Month of Interview:
April
Industry Detail:
Equity Research
How long did the interview process last?:
1-2 months
Research Associate
Group/Division/Type:
Oil & Gas
What did the interview consist of?:
Phone Interview
1 on 1 Interview
How did you get the interview?:
Applied Online
What were the most difficult or unexpected interview questions asked?:
1) What are your 3 strengths?
2) Why Equity Research?
3) Are you applying to IB?
4) How do you feel about working long hours and arriving early (4 am) at the office?
5) Various technical and industry related questions: WACC, DCF, O&G ratios, pitch me a stock, what are the main financial statements? How do you value an E&P with NO reserves?, What is recycle ratio?, What do you think about the current O&G environment in Canada? Where in the world should be Canaccord focused right now? And overall chat about current events in the industry.
No votes yet
Overall, how would you describe your interview experience?:
Very Positive
Please describe the interview / hiring process.:
Disclosure: I have a non-finance background.
The process consisted of 3 steps (potentially 4):
1) Phone screening with a senior analyst. Mostly interested in why IB and not a career in science. Very adamant in disclosing all the 'bad' things about the job (long hours, arriving very early at the office). The call took 1 hour.
2) 1 on 1 coffee chat with an associate. Felt like a very formal interview: walk me through your resume, fit questions, technical questions. The coffee chat lasted 1 hour.
3) Invited for a final round interview in the office. Met the MD, VP, Analysts and Associates. Each had different questions, but most revolved around fit. Some basic technical questions. 3 hours in total.
4) They mentioned a final conference call with the head of ER, but this never happened.
The process took 1 month.
Overall, how difficult was the interview?:
Difficult
Official Undergrad School Name:
Overall Undergrad GPA:
4.0
Undergrad Class Year (or expected):
2017
Degree 1:
BS or BSc or SB
Major 1:
Geology & Geophysics
Varsity Athlete:
No
Millitary Program (ie. ROTC):
No
Race:
Hispanic, Latino or Spanish Origin
Sex:
Male
Outcome of Interview:
No Offer
Year of Interview:
2018
How did you answer each of these questions (please be specific)?:
1) I didn't prepare for this question, so I just answered whatever came to my mind.
2) I want to get a greater view of the O&G industry but at the same time be focused on a set of companies and become expert about them.
3) Yes, in my opinion, careers in capital markets require similar financial knowledge and skills hence I'm indeed considering IB well. However, I prefer ER since I like the idea of being focused on a set of companies and become expert about them.
4) I don't see it as "long hours", I see it as the amount of effort required to produce an output of excellent quality. I'm an early morning person (usually wake up at 5 am) so it won't be an issue to adjust to that hour.
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