Mock interview

Even the very best candidates can find interviews stressful. We want you to be as relaxed and prepared as possible at interview - that way we'll be better able to assess your potential. