How to Prepare for Your Financial Modeling Interview

So you got the call to come in for the interview.  Now is the hard part – getting prepared.  Preparing for your interview is an important step toward getting your next financial modeling job so you will want to do it right.

First, you want to do as much research as you can about the company you will be interviewing with.  Knowing facts about the company you are interested in as well as understanding their products or services will make your interview go much smoother.  Make sure you prepare a question about the company that shows you know something about them. That way you show your knowledge and have a good question to ask during the interview.

Next you want to make sure that you are prepared personally for the interview.  That means you want to sharpen your interviewing skills, especially if it has been a while since your last interview.  You can do this by practicing answering questions in the mirror or with friends.  Another good way is to record yourself answering and speaking.  This way you can see your body language, hear if you say “um” or “ya know” too many times, and check the speed of your answers.

Lastly, ensure you have a professional suit or outfit ready for the interview.  Making sure that you look professional and put together is just as important as how you speak.  This does not mean you have to spend a lot of money on a new suit, it simply means that your suit should be clean, pressed, well-matched, and your shoes shined and in good shape.  The first impression needs to be the best impression.

It does not take a lot of time and money to prepare for your interview, but the time you invest could be very important. If you prepare properly and thoroughly for your job interview, you may find yourself well on your way to your next financial modeling job.