Student Organizations
IMBA Finance Club - Careers
Important Links for a Finance Career
Certified in Financial Management (CFM)
http://www.imanet.org/ima/index.aspThe Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) organization grants certification. One must become a member of the organization. There are four parts to the exam which may be taken one part at a time. Exams are given at computer testing centers around the United States. One can also take a fifth part of the exam to obtain another certification, Certified Management Accountant (CMA). This fifth part is waived, if you have already obtained a CPA certification. The above Web site further explains the CFM certification, the IMA organization, how to apply, the requirements, and how to study for the exam.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®)
http://www.cfainstitute.orgThe CFA institute grants the CFA certification. One must become a member of the organization. There are three levels of the examination which must be completed sequentially and are offered throughout the globe. Level I is composed of multiple-choice questions and is offered in June and December. Levels II and III consist of essays and item sets. These levels are offered only in June. Candidates may enroll for only one examination at a time and must wait to receive their examination results before enrolling for the next examination. Results determine whether a candidate must repeat the current level or advance to the next level. Refer to the above Web site to learn more about the certification, the organization, how to apply, the requirements, and how to study for the exam.
Typical Interview Questions for . . .
Strategic Planning and Corporate Finance / Investment Banking / Sales and Trading / Public Finance / Venture Capital
Strategic Planning and Corporate Finance
- What is the long-bond at?
- Explain discounted cash flow analyses or valuation methodology.
- Define the concept of cash flow vs. net income.
- What is our stock price trading at? Market value? Sale? Net income? Price-earnings ratio?
- Why corporate finance as opposed to sales and trading?
- What do you hope to gain by working for our company
- Where do you see yourself five years from now?
- How do you see your career progressing in our company?
- What do you know about our industry?
- Our ____ division is thinking of introducing a widget new product. How would you go
about determining if this is a good idea? - How does M&A activity in banking affect our industry?
- We are having trouble managing our (division). What do you think the key performance metrics might be and how might your go about improving them?
- How would you go about valuing our (division) for a potential sale, spin-off, or
liquidation?
- Why an IMBA? Why Moore School of Business?
- Why investment banking? Why this bank?
- What are your outside activities? Why would you be willing to give them up for such a demanding job?
- What role do you play in group situations?
- What would you do if offered drugs as part of the deal? (or other ethically-focused questions)
- How smart are you? How do we know how smart you are?
- Sell us on your quantitative skills.
- If we made you an offer today, would you take it?
- What did the Dow, S&P and NASDAQ close at yesterday?
- What stocks do you follow and why?
- What other firms have you talked to?
- What does it take to be a successful in investment banker? Highlight those skills from your experience.
- What qualifies you to work in I-banking? In which department will you be most successful? Why?
- What motivates you?
- How do you perform under pressure? In what kind of environment do you work best?
- Give an example of an accomplishment in your life? Failure?
- Where is the _____ industry going? The market? This firm?
- Ethics and I-banking: has the industry been represented fairly?
- How do you regularly read on the industry?
- What do you regularly read on the industry?
- Name the top firms. For what are they known?
- Sell me this pencil.
- What other firms have you talked to?
- What makes you think you can sell?
- What is a bond?
- What would you personally invest in?
- What are forward rates, LIBOR rates?
- What particular markets or instruments are you interested in? Why debt vs. equity?
- Where is the market going? Where are rates going?
- What does the yield curve look like? What does it mean?
- Tell me what you think a trader does.
- Why not corporate finance?
- Describe an instance where you persuaded someone to do something they initially didn't want to do.
- What about your personality will make you a good trader?
- How will you motivate yourself to make the calls you hate to make?
- What are your grades?
- What do you think having an MBA does for you in this field?
- Tell me a joke.
- Why public finance? Why this firm?
- What areas are of particular interest to you? (e.g. housing, health care, utilities, education)
- Why venture capital?
- Why the Moore School to study venture capital? Why not ______ University?
- What particular strengths do you have for venture capital?
- What do you think a venture capitalist does?
- What motivates you? How do you motivate others?
- Have you interacted with a variety of people from all levels from CEO to technician? With what results?
- How strong is your grasp of technical issues/technology?
- What operations exposure, management experiences have you had?
- In addition to high-tech ventures, where do you think VC money should be going?
- Do you think emphasis should be on raising money and putting it to work, or on the human capital?
- What do you look for in a venture? Which is more important, the product or the people behind it?
- Describe your analytical and interpersonal skills.
- Do you have a high energy level?
- Are you a good team player?
- Have you had to deal with failure in a professional context?