Introduction

Behavioural questions typically make up for the first part of interviews and should never be underestimated. These questions are designed to assess your personality, fit within the company culture, and your ability to handle various work situations. Preparing for these questions is just as important as mastering technical concepts, as they help interviewers gauge your soft skills, work ethic, and overall suitability for the role.

Also, remember that, in the end of the day, the person who is sitting in front of you is just another person. And just like any other person, they will either like you or deslike you.

Airport Test: The interviewer will always ask himself after each interview: “Would I want to be stuck in an airport with this person?”.

Types of Questions

Behavioural questions can be broadly categorized into three categories:

1. Background Questions
2. Motivational Questions
3. Past Experiences and Situational Questions

Background Questions

These questions focus on your personal story, career aspirations, and motivations. They are typically asked at the beginning of an interview and set the tone for the rest of the conversation.

The goal is to showcase your track record of success, dedication, and how your experiences have prepared you for a career in investment banking.

Examples:

• Tell me about yourself.

• Why did you choose your major?

• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Expert Tips:
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‍1. Highlight key accomplishments and experiences that align with the skills required for investment banking.

2. Be concise but detailed enough to provide a clear picture of your background.

3. Show enthusiasm and a genuine interest in finance.
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Motivational Questions

These questions aim to assess your motivations for the role and knowledge about the firm you are interviewing with and your reasons for wanting to join.

It is crucial to demonstrate that you have done your homework and understand the firm's culture, values, and recent deals.

Examples:

• Why investment banking?

• Why do you want to work for our firm?

• What do you know about our recent deals?

Expert Tips:
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1. Research the firm's history, culture, and major transactions.

2. Be specific about what attracts you to the firm and how you align with its values.

3. Highlight any connections or experiences that make you a good fit for the firm.
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Past Experiences and Situational Questions

These questions delve into your past work and leadership experiences, focusing on how you handled various situations. The interviewer is looking for evidence of your problem-solving skills, teamwork, leadership, and ability to perform under pressure.

Examples:

• Describe a time when you had to work under a tight deadline

• Tell me about a challenging project you worked on and how you managed it.

• How do you handle conflicts in a team setting?

Expert Tips:

1. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.

2. Provide specific examples that showcase your skills and achievements.

3. Relate your experiences to the role you are applying for to demonstrate relevance.
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General Tips

Let's explore some strategies to enhance your approach and increase your chances of making a positive impression and securing an offer. This guidance builds on the initial interview advice provided, focusing on the social and interpersonal aspects rather than the technical details.

Engage with the Interviewer

Approaching an interview with a relaxed and conversational mindset can significantly enhance your performance.

Your goal is to transform the interview into a friendly dialogue, which begins with making a strong first impression. A firm handshake and a confident response to the initial "Tell me about yourself" question set the tone for the rest of the interview. This demonstrates your ability to fit into the firm's culture and establish rapport.

Firms seek candidates who are not only intelligent and hardworking but also personable and easy to communicate with. Avoid the mindset that you are about to be interrogated. Instead, view the interview as a professional conversation between a young professional and a potential mentor. This perspective can help alleviate pressure and allow you to showcase your genuine interest and enthusiasm.

Expert Tip: Remember, the interviewer was once in your shoes and understands the challenges you face. Strive to balance professionalism with approachability. Avoid being overly casual, but ensure you engage naturally and authentically.

Be Structured

Taking a moment to think before you speak can make a significant difference in the quality of your responses.

Structured, well-thought-out answers reflect your ability to communicate effectively and professionally. There is no rush to get your words out; a brief pause to collect your thoughts is preferable to a hurried, disjointed response.

Speaking clearly and confidently, even under pressure, positively influences the interviewer's perception of you. If you feel yourself becoming tense or nervous, take a moment to calm your breath and focus on articulating your words clearly. Mumbled or unclear speech can detract from the impact of your answers.

Use specific examples from your past experiences to illustrate your points. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a popular framework for structuring your responses:

• Situation: Provide context for the scenario.

• Task: Describe your responsibility or the problem you needed to solve.

• Action: Explain the steps you took to address the task or problem.

• Result: Share the outcome and what you learned from the experience.

Avoid sounding robotic or overly rehearsed. Instead, make your answers flow naturally by incorporating comments that link your responses to the conversation.

Expert Tip: Take the time to think before you speak. Structure your responses clearly and concisely. If needed, pause briefly to gather your thoughts before answering. This shows that you can handle pressure and think on your feet.

