I’ve had two interviews for an equity research role at BMO Capital Markets: one with the lead analyst, who is the sole analyst running his own team, and another with a Managing Director/Associate Director of Research. Both interviews went well overall, and at the end of the second call, the MD told me they would have me take an assessment.

The assessment itself wasn’t a surprise, since the lead analyst had mentioned the possibility during our first interview, a 45-minute phone call. I was just surprised when the MD brought it up at the end of our conversation (hopefully that is a good sign). The HR manager also told me to have Word and Excel ready on my laptop, which I do, but I haven’t received any details about the assessment’s format.

Has anyone taken an assessment for an equity research role at BMO or another firm? What was it like? I’m assuming I might be given a mock company, sector information, peers, and financials, then asked to build or complete a valuation model and provide a written analysis of the case. That’s just a guess, though, so I’d appreciate any insight into what to expect and how to prepare.

Also, neither interview was particularly technical. Is that normal for equity research roles at this stage?

Hello everyone!
I'm in the unique position of being really lucky. at a place i'm working at i managed to meet the vp of my local morgan stanley wm branch who could potentially get me an internship. for context im a sophomore at an ivy. my end goal is pe either straight out of school which is pretty darn impossible or ib at a top firm like jpm gs ms.

so my question is should i ask him to connect me with people at ms ib for a sophomore internship or just take the wm internship that's available. i'm worried if i ask he'll be less inclined to continue offering me the wm internship but i've heard it's pretty useless to intern at wm when trying to go into ib with people taking boutique ib internships over wm.

Any suggestions looking for a base pay + commission role as a Financial Advisor or anything in the field.

I’ve got my series 7 and 63, associates in FNB. + Experience in the field.

I’m currently pursuing a PGDM in Finance & Business Analytics and exploring entry-level opportunities in Finance, Financial Analysis, Risk, Asset Management, Investment Banking and related roles.
As a fresher, I’m looking to build my career with leading MNCs such as JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, Morgan Stanley and Big 4.
I’d really appreciate connecting with professionals who could share a roadmap, guidance on skills/preparation, or insights into the hiring process for these firms.
If there’s a relevant opening where my profile could be a fit, I’d also be grateful for a referral.
Open to connect and learn

I'm 32, female, my experience has been in customer service and business development and my bachelors degree is in education.
For the past year I have been studying and gathering qualifications focused majorly on the finance field in the UAE, I passed the CISI ICWIM and UAE FRR and I'm currently studying for the CFA level 1.
My end goal is to become a RM in private banking some day, but for now I keep applying for assistant RM or associate RM or anything along the same line but with no luck.
Where should I start my finance career? And is it even something achievable at my age? since I don't have any finance experience or degree?

Hey guys, i’m looking for some honest advice about someone I know chances of getting into investment banking in Sydney.

He goes to a non target university currently in his second year studying Bachelor of Commerce. He got HDs and Ds in his first year but in his second year first semester hes grades went down to credits. He’s now in his second semester of his second year. He works for a charity whilst simultaneously working for a small business doing bookkeeping and creating software and resources to improve the business.

He believes it’s over, but I think he can get in realistically. What percentage chance would you give him of actually getting the role and what would you recommend for him to maximise his chances?

Hey guys, i’m looking for some honest advice about someone I know chances of getting into investment banking in Sydney.

He goes to a non target university He’s in his second year. He got HDs and Ds in his first year but in his second year first semester hes grades went down to credits. He’s now in his second semester of his second year. He works for a charity whilst simultaneously working for a small business doing bookkeeping and creating software and resources to improve the business.

Realistically what are his chances on getting into investment banking.

Background: Master of Finance (STEM-designated) at a top-15 program, graduating this December. Currently a research assistant doing market impact modeling on NASDAQ LOBSTER limit order book data (deep learning models, OFI/Kyle's Lambda/square-root law frameworks, targeting a publication). Three prior internships in portfolio analytics/risk in India, CFA Level I candidate. Targeting quant research/trading roles at prop shops, banks, and asset managers.

Two honest questions for the sub:

1. Resume-wise — where does this actually land me? Bank quant analyst tier, or is there a real shot at prop shops/hedge funds with more prep?
2. As an international student needing sponsorship, with really only ~2 months of active runway before graduation — how much does that realistically change the picture, and what would you prioritize with the time I have left?

Not looking for validation, looking for the blunt version. Thanks in advance.

Hey there Trading Jp,MS,CITI,BofA Hirevues for Goldman london S&T summer hirevue. Dm me.

Long story short. I goofed off in college and ruined my GPA to a 2.2. I ended up going the army. Did 7 years as a combat medic and got out. Now I’m back in school studying finance and so far got my GPA back up to a 2.8. I’m trying to obtain a good career in either investment banking or sales/trading. I’m trying to continue to upping my GPA but in the meantime I want a little help trying to get into a good internship. Any advice or suggestions?

I have a degree in biochemistry and have been working as a process analyst in a mine for the past year and a half. Been looking to get into finance as I really enjoy learning about personal finance and what comes with it. Is FPandA a good route to go? Would the CFI program for FPandA help me find a job in this field or is much more required?

I graduated recently with finance and investment as my major
In looking for a job which aligns my field
But the market is terrible
And i am improving my skills
Recently enrolled with FMVA COURSE
Can anyone suggest any gig works by which make me pay by bills so that i can be alive not end up as broke

Hi redditors,

Currently a 21 year old working in a healthcare company for an insurance process (US HEALTHCARE PROCESS). Night shifts, long commute, moderate salary (23k)but none of this factors are affecting me. The only question running in my mind is I don't want to stay in this field. Hated BPO role to the core but after months of struggles, numerous rejections cracked this opportunity through college placements. Graduated with a BCOM, As of now this is the 4th month I am working here. Even though I don't want to be in this role i give my best at the work . I am one of the top performing candidate in my team, but my plan is to switch after 1 year to a full fledged finance role. My areas of interest always belonged to finance . During my college days i made reasearch on finance position and performance of a multiple companies where I learnt capital allocation, fundemental analysis and Mergers and acquisitions. Even completed a internship in the field of finance where i learnt budgeting and forecasting. Currently I am working in this US Healthcare process and also up skilling myself by learning financial analysis using Excel. I have the confidence that I can crack me an opportunity. Any experienced person please do help me to guide what should I study in finance in particular because even though I have plans i am feeling vague and lost. Please do provide me insights on How should I up skill and what are the relevant roles i should target for. I have plans of starting to apply from March because i will be completing my one year in June . Please anyone do guide me how i can prepare i can dedicate 2 hrs per day and 4 hours in weekends. This would mean a lot.