蓝天勒蓝天
求职应聘英文面试技巧
● 英文的面试问题类型有限：大部分问题可以预测。
● 面谈时间不长：英语面试一般不会超过10分钟，求职者回答的时间有限。
● 回答内容比较固定：大部分提问都对应较为稳妥的回答，求职者有充分的时间准备。
● 招聘方的考查目的：对程序员的英语要求在于能读、能写、能交流。
本章列出一些常见的英文问题及参考回答，同时还提供了许多面试中常见的英语词汇供参考。
1 英文面试过程和技巧
自我介绍时应该记住“3P原则”：Positive(自信)，Personal(个性)，Pertinent(中肯)。
● 谈吐自信，就是要积极地进行自我肯定，让面试官充分了解求职者的优点与潜能。
● 突出个性，就是要把自己与众不同的特点发挥出来，强调自己的专业与能力。
● 语言中肯，就是要实事求是，不要言过其辞，夸夸其谈，也不要涉及与工作无关的事情。
自我介绍应简洁明了，给面试官留下思路清晰、反应快捷、逻辑性强的印象。自我介绍时间不宜太长，最好控制在五分钟之内，以免言多语失。
另外，在自我介绍时应避免过多地使用“I”(“我”)，每个句子一开头就冒出一个“I”字，会给人留下自我标榜、以自我为中心的印象。灵活的应聘者往往会把以“I”开头的话，变成“You”字开头。
下面是一些面试中的注意事项
(1)自我介绍不要面面俱到。
自我介绍时首先用一句话陈述自己的基本特征，然后迅速进入正题，选择自己最引以为傲的经历叙述。切记，面试官一般会承接求职者的自我介绍发问，所以在做自我介绍时最好不要涉及特别难讲清楚的事情或者比较抽象的概念。
(2)忌语速过快。
剑桥大学的一项调查显示，语速快一般体现不同的人具备的两种不同特质，一种是思维和语言反应能力强且协调的人，另一种是处事急躁的人。英文面试的第一目的是让招聘方了解求职者，最重要的是展示综合素质，绝非单单的语言能力，所以面试中应该首先力求表达清晰。另外，语速过快容易给人不自信、不稳重的感觉。
(3)语言尽量简单直接。
习惯于堆砌华丽词藻的人期待在面试中用大气磅礴的英文演讲征服面试官，其实犯了舍本逐末的错误。虚拟语气、倒装句和长词冗句不要在面试中使用太多.
2 英文面试常见问题和答案
A、关于工作(About Job)
实际工作中，员工常常需要不断学习和勇于承担责任，求职者如果能表现出这种素质，会给应聘方留下良好的印象。
面试例题1：What range of pay-scale are you interested in?
(你感兴趣的薪水标准在哪个层次?)
参考答案
Money is important, but the responsibility that goes along with this job is what interests me the most.(薪水固然重要，但这工作伴随而来的责任更吸引我。)
假如你有家眷，可以说：
To be frank and open with you, I like this job, but I have a family to support.
(坦白地说，我喜欢这份工作，不过我必须要负担我的家庭。)
面试例题2：What do you want most from your work?
(你最希望从工作中得到什么?)
答案: I hope to get a kind of learning to get skills from my work. Though I have studied in school for nearly 16 years, I have only learned knowledge. In the university, I got no chance to see real life and didn’t get working skills. So I want to learn some working skills and become a professional in an industry. (我最希望得到的是一种学习，能让我学到工作的技能。虽然我已经在学校学习了快16年,但只是学习到了知识，在学校里，没有机会接触到真正的社会，没有掌握一项工作技能，所以我最希望获得一项工作的技能，能够成为某一个行业领域的专业人士。)
面试例题3：Why did you choose us?(你为什么选择到我们公司来应聘?)
答案: As the saying goes, "well begun is half done". Your company is a famous one in the industry and boasts a high reputation. I hope to choose your company as the beginning of my career. I can not only learn new things, but set a solid foundation for my future career as well. (俗话说“良好的开端是成功的一半”。贵公司是行业内的知名公司，享有很高的声誉。我希望选择贵公司作为事业的开端，不仅可以学到新东西，而且为我将来的发展打下良好的基础。)
面试例题4：What do you hope this job will give you?
