In this podcast, we interview Priya, a recent outplaced candidate from our Investment Banking program. Priya shares her journey from being a fresher to securing a position at Evalueserve. She provides insights into the challenges faced, the skills required, and her experiences with the job placement process. Join us as she discusses how she navigated the competitive world of investment banking, with support from Jobaaj.

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Podcaster:
Welcome, Priya, to this podcast! Let’s start with a quick background of yourself. Can you tell us where you're from and what you're doing?

Priya:
I’m from Delhi. I’ve been working with Equity Knowledge Partners for over a year and a half now. Before that, I gained experience at S&P Global and Wipro. As for my education, I did my MBA in finance and graduated with a degree in Economics from Delhi University’s Shyam Lal College.

Podcaster:
That's great! And currently, you're working with Equity Knowledge Partners, right?

Priya:
Yes, I am currently working with them.

Podcaster:
So, what profile do you hold at Equity?

Priya:
I joined as an Investment Banking Analyst.

Podcaster:
Interesting! When did you join?

Priya:
I joined in April 2023.

Podcaster:
Alright, so you're moving on now. What’s next for you?

Priya:
I’ve already received a job offer from Evalueserve, and I will be joining them on January 13.

Podcaster:
That’s fantastic! What profile will you be taking up at Evalueserve?

Priya:
I’ll be continuing with the same role—Investment Banking Analyst.

Podcaster:
Excellent! Let’s talk about how you secured this new opportunity. Could you share the process with us?

Priya:
Sure! I received a call from Jobaaj, and they guided me throughout the interview process. They helped me prepare for the interview and kept following up to ensure I was getting responses from the HR. It was a really smooth process, and I’m grateful for their support.

Podcaster:
So, Jobaaj played a key role in helping you make this switch. Now, for anyone looking to get into an Investment Banking profile, what skills are required?

Priya:
In Investment Banking, you need to be able to read and understand financial statements. You’ll work on trading forms and transaction forms, so having a good grasp of balance sheets, footnotes, and making adjustments is essential. Strong research skills are also crucial, especially for benchmarking and comparing companies. You also need to be proficient in PPT for making company profiles, and a good working knowledge of Excel is important, though advanced Excel skills aren't mandatory. Also, secondary research plays a big role in preparing presentations.

Podcaster:
Sounds like a well-rounded skillset. What does your typical day at work look like?

Priya:
My workday starts at 10 a.m., and the first thing I do is check emails and get to work. In Investment Banking, most tasks are based on daily deliverables, so I have to stay on top of my assignments and meet deadlines. It’s crucial to stay proactive, complete tasks quickly, and communicate with the team to ensure timely delivery.

Podcaster:
What kind of tasks do you usually handle?

Priya:
It depends on the manager’s request. Sometimes I prepare company profiles, work on trading comps, or handle transactions and benchmarking. Every day is a little different, but it’s always about delivering high-quality work on time.

Podcaster:
Now that you’re switching to Evalueserve, what challenges did you face along the way, both while working in this domain and during your job switch?

Priya:
In interviews, it’s crucial how you respond to questions. If you give vague answers, interviewers will likely cross-question you. Being honest is important. If you don’t know something, it’s better to admit it and express your willingness to learn. That’s exactly what I did during my interviews. As for the job switch, it was challenging, but having prior experience helped. The questions in my second interview were more technical, and I had to deal with higher expectations due to my experience.

Podcaster:
So, for freshers, what should they focus on for an interview?

Priya:
For freshers, having a solid understanding of the basics—like finance concepts and reading financial statements—is key. Once you have that, it’s all about brushing up on your skills before the interview and understanding the job description. That way, you know what to expect.

Podcaster:
Good advice! And what tools or software do you use at your workplace?

Priya:
In my previous roles, I’ve worked with platforms like Capital IQ, Bloomberg, and FactSet. Having knowledge of these tools can be beneficial, but they’re not too hard to learn if you don’t know them yet. Additionally, proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel is essential for preparing presentations and building financial models.

Podcaster:
That makes sense. Lastly, any advice for those looking for a job in finance, especially in Investment Banking?

Priya:
I would advise job seekers to brush up on their skills, especially the ones mentioned in the job description. If you understand what the company is looking for, you can prepare accordingly. It’s important to be proactive and practice before the interview, so you’re ready for the questions that come your way.

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Don’t miss the full conversation—watch the podcast now and get inspired by Priya's journey!

 

General interview questions answered by Priya during her selection process

Can you explain how you analyze a company's financial health?

Sample Answer: To analyze a company's financial health, I begin by reviewing its key financial statements: the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. I pay close attention to revenue trends, profit margins, liquidity ratios, debt levels, and cash flows. I also calculate key financial ratios such as the current ratio, quick ratio, and return on equity to evaluate its efficiency and financial stability.

How do you prioritize tasks when handling multiple client requests or tight deadlines?

Sample Answer: I prioritize tasks by first assessing their urgency and importance. I use a to-do list and set clear deadlines for each task. I tackle high-priority tasks first and allocate more time to the complex ones. Communication is key, so I make sure to keep all stakeholders informed about the progress and any delays that might arise. Time management tools like reminders and project management software help me stay organized.

Tell us about a challenging situation you faced at work and how you overcame it.

Sample Answer: At my previous job, we had a tight deadline to prepare a financial model for a client. The data provided was incomplete, which made the task more challenging. I collaborated with my team, reached out to other departments for additional data, and worked extra hours to complete the task. Ultimately, we delivered the model on time and the client was very satisfied with the results.

Can you explain a financial concept or model you’ve worked with and how it contributed to your work?

Sample Answer: One financial model I’ve worked with extensively is the DCF model. It allowed me to forecast future cash flows of a company and discount them to present value. This model helped me assess the company’s intrinsic value and make investment recommendations. It is especially useful when comparing companies with strong cash flow generation.

How would you approach preparing a company profile for a potential investor?

Sample Answer: I would start by gathering key financial information and understanding the company’s business model. This includes their revenue streams, competitive positioning, and growth strategy. I would also include industry analysis, a comparison with peers, and recent financial performance. The company profile would also highlight key risks and opportunities for investors, backed by financial metrics and qualitative insights.

How would you handle a situation where you don’t have all the information required to complete a task?

Sample Answer: In such cases, I would proactively reach out to colleagues or relevant departments to gather the missing information. If the information is still unavailable, I would analyze the situation, make reasonable assumptions where needed, and complete the task to the best of my ability. It’s important to communicate any gaps in data to the team or client and manage expectations accordingly.