I have been applying for summer internships lately. I applied to a number of Finance and investment companies. Here are some of the questions that I came across and my answers to them. I just hope that the effort pays :)
Q. What attributes best describes you and how have you used them in the past to achieve
I have a passion to work and a zeal to gather knowledge at work and employing them effectively. I have worked in various positions and roles- Software Developer, Recruitment and Lateral Sourcing associate, Web Designer, Technical Support associate in my previous jobs. I joined the business school to have better understanding of the dos and donts of the business world, and to enhance my management and analytical skills which are very necessary to carry to project in any business environment. I love speaking and communicating with people. I believe knowledge transfer happens through active interaction. I consider myself as a good Team-Player, I motivate people all around me for putting in their best effort for growth and success of the team. I have strong analytical and problem solving abilities and believe in result oriented approach in managing projects and assignments entrusted to me.
Q. Last 12 months where mention where have made or saved money
I believe proper investment decisions at right time can definitely lead to profit maximization and a healthy future planning. Correct timing and accurate analysis before investing in any venture is the most crucial part. If calculations and foresight meet together they can create a synergy which will lead to optimized profit. I believe my investment in higher education is one of the best plans that I have made. I took a break from my career and joined a business school to enhance my business skills. These years at university are an investment to me. Talking in accounting terms, during the application phase a student ( or his parents !) spends a lot of money for the career advisors, counsellors, agents helping to find a suitable university, coaching institutes preparing for tests etc. But I decided to do everything on my own. During the application process i found that European Universities have less exposure to foreign students when compared with US universities. So finding info about them takes time and hardwork.I researched a lot, talked with professors, student coordinator at universities over email, made rounds at several education fairs etc. I did self study for the test and undergone the application process all by myself, thus saving quite a good amount of money. And I didnt stop there, I helped atleast a dozen of my friends to apply, guiding them thru the entire process, thereby saving their money aswell. I believe in today's world information is all that matters. The more the information that you have, the better you gain.
Q. Mention a big challenge that you have faced
I have completed my undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering. However, I decided to take up a job in the software industry, due to the fact that I liked the IT industry and it is a booming and growing sector in my country. But the liking for an industry and fitting into the job prolife easily is two different things. A very good understanding of the software development cycle was the prerequisite for the job, moreover the job required experience of working with programming languages to be demonstrated within the training period or stand ready to get fired. I practically covered a three year software engineering course in three months. At the end of which I not only survived the training period, I got numerous appreciations at my job at the same company last two years
Q.What/who motivates and inspires you?
Challenges, deadlines, assignments requiring turnaround solutions, are my motivation and it inspires me to give in my best. I believe working in such projects enhances my ability to think and offer innovative solutions, tests my skills and pushes me to perform better. Business leaders, CXOs and top managers face such challenges on a daily basis. I believe experience of numerous such projects will expose me to the complex business scenarios will imbibe in me the necessary qualities required to become a successful manager.
Q.What makes you a standout candidate in this market?
I have pursued by bachelors in technical field and worked in various positions in the technology industry. I joined the School of Business, The University of Gothenburg to merge my technical skills with business knowledge. Understanding the technology and the finance of any business will help me analyzing and providing better solutions as a manager for my clients. Also the fact that I have studied and worked in the developing economy of India and also observed and analyzed major European businesses while my graduate program in Sweden, has helped me in gathering a wider knowledge of best practices in different parts of the world. These experiences, I believe will definitely add to my skill set and allow me to take a very global approach in my career,
Q.What key skills does a successful candidate corporate financier/investment banker possess?
Ability to make quick and correct decisions is the order of the day for any investment banker or a corporate financial advisor. Managing a wide variety of customers with various levels of risk aversion and requirements and finding different solutions for each of them so as to optimize their profit is the main motive in this industry. Also, it is important that a corporate financer or investment banker should have strong sense of business ethics, should make sure that the regulations are followed and wise decisions are taken to preserve the loyalty of customers and industry.
Q.What attracts you to working in Corporate Finance/Investment Banking?
The world of business has always attracted me. Mathematics and calculations has been my forte since school days. Naturally I felt drawn to a career in finance, which I believe is full of energy and activity. Also, I am very good in working with people, interacting, understanding and managing people comes to me naturally. Both Corporate Finance and Investment Banking are positions which involve calculations, analysis as well as dealing with clients. As far as I remember I always wanted my workplace to be something like this.
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