Showcase Your Fit with the Firm

Demonstrating genuine interest and dedication can make you stand out.

Interviewers can easily tell when a candidate has put in the effort to prepare and is genuinely interested in the firm and the role. Authenticity shines through when you reflect on your past decisions and personal ambitions.

For technical questions, there are right and wrong answers, but behavioural questions require personal reflection and genuine responses. Avoid memorizing generic answers from interview guides. Instead, develop personalized responses that reflect your unique experiences and aspirations.

Attending a top school or having a stellar GPA may give some candidates a pass on behavioural questions, but for most, these questions are critical. They offer an opportunity to show your personality, fit for the firm, and your unique value proposition.

Expert Tip: Make sure you understand the firm's culture and values. Highlight how your background, skills, and personality align with the firm's needs. Show that you are not just interested in any job, but specifically in the role and firm you are interviewing for.

Handling Tough Questions with Composure

Interviews often include difficult or confrontational questions to test your resilience and composure. The key is to remain calm and not let these questions unsettle you. These questions serve two purposes: they test your ability to handle pressure and address valid concerns the interviewer might have about your qualifications.

When faced with such questions, take a moment to breathe and respond thoughtfully. Use these opportunities to provide a strong, defensible answer that addresses the interviewer’s concerns. This can turn a challenging situation into a chance to differentiate yourself positively.

Examples of Tough Questions:

• "Why did you not land an internship offer last summer?"

• "Do you have any other offers on the table right now?"

• "I see that you have a low GPA, but we typically hire candidates with a top 10%-equivalent GPA. How would you counter this?"

Expert Tips:
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1. Stay calm: Take a deep breath before responding.

2. Be honest: Address the concern directly and honestly.

3. Show growth: Use the opportunity to highlight what you have learned from any past challenges.

4. Reframe the narrative: Turn the question into a positive by discussing how you have overcome obstacles or steps you have taken to improve.
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For example, when challenged about a a low GPA, focus on what you have accomplished instead: "While my GPA was not in the top 10%, I took on a rigorous course load and was actively involved in several extracurricular activities (for example sports, or clubs) that honed my leadership and teamwork skills. These experiences have prepared me well for the demands of this role."

Prepare Thoughtful Questions

At the end of the interview, you will likely have the opportunity to ask questions. This is a crucial moment to demonstrate your genuine interest in the firm and the role.

Thoughtful questions can set you apart from other candidates and show that you have done your homework. Avoid asking about salary, benefits, or other compensation details at this stage, as these can be discussed later if you receive an offer.

At the end of the interview, you will likely have the opportunity to ask questions. This is a crucial moment to demonstrate your genuine interest in the firm and the role. Thoughtful questions can set you apart from other candidates and show that you have done your homework. Avoid asking about salary, benefits, or other compensation details at this stage, as these can be discussed later if you receive an offer.

Examples of Thoughtful Questions:

• About the Role and Responsibilities: "Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of this role?"

• Team Dynamics: "How would you describe the team I would be working with?"

• Company Culture: "What do you enjoy most about working at this firm?"

• Recent Deals and Projects: "Can you discuss a recent deal or project the team has worked on that you found particularly interesting?"

• Career Development: "What opportunities for professional growth and development does the firm offer?"

• Firm’s Future: "How do you see the firm evolving over the next few years?"

Expert Tips:
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1. Be specific: Tailor your questions to the firm and role.

2. Demonstrate enthusiasm: Ask questions that reflect your eagerness to contribute and learn.

3. Show you did your homework: Your questions should indicate that you have done your research and are genuinely interested on the firm.
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Avoiding Common Pitfalls:

• Don’t Ask About Salary or Benefits: These questions can be perceived as premature and may suggest that you are more interested in compensation than the role itself. Especially because in investment banking is pretty much the same everywhere, so just Google it!

• Avoid Overly Personal Questions: Keep your questions professional and relevant to the job and the firm.

By preparing thoughtful questions, you not only gain valuable insights into the firm but also reinforce your interest and enthusiasm for the position. This final part of the interview can leave a lasting impression on your interviewer, so make sure your questions are meaningful and well-considered.

Conclusion

A robust preparation for behavioural questions is key to succeed in interview process. One of the most common mistakes candidates do is precisely underestimating this part of the interview because they are already comfortable with the technical questions. Really do practice your responses to demonstrate your suitability for the role and leave a lasting positive impression. Remember, your goal is to show that you are not only technically proficient but also a great fit for the firm's culture and team.