(你最希望这份工作给予你什么?)
答案 I hope this job will give me a chance to take responsibility. In more than ten years’ of study as a student, I have never taken any responsibility in any real sense or earned money for a company. I think people can only become mature by taking on responsibility. I hope this work will give me the chance to develop fully. (我希望这份工作可以给我一个承担职责的机会。在过去十几年的学习生涯中，作为一名学生，我从来没有在真正意义上承担过责任，为一个企业盈利。我认为，人是通过承担一定的责任才能成长、成熟的，我希望这份工作能够给予我发展的机会。)
面试例题5：Why should I hire you?(我为什么要雇用你呢?)
答案 I feel that my qualifications match your job description. I have a proven track record in resolving problems, multitasking, and dealing with customers, as you can see from my resume.
(我觉得我的条件正适合你们的工作类型。从我的简历中你可以看到我有一份证实我在解决问题，进行多重任务工作和处理顾客问题方面能力的证明资料。)
面试例题6：What can you offer this company?(你能为公司做出什么贡献呢?)
答案 In addition to the skills and experiences we discussed, I'm an extremely hard worker, I'm very thorough and methodical, I get along great with people, and I'm a quick learner. (除了我们刚才讨论过的技能和经历之外，我是一个工作非常努力的人，我工作很认真，而且很有办法，我能与大家相处得非常好，并且我学得很快。)
面试例题7：Great! So when can you start?
(好极啦。你什么时候可以上班呢?)
答案 I have to give two weeks notice, which is just enough time to complete my current project. I can start any time after that. (我必须提前两周提交辞职报告，在这两周内，我要继续工作并完成目前的任务。两周后，我可以随时上班。)
面试例题8：Can you tell me some of your strengths and weaknesses?
(你能告诉我你的强项和弱项吗?)
答案
I'm loyal, honest, I manage my time effectively, I always follow through on my work, and I have great computer skills. Umm, I can't really say I have any major weakness that affects my performance at work. I believe in continual learning and on-the-job training I can perform even better. Sometimes, I think I'm too hard-working, but I really love my work.
(我忠诚，诚实，能有效地利用我的时间，我工作有头有尾，并且我有很强的计算机运用能力。事实上我没有什么会影响到我的工作表现的重大弱点，我坚信通过不断地学习和在职培训我会表现得更好。有时我工作太疯狂了，但我实在太热爱我的工作了。)
例题9：How do you normally handle criticism?(你通常如何处理别人的批评?)
答案 Silence is gold. Just don't say anything, otherwise the situation could become worse. I do, however, accept constructive criticism.
(沉默是金。不必说什么，否则情况更糟，不过我会接受建设性的批评。)
When we cool off, we will discuss it later.
(我会等大家冷静下来再讨论)
面试例题10：What do you find frustrating in a work situation?
(在工作中，什么会令你不高兴?)
答案 Sometimes, the narrow-minded people make me frustrated.
(胸襟狭窄的人有时使我泄气。)
Minds that are not receptive to new ideas. (不能接受新思想的那些人。)
面试例题11：How do you handle your conflict with your colleagues in your work?
(你如何处理与同事在工作中的意见不和?)
答案 I will try to present my ideas in a more clear and civilized manner in order to get my points across.
(我要以更清楚文明的方式，提出我的看法，使对方了解我的观点。)
面试例题12：How long would you like to stay with this company?
(你会在本公司服务多久呢?)
答案 I will stay as long as I can continue to learn and to grow in my field.
(只要我能在我的行业里继续学习和长进，我就会留在这里。)
面试例题13：What contribution did you make to your current (previous) organization?(你对目前/从前的工作单位有何贡献?)
答案 I have finished three new projects, and I am sure I can apply my experience to this position.(我已经完成3个新项目，我相信我能将我的经验用在这份工作上。)
面试例题14：Why did you leave your last job?(你为什么离职呢?)
答案 Well, I am hoping to get an offer of a better position. If opportunity knocks, I will take it.
(我希望能获得一份更好的工作，如果机会来临，我会抓住。)
I feel I have reached the glass ceiling in my current job. I feel there is no opportunity for advancement. (我觉得目前的工作，已经达到顶峰，即没有升迁机会。)
B、关于个人(About Person)
有时候招聘方会提到有关求职者的个人信息的话题，以此判断求职者是否符合他们的要求。例如有些工作需要方言和人脉，适合本地人来做;有些工作需要经常出差，单身的人就有优势。但是有些问题涉及到个人隐私，求职者不方便回答，例如招聘方问：“I noticed you're wearing a wedding ring. Do you have any children?”这时最好的回答就是“Why do you ask?”这样可以掌握主动，了解招聘方真正的意图，也许招聘方只是想知道求职者是否能长时间留在他们公司。
面试例题15：What leadership qualities did you develop as an administrative personnel? (作为行政人员，你有什么样的领导才能?)
答案I feel that learning how to motivate people and to work together as a team will be the major goal of my leadership.
(我觉得学习如何把人们的积极性调动起来，以及如何配合协同的团队精神，是我管理工作的主要目标。)
I have refined my management style by using an open-door policy.
(我以开放式的政策，改进我的管理方式。)
面试例题16：How would your friends or colleagues describe you?
(你的朋友或同事怎样评价你?)
答案Pause a few seconds. (稍等几秒钟再答，表示慎重考虑。)
They say Mr. Chen is an honest, hardworking and responsible man who deeply cares for his family and friends.
(他们说陈先生是位诚实、工作努力、负责任的人，他对家庭和朋友都很关心。)
They say Mr. Chen is a friendly, sensitive, caring and determined person.
(他们说陈先生是位很友好、敏感、关心他人和有决心的人。)
面试例题17：What are your strongest traits?(你个性上最大的特点是什么?)
答案 Helpfulness and caring.(乐于助人和关心他人。)
Adaptability and sense of humor.(适应能力和幽默感。)
Cheerfulness and friendliness.(乐观和友爱。)
面试例题18：What personality traits do you admire?(你欣赏哪种性格的人?)
答案 I admire a person who is honest, flexible and easy-going.
(诚实、不死板而且容易相处的人。)
I like people who possess the can-do spirit.(有实际行动的人。)
面试例题19：How do you handle your failure?(你怎样对待自己的失败?)
答案 None of us was born perfect. I am sure I will be given a second chance to correct my mistake.(我们大家生来都不是十全十美的，我相信我有第二次机会改正我的错误。)
面试例题20：What's your greatest weakness? (你最大的缺点是什么?)
答案 西方老板特别爱问这个问题，让求职者感到很紧张。事实上，这个问题是考查求职者对棘手问题的反应。你没必要如实回答你的`弱点，因为那有可能让你得不到这份工作。相反，你可以告诉他们一些与工作不直接相关的事情。
例如可以按照下面的方式回答。
● I tend to drive myself too hard.(我总是让自己太辛苦)
● I expect others to perform beyond their capacities
(我希望其他人的发挥能超出其自身能力的范围)
● I like to see a job done quickly, and I'm critical if it isn't.
(我比较性急，总是希望能尽快地完成工作)
面试例题21：How do you rate yourself as a professional?
(你如何评估自己是位专业人员呢?)
答案 With my strong academic background, I am capable and competent.
(凭借我良好的学术背景，我可以胜任自己的工作，而且我认为自己很有竞争力。)
面试例题22：If you had a lot of money to donate, where would you donate it to?Why?(假如你有很多钱可以捐赠，你会捐给什么单位?为什么?)
答案 I would donate it to the medical research because I want to do something to help others. (我会捐给医药研究，因为我要为他人做点事。)
I prefer to donate it to educational institutions.(我乐意捐给教育机构。)
面试例题23：What kinds of people do you like to work with?
(你喜欢和什么样的人一起工作?)
答案 I like to work with people who have pride, honesty, integrity, and dedication to their work.(我喜欢和有自尊、为人正直诚实、并且乐于奉献的人一块儿工作。)
C、关于未来(About Future)
有时候招聘方会问求职者有关未来的问题，目的就是了解应聘者做事的风格，以及应聘者对这份工作的看法。当然由于求职者还不是很了解自己所应聘的工作，因此在回答问题时并不一定面面俱到，大致说明自己的计划目标就好了。
面试例题24：Could you project what you would like to be doing five years from now? (你能预料五年后你会做什么吗?)
答案 As I have some software management experience in my last job, I may use my organizational and planning skills in the future.
(我在上一个工作中积累了一些软件管理经验，我将来也许要运用我组织和计划上的经验和技巧。)
I hope to demonstrate my ability and talents in my field adequately.
(我希望能充分展示我在这个行业的能力和智慧。)
Perhaps, an opportunity at a management position would be exciting.
(也许有机会，我将会从事管理工作。)
如果不愿正面回答，也可以说：It would be premature for me to predict this.(现在对此问题的预测，尚嫌过早。)
甚至还可以打趣的说：Hypothetically speaking, I might be able to do your current job as a software project manager.(CEO / president。)
(说不定，我也能做你现在软件项目经理的工作呢!)
面试例题25：What specific goals have you established for your career?
(你在职业方面有什么特殊的目标?)
答案 My goals include becoming an expert software project manager, so I can obtain a better working knowledge of both software technology and communication with my clients, which would allow me contribute to my client base as a better software services since I would have that extra insight into the requirements they are looking for. (我的目标是成为一个高级软件项目经理，这样我就能获得更好的软件技能和与客户沟通能力，从而能为客户提供更好的服务，因为我对于他们要投资的需求以及所需技能具有绝佳的分析和见解。)
面试例题26：What will it take to attain your goals, and what steps have you taken toward attaining them?(为了达到你的目标，你会用什么方法，采取什么步骤?)
答案 I would like take the following steps. First of all I￠m stduying some kinds of software technologies including system programming and application programming. Secondly，I will learning how to communicate with both my team members and my clients. Finally I can find my strongest suit which is toward to type of technology or type of management.
(我准备进行下面的步骤。首先，目前我正在学习多方面的编程技术，其中包括系统编程以及应用编程。然后，我需要学习如何与我的团队成员以及客户做更好的交流。这样最后决定自己的特长是偏向技术类型还是管理类型。)
苏州大高中
面试技巧 英文版
面试技巧（一）
第一部分、传统面试问题(Sample Traditional Interview Questions)
1、What can you tell me about yourself?(关于你自己，你能告诉我些什么?)
这一问题如果面试没有安排自我介绍的时间的话。这是一个必问的问题。考官并不希望你大谈你的个人历史，他是在寻找有关你性格、资历、志向和生活动力的线索，来判断你是否适合读研或者MBA。下面是一个积极正面回答的好例子：“在高中我参加各种竞争性体育活动，并一直努力提高各项运动的成绩。大学期间，我曾在一家服装店打工，我发现我能轻而易举地将东西推销出去。销售固然重要，但对我来说，更重要的是要确信顾客能够满意。不久便有顾客返回那家服装店点名让我为他们服务。我很有竞争意识，力求完美对我很重要。”
In high school I was involved in competitive sports and I always tried to improve in each sport I participated in. As a college student, I worked in a clothing store part-time and found that I could sell things easily. The sale was important, but for me, it was even more important to make sure that the customer was satisfied. It was not long before customers came back to the store and specifically asked for me to help them. I’m very competitive and it means a lot to me to be the best.
2、 What would you like to be doing five years after graduation?(在毕业以后5年内你想做些什么?)
你要清楚你实际上能胜任什么。你可以事先和其他的MBA交流一番。问问他们在毕业后在公司的头5年都做了些什么。可以这样回答：“我希望能在我的职位上尽力做好工作，由于在同一领域工作的许多人都被提为区域负责人，所以我亦有此打算。”
I hope to do my best I can be at my job and because many in this line of work are promoted to area manager, I am planning on that also.
3. What is your greatest strength?(你最突出的优点是什么?)
这是很多面试考官喜欢问的一个问题，这是你展示自己的最佳机会，不要吹嘘自己或过于自负，但要让雇主知道你相信自己，你知道自己的优点。如可答：“我认为我最大的优点是能够执着地尽力把事情办好。当做完一件工作而其成果又正合我的预想时，我会有一种真正的成就感。我给自己定了一些高目标。比如说，我要成为出色的毕业生。尽管在大学一年级时我启动慢了些，但最终我以优等论文完成了学业。”
I feel that my strongest asset is my ability to stick to things to get them done. I feel a real sense of accomplishment when I finish a job and it turns out just as I’d planned. I’ve set some high goals for myself. For example, I want to graduate with highest distinction. And even though I had a slow start in my freshman year, I made up for it by doing an honor’s thesis.
4. What is your greatest weakness?(你最大的弱点是什么?)
你不应该说你没有任何弱点，以此来回避这个问题。每个人都有弱点，最佳策略是承认你的弱点，但同时表明你在予以改进，并有克服弱点的计划。可能的话，你可说出一项可能会给公司带来好处的'弱点，如可说：“我是一个完美主义者。工作做得不漂亮，我是不会撒手的。”
Im such a perfectionist that I will not stop until a job is well done.
5. How do you feel about your progress to date?(对于你至今所取得的进步你是怎样看的?)
绝不要对你以前的所作所为表示内疚。如可答：“我认为我在学校表现不错。事实上，有好几门功课我的成绩居全班第一。在某公司实习时，我获得了该公司数年来给予其雇员的好几项最高评价。”
I think I did well in school. In fact, in a number of courses I received the highest exam scores in the class. As an intern for the X Company, I received some of the highest evaluations that had been given in years.
第二部分、其他常见问题
6.Why did you choose peking university?
7.Why did you choose MBA?
8.What would you like to be doing five years after graduation?
9.What has been your greatest accomplishment?
10.Describe your greatest strengths and weaknesses.
11.What have you learned from the jobs you have held?
三、行为面试问题(Sample Behavioral Interview Questions):
12.Describe the best/worst team of which you have been a member.
13Tell me about a time when your course load was heaviest. How did you get all of your work done?
14.Give me a specific example of a time when you sold someone on an idea or concept.
15.Tell me about a time when you were creative in solving a problem.
16.Describe a time when you got co-workers or classmates who dislike each other to work together.
17.Tell me about a time when you made a bad decision.
四、压力面试问题(Sample Stress Interview Questions):
18.What kinds of people do you find it difficult to work with?
19.What are some of the things you find difficult to do?
20.How would you evaluate me as an interviewer?
21.What interests you least about MBA?
22.How do you handle rejection?
23.What is the worst thing you have heard about our school?
24.See this pen Im holding. Sell it to me.
五、案例面试问题(Sample Case Interview Questions):
25.A chain of grocery stores currently receives its stock on a decentralized basis. Each store deals independently with its suppliers. The president of the chain is wondering whether the firm can benefit from a centralized warehouse. What are the key considerations in making this decision?
A magazine publisher is trying to decide how many magazines she should deliver to each individual distribution outlet in order to maximize profits. She has extensive historical sales volume data for each of the outlets. How should she determine delivery quantities?
六、非常规问题：
26.It is the 15th Century. How do convince the Pope that the Earth is round?
27. If I gave you an elephant, where would you hide it?
28. Why are soda cans tapered on the top and bottom?
29. How much RAM does a PC need to run Windows95?
30. You are in a boat on a fresh water lake. In your hand is a rock. You throw the rock into the lake. How is the lakes water level affected?
31. If it rained music, what would grow?
32. Describe your best friend and what he or she does for a living.
33. In what ways are you similar or different from your best friend?
34.What are your careers strengths and how do you capitalize on them?
35. Are you a happy person?
36. According to JRM, Jr., a fast growing software company asked this question... You have a wealthy aunt who weighs 300 pounds. Tell me how you would redesign her toilet.
七、其他常见的英语面试问题：
37.Would you please make a brief introduction about yourself?
38.Why did you take the MBA examination? Would you please say something about the currently MBA program in China?
39.Why do you choose RENMIN University to study MBA? Tell me a little about RENMIN University form your understanding.
40.How do the people around you review MBA?
41.What’s the difference between MBA program at home and abroad?
42.If you failed this time what will you do in the near future?
43.Why do you want to be a part of MBA students?
44.Why do you think you are qualified for MBA program?
45.Do you have a career plan in 5 years?
46.Do you have a study plan if you were accepted as a MBA student?
47.What’s your opinion about the requirement that a MBA student must have working experience?
48.How do you define marketing or management?
49.Do you think English is quite important in MBA study? Why?
50.Do you think MBA training courses will help you a lot in your future life? Why?
51.What do you want to do after your MBA study?
52.What is the most important qualification that a MBA student should have?
53.Say a little about teamwork.
54.Say a little about management.
55.How communication works in organizations?
56.Tell me the relationship between the management and management theory.
57.What will you do if you can’t find a job?
58.Do you think that the economy will get better?
59.Who are you currently employed with?
60.What kinds of opportunities are you looking for?
61.What is your biggest accomplishment on the job?
62.What joy did you enjoy the most and why?
63.What would your former boss say about you?
64.Why did you leave your last job?
65.Please tell me a little about your working history? What kind of fields?
66.Say a little about your educational background.
67.What are your strengths and weakness?
68.What do you do in your spare time?
69.What is your impression of Beijing?
70.What is CFO? If you were a CFO, what would you do?
71.What is the difference between sales and marketing?
72.What do you think is the most important as a manager?
在面试快结束的时候，一般考官都会问，你有没有什么要问的。除非你是最后一个面试者，你明显感到所有的考官都急切的想离开，一般不适合说“I don’t have any question.”可以问考官一两个你关心的问题(Questions you should ask the recruiter)：
73.What changes do you anticipate in our school? (你希望我们学校会有些什么样的变化)
74.Which is the best course in our school? (什么课程是我们院最好的课程)
75.does our school provide some guidance of job to MBA?
最后可以说：Thank you for giving me the chance. I hope to see you again and soon. (谢谢您给我机会，我希望很快能再见到您。)
面试技巧（二）
What do investment banks look for in new recruits? Tip No. 1： It has little to do with your ability to multiply 19 x 43 and everything to do with your passion for the job.
If consulting firms attract the type A personality， then the world of investment banking attracts type A-plus. Are you a workhorse? Do you find yield curves sexy? Do you debate company valuation methods the way sports geeks debate football teams? Great. But top firms are also looking for candidates whose personality makes them a great fit and who have the stamina to work insanely long hours and climb the ladder till the way to managing director.
Unlike a consulting interview， which lends itself to cool， cerebral case studies and brain games， the investment banking interrogation won"t involve many airy， academic questions. Instead， expect nuts and bolts： "Which would have a higher P/E ratio， a food company or a pharmaceutical company?" "Where are interest rates going， and why?" But never lose sight of the fact that the single biggest question lurking in the background of any I-banking interview is one that"s seldom asked directly： "How committed are you to this profession and our company?" The bank wants a return on its training investment in you， so show your passion and commitment， or don"t show up.
Know Thyself
You must be in command of your resume and the story it tells. Ideally， you"ll be able to talk about your prior banking experience or at least relevant projects you"ve done. If you"re interested in the sales and trading side of the business， remember： Life can be both an ongoing sales pitch and an exercise in risk management. Comb your past for anecdotes that make those points. "If， at 16， you persuaded your reluctant parents to let you go to a foreign country where you didn"t speak the language， I think that tells me a lot about your selling skills and the way you thrive on a challenge，" says a recruiter at Goldman Sachs. In any case， you must demonstrate that you"re a glutton for hard work. "They"re looking for people who are into 100 million things， who need more than 24 hours in their day for everything but are still focused，" says Sheila Marmon， a former associate at Morgan Stanley. Talk about a situation where you (or， better yet， you in a team context) performed well under extreme pressure. If you led a dynamic organization or ran your own business， be sure to discuss that.
But go easy on the entrepreneurial spirit. A little can go a long way; too much can make you unhirable. "Of course we want entrepreneurial people，" says Carlos Valle， managing director of GMI global recruiting. "But if I see someone was running a business in high school， two businesses in college， and one in B-school， I know they"re going to get restless here very soon." If you"re an incorrigible entrepreneur， focus on aspects of your past relevant to investment banking; for example： "When I was running my business， I needed to produce a model of sales versus expected returns， and here"s how I did it." Another potentially tricky question： "Do you have a favorite industry?" You probably do， and you should seize the opportunity to display your passion， but don"t create the impression that you"d be happy working on deals in only， say， the software sector. Seldom will you be able to write your own ticket.
Know Thy Firms and Thy Coveted Job
It may sound obvious， but you need to be able to discuss the details of investment banking in plain language. And you should be attuned to differences among banks： Lehman Brothers is known for its bond deals while Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs have retail distribution. Know their street lore too. "Goldman has a reputation for being team-oriented; Morgan Stanley was always known for encouraging individuals and mavericks，" says Marmon.
Current events are your friends. You can find valuation techniques in books， but you can"t teach common sense about day-to-day finance. Firms look for the latter. If Goldman"s P/E is two tenths lower than Merrill"s， you should be able to say why. Make sure you"re conversant in the recent history of the bank too. If an interviewer lobs a question about a current merger， be able to refer to precedents and make specific comparisons with them. You may even be asked about a firm"s very recent past， such as its stock price at the prior day"s close.
of this prepares you for the inevitable question： "Why do you want to work here?" A good answer will acknowledge the firm"s interests as well as your own; for example： "I"m interested in working here because you"ve focused on market Y and market Z rather than trying to serve everyone， and your firm encourages individual initiative by . . ."
Quantify the Measure of Some Things
If you"ve made it to the interview stage at an investment bank， you can more than likely multiply 23 x 17. Your interviewers know this， and they will be apt to keep most of their questions practical. Still， you do need to know basic valuation techniques： how to use sales， market capitalization， or earnings information to evaluate firms. But remember that such evaluations are as much art as they are science. And don"t use jargon carelessly. "If you"re truly a finance jock， go ahead and dive into the details，" says Marmon. "Just know what you"re doing. I remember a job candidate who responded to a question by saying "Well， you need to use a P/E ratio." When we asked him why， it was obvious he didn"t know what he was talking about."
If the interviewers want to play brain games ("How many public telephones are there in the United States?")， keep in mind that they"re looking for the quality of your thinking process， not the correct answer. "I once asked a candidate， "If you were a trader， and with one trade you had a 50 percent chance of making $100，000， and with another you had a 20 percent chance of making $1 million， which one would you choose?" The guy went conservative and explained why. He got the job offer." The lesson： The key part of this is the "why，" not the "right" answer. "They"re looking for people with strong opinions and convictions，" says one trader at Goldman Sachs. "They"re less interested in what those convictions are than in how you"ve arrived at them."
A Strong Fish
When you get a chance to turn the tables and ask questions， do it wisely. "It can be the most important test you pass，" says Neil Rothenberg， a former associate at Dillon， Reed. "Ask provocative questions that imply your long-term interest." Try these：
"Could you describe the culture here， using examples?"
"How are decisions made within the organizational hierarchy at this firm?"
"Has there been any recent attrition in management?"
All of these are challenging and all of them suggest you"re looking at the big picture. More important， perhaps， in asking them， you"re answering that big， lurking question： "Yes， I"m prepared to commit for the long haul."
