Investment Analyst Interview Questions
An investment analyst must have a strong grasp of finance, fine-tuned organisation skills and firm research abilities. When interviewing for a position as an investment analyst, expect to talk about how you handle high levels of stress on the job, as well as your ability to manage your time and stay organised in a fast-paced environment.
Top Investment Analyst Interview Questions & How to Answer
Here are three top investment analyst interview questions and tips on how to answer them:
Question No. 1: Can you talk about your research and analysis process?
How to answer: Not only do interviewers want to know how you collect data, but they also want to make sure you are familiar with important finance terms and capable of explaining them to others. Additionally, employers want to know how you verify the accuracy of the information you are researching.
Question No. 2: What qualities do you think an investment analyst should have?
How to answer: This question tests your knowledge of the job position. Prove you've done your research by citing the job description and discussing how you have the qualities they are asking for. Some skills you might want to talk about include time-management skills, communication skills and research skills.
Question No. 3: Do you work well as a member of a team?
How to answer: Employers want to make sure you can work well with their current staff. When answering this question, talk about your teamwork skills and your experience working with others. Highlight your ability to complete tasks quickly and efficiently when collaborating with others.
Suppose that you have a fair coin. You start with $0. You win 1$ each time you get a head and loose $1 each time you get tails. Calculate the probability of getting $2 without getting below $0 at any time.
6 Answers↳
1/3
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1/3 Because if he requires 2 heads = $2, then it means he require HH out of {HH,HT ,TH,TT} We cannot consider TT because it would turn to zero. Therefore, he has 1 chance out of 3. Hence 1/3. Less
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Marchov chain with 2 and -1 absorbing OR geometric series 1/4^n from 1 to inf=1/3 Less
f(n) is a function counting all the ones that show up in 1, 2, 3, ..., n. so f(1)=1, f(10)=2, f(11)=4 etc. When is the first time f(n)=n.
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besmart is close. I cheated by coding it up and 199981 is the first one after the trivial case. Less
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Wouldn't that merely occur @ n = 1?
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sorry, forgot to mention other than the trivial case at n=1. the answer should be around 20000 if i recall correctly (think its 19991 but need double check on that) Less
1. Ask about your back ground? 2. Check to see how you can contribute to the role you are being hired for? 3. Why you make a good fit? 4. Case studyish questions about how you would approach this in your work at IFC
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Hi, first of all thanks for sharing your experience. I am curious to know how long you waited to get the online test results (I mean the first psychometric test not the modeling / case study)? Cheers and congratulations! CK Less
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Over a month...so you can easily forget post the first online test... After that stage things picked pace.. Less
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~1month +. I had forgotten about my application
If someone offered you $1000 today or paid out at $100 a month over the next ten months, which would you take?
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The answer should be the $1000...$1000 today is worth more than $1000 ten months from now or $100 every month for 10 months due to the time value of money. Less
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Money loses value over time...
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I think it depends largely on the market. 1000 dollars a couple years ago if put into the right fund would be nice now. With how long the market has been expanding It would be a tough choice now. Additionally, they might be checking personality on this. Do you want your money now, or do you like something steady even if the value depreciates over time? Less
Why do you have a C in acgt?
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Cuz its boring as hell!
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They will come with all questions as in the areas you are so lacking
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How do you even get an interview with a C in accounting?
Which side of the BS is Equity on?
5 Answers↳
Credit side
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It is a source of Fund, comes under Owner's fund
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There are two types of balance sheet. 1) Acount form 2) Report form In account form Assets are on left side that is debit side. Liabilities and equity are on credit side that is right hand side. In report form everything is under one vertical line that is first is assets then followed by liabilities and owner's equity. Less
Tons of behavioral questions encountered in the whole process- What would you do if there was a problem within your team etc..
3 Answers↳
I answered as practiced earlier. Added a relevant example about how I have handled a similar issue in the past. They like to see concrete evidence of the sort. Less
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Can you please provide some more questions asked and if there were any technical questions asked too? Less
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Communication is the key. We must come together and get the issues on table. A lot time it is just a misunderstanding. But I find that it's deeper than that we will find a resolution. Less
Would IRR be higher for a property generating high cash flow, or one generating nothing at all?
4 Answers↳
I hope you didn't tell them that. In fact, the IRR is the rate which allows all incoming and outgoing cash flows to be equal. The question is a bit ambiguous considering the IRR is also heavily dependent on the money invested (outgoing). With respect to the question, if you are receiving high returns relative to the amount invested, that would lead to a higher IRR. In fact, an investment that generates nothing at all would have an IRR of -100%. Hope this helps anyone who actually receives a poorly worded question like this. Extra bit of help: IRR > Risk free rate of return -> Project should be considered IRR You just lost your company a lot of money Less
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I see this question as really asking: "Do you know the definition of an IRR?" since the original question is so ambiguous. It merits a discussion of IRR rather than a yes/no answer. Less
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You can also think of it this way: IRR is the discount rate at which NPV = 0 (breakeven). This means you can assume a simplified model of NPV = –Cost + CF/r 0 = -C + CF/IRR C*IRR = CF Assuming that the investment (cash inflow into the projects) is the same for both projects, we see that as cash flow(s) increase, so does the IRR. tl;dr: IRR is HIGHER for property generating HIGHER cash flows. Less
Nothing extraordinary
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I applied online during the same month I was invited for a 3 hour test. I was required to build a financial model based on the assumptions they had given. And forcecast earnings for the next 5 years. Also had to calculate ratios and was expected to know them off head. Less
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Can you please provide me details about the 3hr test; what type of questions to expect? What type of ratios & please elaborate on the Financial Modeling. I might have the test in a few days so, would highly appreciate uour support. Regarfs Less
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Can you please provide me details about the 3hr test; what type of questions to expect? What type of ratios & please elaborate on the Financial Modeling. I might have the test in a few days so, would highly appreciate your support. Regards Less
If I were to hire you right now and told you to start working in the branch right now. What would you do?
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I would fist introduce myself to the team and any customers in the branch and make sure every one who walks thru that door knows who I am. Less
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I would start working as soon as possible
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I would start working as soon as possible