<p>Hey guys! I had my in-person interview about 2 weeks ago for IBD. Got an email today saying “my application is under consideration.” Anyone know how long it takes to hear back after the in-person interviews? Sorry if this is a duplicate question.</p>
<p>I honestly have no idea. Got the same email today though. I’m just hoping we find out soon, even if that means an expedited decision due to another internship offer.</p>
<p>Done with the last interview…now time to wait a few weeks. Everyone else?</p>
<p>Just had my follow-up as well. I hope we don’t have to wait too long to hear back haha</p>
<p>I don’t know what the deal is this year, this thread seems pretty dead. In previous years, threads were on fire at this time of year.</p>
<p>I applied on Jan 8th, did the Skype interview on the 15th, and today was offered the opportunity for a second interview (the 16th). I am now trying to schedule it. </p>
<p>I am a sophomore, have not yet declared my major, although I listed a humanities major on my resume. I attend a top-5 liberal arts college in New England. I’m not sure if it’s a “target school” or not because I don’t know where the list of such schools is. I admittedly have little background in economics, but extensive background in politics (interned with a major presidential campaign, interned on Capitol Hill, am currently interning with a business consulting firm). Assistant managerial experience with a small business, two years during HS. I’m not sure what to expect in the interview. One red flag that came up in the first was, of course, that I don’t have much coursework in economics or quantitative areas. My SAT was very high (1500+ between writing and verbal), but rather low in math (sub-600). I’m trying to know what to expect. I follow the markets, and I have a strong understanding of the facets of the recent economic crisis (predatory lending, credit card schemes) as well as long-term economic phenomena (outsourcing). I’m familiar with the concepts of Keynes (and students of his school of thought, like Stiglitz, Krugman, Robinson) and Friedman. But it seems like the qualitative understanding of economics is not as valued for this opportunity as the quantitative capabilities…can you crank the math rather than just interpret it, basically. So this is what I have to try to work on for the interview. This is extremely competitive, however, and I think belies the notion that minorities “have it easy” with such opportunities. Nonetheless, I don’t want to get political…I basically just have a lot to cover before my interview.</p>
<p>Anyone else have a first round interview lately? Anyone get offered for a second round like me? What are everyone’s SEO experiences so far…come on, let’s get some dialogue going here.</p>
<p>I think a lot of it has to do with which internship you applied for, I don’t think you mentioned it in your post. I am almost entirely opposite of you, in that any jobs I’ve had in the past have had almost nothing to do with finance, the markets, investing, etc. I am relying solely on my analytical and quantitative skills, and whatever I have learned in the few accounting/business courses I’ve had up to this point. I’ve only been following market trends since I applied back in September, so I think it is fair to say you’ve got a jump on that.
As far as preparing for your interview goes, I took information directly from the SEO website, under the Interview and Placements section I think. As it would turn out, my in-person (skype) interview had nothing to do with the market, which was surprising. I think it’s really a role of the dice in that regard. Some people have technical interviews, others behavioral. I’d prepare for both.
And I agree, it is rather dead compared to what I’ve read from past years…maybe that’ll change with a few in-depth posts.</p>
<p>Yes, I was remiss to mention that. I applied for IB as well.</p>
<p>Well again, as I said I really have limited technical background with finance. The position as a Managerial Assistant for two years in HS helped (handled accounting and HR), as well as the current internship that I have with a business consulting firm. But other than that, I’ve been all political. I did an internship with a party campaign committee as a finance intern (but more data entry than anything really quantitative) and was a fellow with a major campaign (strictly leadership, no finance). So I guess I have some hands-on experience, but nothing involving super technical quantitative understanding. I have a strong qualitative grasp—but they don’t seem to value that as much, it’s more of a benefit as a supplement to strong quantitative grasp.</p>
<p>My first round interview was basically the “why SEO, why investment banking.” I answered well enough. But are you saying your second-round interview had nothing to do with the markets or investing at all? If so, that’s quite perplexing. What did they go over, if not that?</p>
<p>Also, Osu112, how do you think your interview went? Do you feel it would have benefited you to interview physically rather than via Skype?</p>
<p>well I applied for the Finance/Accounting internships, so I had to walk through the financial statements etc. But other than that there were a lot of “tell me about a time when…” questions. I think it went alright, but there were some minor connection problems. I think I had less nerves over skype, but I think I would’ve done better in person. Unfortunately I’m not close to any regional interview sites so it wasn’t really an option at the time.</p>
<p>I’m sorry, I applied for Finance/Accounting (Banking), not investment banking. What financial statements are you mentioning? I feel I’m revealing my ignorance too much.</p>
<p>I’d definitely prefer to interview in-person. I think some of the physical aspects (firm handshake, confident body language, physical stature if you’re tall) can enhance one’s appeal and the Skype platform takes away from that.</p>
<p>just the balance sheet, statement of cash flows, and income statement. but I definitely agree, I think physically being there would really help an outgoing, confident person. tends to be less awkward in person too.</p>
<p>I’ve been lurking this thread for a while now but I didn’t post earlier because I really had no new information to offer. I’ll relay my experience now.</p>
<p>I am an SEO-U participant attending a non-target school. Having been in contact with my SEO cohort leader and also having reached out to my campus recruiters to schedule talks, I was able to skip the phone interview portion of the process. I had a regional interview in November, and although I’d done a lot of preparation I did not feel very confident about my performance. My interview was for investment banking. </p>
<p>Today I received an invitation for a “follow-up chat” with the SEO IB managers. I’m not too sure what this means. During a conversation with one of the campus recruiters I was told there would only be one interview, so this follow-up is most likely either a rejection or an acceptance. In last year’s thread some applicants were offered a follow-up as a means of receiving their acceptance in the program, but I also believe it’s possible for this to be a rejection. I’ve been a part of SEO since the beginning of the summer, so it’s possible they may wish to give me a rejection “in-person” to respect my previous affiliation with the program and my serious desire to continue further with it. This all remains to be seen. I will update after the chat.</p>
<p>I’m not in the IB program, but I had a follow-up call where they actually did a second interview.</p>
<p>Let us know how it went. Also, if you’d be willing to, please tell some of us how your interview went and what kind of questions you were asked. In my case, my interview is two and a half weeks away, so it’s time to start prepping.</p>
<p>Anyone have any idea when first rounders are supposed to hear back?</p>
<p>I found out I got an offer! It’s such a relief knowing I have an internship secured for the summer.</p>
<p>Congratulations! When/How did you find out?</p>
<p>I also just got an offer for this upcoming summer. Investment Banking, NY</p>
<p>And just some background: non-target school in Michigan, 3.47 GPA, 30+ on the ACT… I applied in Nov/Dec and all my interviews and offer happened in Jan… one phone interview (~5 mins), one skype interview (~25 mins), got my offer over the phone and an official email the same day. I thought I completely bombed the interviews (although I did well on the case & mental math) and basically gave up on the thought of SEO until I received my offer today.</p>
<p>My process was skype interview, a follow-up phone interview, then they passed my resume to a couple of the partner firms for consideration, and I had phone interviews directly with the firms. Then SEO called to let me know that one of the companies wanted me to join them this summer.</p>
<p>The anticipation is killing me…</p>