrials/consumer preferred. BB or EB experience needed (actively interviewing for immediate fill)
• FIG Associate Global Bank immediate hire - NYC. We are looking for a FIG Associate who has some insurance deal experience. The role is with a top 15 global bank. The candidate will work on off-the run and esoteric insurance and insurance tech transactions.
• We are working on behalf of an elite Healthcare M&A focused boutique in NYC to find them an Associate to join their Team. Direct Healthcare sector experience is not required, just superior M&A experience. The candidate must be fully licensed: 79, 63, SIE. The ideal candidate will be an Analyst to Associate promote, no MBA Associates (those without an Analyst background). Candidates with middle market sell-side experience preferred.
• A2A promote to cover HC - no MBA associates (those without analyst background). Want primarily middle market sell-side experience – public markets, biotech financings not applicable. Candidates with the following industry experience: TMT, Consumer, Industrials, Financial Sponsors (especially if they've worked on PE Portfolio Company transactions) (and obviously healthcare as the first pick, if we can find someone). No H1Bs. Closed more than one transaction and has worked on a deal team where they've managed an analyst. Licensed.