What do you do if you're asked "What interests you about our firm?

Cultura organizacional: A cultura de uma empresa desempenha um papel significativo no ambiente de trabalho e no engajamento dos funcionários. Investigar a cultura da empresa, como seu estilo de liderança, colaboração entre equipes, oportunidades de crescimento e desenvolvimento, pode ser um fator importante para despertar interesse.

Often times this question is more about the specific group you're interviewing with than the firm overall. Looking at that group, what do you like about were they sit in the market? Are they bulge bracket, middle market, etc.? What kind of clients do they work with? What kind of deals do they do? What shown experience or knowledge do you have about that vertical? What city are they in and why do you want to live there? You can answer all these questions and position your skills and interests in line with where that group sits.

When asked “What interests you about our firm?” focus on: Your research about the company’s mission, values, and achievements. Personal alignment with the company’s culture and goals. Specific contributions you can make based on your skills and experience. Example: “I admire [Company Name]'s innovation in [industry] and its commitment to [value]. My experience in [related field] has equipped me to contribute to [company project/goal], aligning with my career aspirations.”

Research the Company: Start by thoroughly researching the company's history, culture, values, products/services, recent achievements, and future goals. This will help you understand what sets them apart and what might appeal to you

Missão e valores: Compreender a missão e os valores de uma empresa é importante. Isso inclui a compreensão do propósito da empresa e se seus valores estão alinhados com os meus próprios princípios e crenças.

Aligning with a firm's core values and culture is essential in investment banking. Firms often emphasize elements like collaboration, client service, or entrepreneurial spirit. By expressing genuine admiration for these values and showing how you envision thriving within that culture, you demonstrate a fit that transcends technical skills. This foresight can significantly enhance your appeal as a candidate. Great article on the importance of cultural alignment

Oportunidades de aprendizado e crescimento: É fundamental para muitas pessoas terem oportunidades contínuas de aprendizado e crescimento em suas carreiras. Explorar os programas de treinamento e desenvolvimento oferecidos pela empresa, bem como suas políticas de promoção interna, pode ser um fator de interesse.

I would have spoken to friends or friends' friends or colleagues who used to work at the firm etc., to have a good grasp of their work experience and the culture of the firm. I would have also asked them questions about how the firm is unique/special compared to its industry peers. These would give me plenty to talk about and expand to relate to personal experiences and preferences when being asked this question.

With banking, you should have already had coffee chats with several members of the firm. With that in mind, use what you've learned in those conversations and weave it into your why firm x response. It will show you've done your homework by speaking with the firm's professionals about their experiences and you've thought about what those experiences mean to you. This is huge.

- Reputação e sucesso da empresa no mercado - Cultura e valores promovidos pela empresa - Oportunidades de aprendizado e crescimento - Contribuição com habilidades e experiências - Trabalhar com pessoas talentosas e complementares - Colaborar em projetos desafiadores e impactantes - Possibilidade de contribuir para o sucesso contínuo da empresa

This is where networking prior to the interview can really pay dividends and dramatically boost your odds of landing an offer. If you can pull examples from 2-3 individuals that you spoke with one on one about the firm, not only are you name dropping land helping frame your status as someone on the inside, but you're also showing them that you've made a real effort and you understand how the group operates.

Start by being genuine. Hopefully you have already done research on the firm you are interviewing with. What do they do differently that you are truly after? Listen to how the interviewers describe the firm. If you feel you are aligned, then express it. It always helps if you know anyone who has worked at the firm who can provide an insider’s view of working there.

I’d say, numerous things to say the least. I’d ask which, again, thought leadership domains does the firm excel in, how can one contribute to the aforementioned, and can my past copywriting exercises contribute to the expanding knowledge base and presence of the firm. I’d ask which industries does the firm focus on, why, and how do the respective competencies overlap and support one another in understanding, researching, and deal generating the whole process. In other words, how do the parts contribute to the sum of aforementioned being bigger, i.e. producing potential synergies. Finally, I’d ask where does the firm see, well, itself in the medium to long run “track,” and how an entry level analyst can contribute to that vision.