本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛May 2005, I got a call to have an interview with CIBC World Markets Equity Research Department. I was pretty excited about the opportunity and went to their office at BCE place.
I thought it would be a standard interview process, it turns out to be 5 rounds at the end and the process was quite rigorous and I am hoping my experience is valuable to ppl who are interested in pursuing a career in such field and honestly speaking, to break into Equity Research, It is extremely tough, but not impossible, one of the star Analyst, Angela Gao, RBC Capital Markets, based in Calgary, who is doing quite well in her field (Oil & Gas). Angela has an MBA from University of Southern California and CFA.
1st round, Interviewed with an office Manager, a black lady, who was quite aggressive and asked a series of standard questions such as: what's equity research, why are u interested in Equity research etc. At the end, she told me that she will be picking 5 candidates to send to 2nd round for their Consumer Retail Industry Group.
2nd round, I met a star analyst, Perry Caicco, who has been consistently ranked as one of the top Equity Research Analyst in his field. We had a good chat and I did tons of research on his background. I understood he was an executive at Loblaw and I happened to complete an engagement at Loblaw just before the interview and therefore, I found some common ground on his own experience and my experience at Loblaw. Then he noticed that I've done International Baccalaureate, (I.B.) program, which his son studied as well. Anyway, the take way was to find common topics with interviewer and discover his interest as much as possible. I guess he liked me and after the interview, I got a call and invited me to third round.
3rd round, I met with two equity research analyst working with Pretty Caicco. Again, I've done intensive background research on these two individuals, expecially on their past research publications and had a fairly good discussion during the interview process. After the 3rd round, I got a call back and invited me to have a written test, the FOURTH ROUND!!!
4th round, I was taken to an office, where there was a computer with two screens, one screen shows an article of Cott International and another screen is a standard template of some financial statements. Cott was a client of my previous company and a friend of mine was working an engagement at Cott and I just happened to read an article about Cott and understood the cyclical nature of their business. The sales peak was in the summer due to demand and low in the winter time. So I BSed a bit and worked on the excel spreadsheet based financial statement. I was confident that I did well.
soon after that, I got a call for the 5th and FINAL round of interview. Thank God, by that time, i was exhausted.
The last round, I met all the recent new hire (associates) from other industry group, then the head of the Equity research department. He and I chit-chated about golf, traveling and fishing. God, if work was like that, it would be much more fun.
Anyway, at the end of the day, I was told that I was the last 2 person standing out of 1000 ppl who applied and they decided to chose another guy over me. I was disappointed, yet appreciated that experience.
Perry Caicco said one thing to me, which I still remembered and which also gave me the courage to find my current position and the position that I will be moving to in January next year. Perry said:" just keep knocking on the door, you will get in!"
Thanks Perry, I got in!!!更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
I thought it would be a standard interview process, it turns out to be 5 rounds at the end and the process was quite rigorous and I am hoping my experience is valuable to ppl who are interested in pursuing a career in such field and honestly speaking, to break into Equity Research, It is extremely tough, but not impossible, one of the star Analyst, Angela Gao, RBC Capital Markets, based in Calgary, who is doing quite well in her field (Oil & Gas). Angela has an MBA from University of Southern California and CFA.
1st round, Interviewed with an office Manager, a black lady, who was quite aggressive and asked a series of standard questions such as: what's equity research, why are u interested in Equity research etc. At the end, she told me that she will be picking 5 candidates to send to 2nd round for their Consumer Retail Industry Group.
2nd round, I met a star analyst, Perry Caicco, who has been consistently ranked as one of the top Equity Research Analyst in his field. We had a good chat and I did tons of research on his background. I understood he was an executive at Loblaw and I happened to complete an engagement at Loblaw just before the interview and therefore, I found some common ground on his own experience and my experience at Loblaw. Then he noticed that I've done International Baccalaureate, (I.B.) program, which his son studied as well. Anyway, the take way was to find common topics with interviewer and discover his interest as much as possible. I guess he liked me and after the interview, I got a call and invited me to third round.
3rd round, I met with two equity research analyst working with Pretty Caicco. Again, I've done intensive background research on these two individuals, expecially on their past research publications and had a fairly good discussion during the interview process. After the 3rd round, I got a call back and invited me to have a written test, the FOURTH ROUND!!!
4th round, I was taken to an office, where there was a computer with two screens, one screen shows an article of Cott International and another screen is a standard template of some financial statements. Cott was a client of my previous company and a friend of mine was working an engagement at Cott and I just happened to read an article about Cott and understood the cyclical nature of their business. The sales peak was in the summer due to demand and low in the winter time. So I BSed a bit and worked on the excel spreadsheet based financial statement. I was confident that I did well.
soon after that, I got a call for the 5th and FINAL round of interview. Thank God, by that time, i was exhausted.
The last round, I met all the recent new hire (associates) from other industry group, then the head of the Equity research department. He and I chit-chated about golf, traveling and fishing. God, if work was like that, it would be much more fun.
Anyway, at the end of the day, I was told that I was the last 2 person standing out of 1000 ppl who applied and they decided to chose another guy over me. I was disappointed, yet appreciated that experience.
Perry Caicco said one thing to me, which I still remembered and which also gave me the courage to find my current position and the position that I will be moving to in January next year. Perry said:" just keep knocking on the door, you will get in!"
Thanks Perry, I got in!!!更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net