Would really appreciate some advise......Have had 8 interviews with this Ibank and have 4more coming up with the higher echelons. Got a lot of very positive feedback from first couple of rounds but was told Im not aggressive enough (not the first time Ive gotten this as feedback from interviews). They said Im totally on the ball technically just dont come accross very assertive (aggressive???). How do I combat this? Im not a shy person but perhaps come accross too nicey nicey in interviews. Any advise on what I can say to top MD's without seeming overly cocky (or is that what they want??)Cheers!

Ignore the psychobabble and be yourself.

Dancer,1) technically you have no probls, i.e. 60% of the job is already done.2) I think with the word 'aggresive' they mean that they are concerned that you are not able to strongly defend your ideas in case of debate in hectic market conditions (remember when market gets crazy, traders usually are not so polite with people around them...)What would be your reaction to an aggressive trader shouting at you?You don't need to be aggressive in return, you just need to show strong personality to face him in the most professional way.That is exactly the same way you have to behave during interviews....Don't try to be different from what you are (they would understand it...), be yourself....just try to seem a little bit more steady and confident with yourself and strongly believing in your ideas, no matter what other people may say.Be carefull....I'm not saying "don't listen to other's point of you"...listen and, if they are at the opposite, don't be afraid to point it out, explaining why you think in a different way...If you are required to take a position, take it! Don't try to avoid to choose "black or white". Choose and explain why, in your opinion, that is the best choice.Wish you all the luck !

naomina77,Thanks, advise is much appreciated. THis has been my downfall before in interviews but I really want this one. Fingers crossed.

Don't worry, you will do great!You just need to show MD you know what you want and it is that role, in that bank, right now!Why should they offer the job to you? Because you are the best alternative for them in the market!Let me know how it will go, ok?Ciao

QuoteOriginally posted by: DancerWould really appreciate some advise......Have had 8 interviews with this Ibank and have 4more coming up with the higher echelons. Got a lot of very positive feedback from first couple of rounds but was told Im not aggressive enough (not the first time Ive gotten this as feedback from interviews). They said Im totally on the ball technically just dont come accross very assertive (aggressive???). How do I combat this? Im not a shy person but perhaps come accross too nicey nicey in interviews. Any advise on what I can say to top MD's without seeming overly cocky (or is that what they want??)Cheers!You should probably make it clear that you REALLY want the job. Not just that it looks quite interesting, or that you think you'd do OK, but that you are very driven in your pursuit of it.People like to hear that they are giving the job to someone who sounds quite comitted. It's not generally enough to say "Oh yes, I think this is definitely what I want".At the end of one of my graduate interviews (long time ago now), I felt I'd not really impressed the people. They were happy enough with my answers, but there was no feeling of having left an impression on them. When they asked for any more questions I said something like "I don't know if I've got this across, but I REALLY want this job. This is the only area I want to work in, and I am completely comitted to becoming a trader. I have liked the people I have dealt with, I like your firm, and I really believe that I can make a good contribution if you give me the opportunity."Perhaps I'd have achieved the offer even without this, but it did seem to help. I know it'd impress me, as I see too many peopel who just think a "glamorous" job on $70k starting salary sounds kind of neat.

Nice, I said the same thing at my job interview. There really is nothing else I want to do at this point. Looking forward to starting in July. Let us know how the interview goes!Also, some advice please: I have an offer to work in international investment banking (in another language setting) for several weeks before starting my trading gig. I have time off and need a job for this period anyways. Would this be helpful in your opinion? I was thinking it could potentially serve as a slight "edge", however small it may be. The other alternatives 1) travel (though short on liquid cash right now), 2) live with/visit parents and read/study/prep for the trading job, 3) stay at school and find a job (waiter, research, who knows) to pay for life until job starts.A huge criteria is what would be best in terms of preparation for trading, graduate trainee role.Thanks.

The best thing is to travel and maybe take a couple of days and do some studying before you start.

I was planning on traveling to where the job would be located, even if I was not working there (it is an emerging martkets investment banking position), but my main concern is burning out at a temp job before I start what I really care about - trading derivatives. However, there is also a training period for a couple of months before I start the "real" job. Would a deeper understanding of M&A, restructurings, the language in use, etc be worth the costs?

QuoteOriginally posted by: swapsterNice, I said the same thing at my job interview. There really is nothing else I want to do at this point. Looking forward to starting in July. Let us know how the interview goes!Also, some advice please: I have an offer to work in international investment banking (in another language setting) for several weeks before starting my trading gig. I have time off and need a job for this period anyways. Would this be helpful in your opinion? I was thinking it could potentially serve as a slight "edge", however small it may be. The other alternatives 1) travel (though short on liquid cash right now), 2) live with/visit parents and read/study/prep for the trading job, 3) stay at school and find a job (waiter, research, who knows) to pay for life until job starts.A huge criteria is what would be best in terms of preparation for trading, graduate trainee role.Thanks.It's always good to get a bit more experience, but you will be working quite hard from now on in, so I wouldn't feel guilty about taking a holiday. If you have a job arranged and agreed, you can probably afford to go a bit overdrawn to allow you to have a few weeks relaxation.

here is what I would do....1) First short period (1 week max) :visit parents I dont see since ages and relax as much as I can;2) Second: get the house were I'll be living and relocate there;3) Find a part time job (waiter or whatever contact-with-people kind of job) over there and start improving my language skills;Anyway, during all this, nothing prevents me from bringing with me some good books and dedicate 2-3 hours of my day studying and fully dedicate week ends to travel around new country (if you are short liquidity you may afford only small trip, but usefull enought to visit the new country); good luck

Signed sealed delivered.......got the job!! Cheers for the all the help people, its much appreciated.

FANTASTIC! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MANY MANY CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!When do you start? How was it? What did you say to MD finally ?Again......CONGRATULATIONS!~

Congrats! What product will yoiu be trading?

Its actually I-banking not trading - M&A. I just let the MD know what he'd miss out on by not hiring me. Really thrilled but guess Im gonna have to live it up for the next while before I become enveloped by the joys of life in corporate finance.Advice and well-wishes were much appreciated