Students of the Cox School of Business gained insights into the interview process of several finance-related industries at a panel discussion Thursday.
The event, organized by the BBA Career Services office, featured five Cox School alumni who shared anecdotes about their interviews as well as what they look for when they interview applicants today.
“It’s very hectic going through the process,” reflected 2004 Cox BBA graduate Daniel Kimes, who now is a private equity associate with Natural Gas Partners. “You are still a student and still have classes, but you might have ten interviews in a week.”
While the panelists acknowledged that academic achievement and technical skills were important as to getting a job, they emphasized that personality is just as important.
“You are going to be working long hours with these people,” Kimes said. “You are going to want to like them and they are going to want to like you.”
The panelists suggested that interviewees do research on each company they interview with, and to be prepared to discuss current events. They also noted that some companies use brain teasers in their interviews.
“It is not important to have the right answer [on a brain teaser],” said 2004 Cox MBA graduate Kate Flume, a private wealth advisor with Goldman Sachs. “What is important is the thought process.”
The panelists stressed the importance of exuding confidence in an interview, but noted that it was possible to be too confident.
“Always shake someone’s hand and look them in the eye,” Flume said. “Have some confidence in yourself, but not arrogance.”
The panelists also spent some time reflecting on their occupations and careers, and discussed how that played into what they look for when they hire someone.
“It was neat to hear the different viewpoints and see how each person’s different experiences changed their situation,” first-year Collin Aufhammer said. “Still, it boils down to people skills and getting the job done.”
Some students who were not 100 percent sure on a career choice were grateful for the panelists’ discussions of their experiences in their various fields.
“I definitely learned that I do not want to do investment banking,” junior Jeff Glidewell said. “The discussion helped me decide which careers I am going to look into.”
