10 Unforgivable Sins Of CORPORATE FINANCE INTERNSHIP

 

1. Please describe yourself briefly.

Prepare an eloquent and concise response to this joint inquiry, as it almost certainly will begin the interview. The person conducting the interview wants to get to know you as a person, but they also want to know how your abilities, experience, and corporate finance internship strengths will benefit the company. Therefore, concentrate on your relevant experience and your impact in previous positions. You can also tell the interviewer something special about yourself to make sure they remember you.

Since my time as school treasurer in high school, I have had an interest in finance. Since then, I have concentrated on gaining practical experience through internships with two small banks and one large investment firm throughout college. As a result, I have a wide range of cross-disciplinary experiences that let me see things from different angles—from managers to CEOs to customers. I want to start working toward my MBA after graduation because it will only expand my skill set.

2. What inspires you?

The interviewer is trying to find out what made you decide to work in finance and whether their company will be a good place for you to work. Even though money is a significant benefit, you shouldn't just interview for the position because of it. Instead, you can craft a winning response from the heart if you think about why you decided to pursue this career in the first place and what motivates you to do your best every day. For instance:

"I knew from a young age that I wanted to work with numbers as a career because they helped me make sense of the world. I was able to help my roommates with their finances and explain complex topics to them in a way that was easy for them to understand throughout high school. I am incredibly motivated by the opportunity to assist others in pursuing and achieving their financial objectives. I adore the ability to bring complex data to life for clients. I have to solve another puzzle every day.

3. What distinguishes you from other applicants for this position?

The interviewer attempts to break through the noise with this question and ascertain precisely why you are the best candidate. This is your chance to stand out from your rivals and highlight your accomplishments and experience. Share now if you have any accolades, awards, or just a unique point of view.

"To begin with, even though I'm youthful, I have heaps of operational experience — and I've gotten that experience by being a self-starter and driving myself to learn new things in each job. For example, despite being the youngest member of my team, I was quickly promoted to manage multiple employees at my previous bank position. I'm also very outgoing, whereas many people you interview will be good with numbers. As a result, I can truly connect accounting internships near me with my customers and assist them in making informed decisions. You'll get the best of both worlds with me: a good understanding of finances and the capacity to establish lasting relationships with your clients."

4. Please describe the challenges you've overcome.

Employers use this question to learn more about how you deal with difficulties. Keep your response relevant to the position, and remember that this is an excellent time to address anything on your resume that might be cause for concern. For instance, if you are a student or recent graduate, utilizing the STAR method is the ideal time to address your lack of experience. Finally, end your response positively by emphasizing how you ultimately prevailed.

Finding my first internship was one of my biggest challenges. Given that I was a rising junior and the position was highly competitive, most applicants were at least a year older than me. However, I was determined, so I contacted everyone on LinkedIn with whom I had a tenuous connection. I talked to them about the position and ensured that at least one person would review my application. I used that I had recently finished a significant school project related to the job description's main points. I demonstrated why I would add value to the organization by connecting that experience to their requirements. As a result, I was granted the entry-level position, where I was further ready to show off my abilities."

5. What would former supervisors and coworkers think of you?

By asking this standard question, the interviewer can determine if you're a good fit for the position, what sets you apart from other candidates, and how self-aware you are. Your response must be truthful, as there is a good chance that the interviewer will inquire about your references to see if the descriptions match. A good response could include two positive characteristics and one that "needs improvement" because one of the primary purposes of this question is to determine whether you have an accurate self-image. Be sure to provide evidence to back up your response.

My previous managers would say I'm conscientious, organized, and focused on the small things. Sometimes, though, I need to be less careful about being on time versus being perfect! While working with numbers, even one little mistake can financial analyst internship become lamentable. So, before I submit anything, whether it's a straightforward spreadsheet for a staff meeting or a comprehensive financial plan for a client, I always take my time and check it twice. As a result, previous supervisors and coworkers frequently requested that I review a project before it left the office.

6. Which stock would you choose, and why, if you could only choose one?

The interviewer is trying to better understand your personality and financial style by asking you a question like this specific to your industry. Do you take chances or stick to your guns? Do you put your money into the tried-and-true or the next big thing?

I'm always looking into the newest and greatest stock market players, but Netflix would be my pick if I had to. Netflix is well-positioned to increase its growth over the long term, and the company still has a significant international market to conquer. In addition, Netflix's stock is a good option because it has an influential position in the tech industry and has consistently exceeded revenue and earnings estimates.

7. What links connect the three primary financial statements?

Because you are applying for a job in finance, you should anticipate being asked many basic knowledge-testing questions. For example, you could respond to this question like this:

"The three fundamental fiscal reports are monetary records, pay proclamations, and income articulations. Net income is linked to both the balance sheet and the income statement. On the balance sheet for this period, retained earnings from net income go into stockholders' equity. The cash amount is added to the balance at the end of the previous period after all these are linked.

8. EBITDA is what?

EBITDA is a topic that is likely to be discussed in an interview due to its significance in the investment and finance industries. Expressing this idea clearly shows that you are well-versed in critical financial principles. In your finance interview, demonstrate your knowledge with the following response:

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization are EBITDA. It gives the investor a good idea of the company's profitability. It's a speedy measurement for the net gain of an association before specific derivations are made."

9. Show me how to use a DCF.

The time value of money is used in a discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis in finance to value a project, business, or asset. Because a DCF is one of the most important ways to determine how much a company is worth, your interviewer will want to ensure you know a lot about it.

"Building a five-year forecast of the three financial statements is the first step in a DCF model, based on specific business assumptions and their reverse financed internship performance. The perpetual growth rate or exit multiple would then determine the terminal value. The forecast period and the terminal value would then be discounted back to the present value using a discount rate. In the end, I would arrive at the company's enterprise value.

10. What are your long-term concerns if you were the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of a Fortune 500 company?

In finance, you need to think big, and this question asks you to look at the big picture and consider a company's goals, finances, and overall health from a long-term perspective. Additionally, it demonstrates your strategic thinking skills. Be sure to link your response to pertinent issues and the three statements.

"I would have different concerns regarding each of the three statements if I were the CFO of a major company:

1. Focus on the company's revenue growth and profits overtime on the income statement.
2. I want to focus on capital assets, credit ratings, and liquidity ratios on the balance sheet.
3. I would be concerned about cash flows in both the short term and the long term about the cash flow statement, and I would also consider ways we might raise money over time.

 

Whether you're simply starting your profession or hoping to switch things around with another position, being ready for your money interview is critical to finance internships near me your prosperity. You can be sure you'll give your rivals a run for their money if you review our list of the most common finance interview questions.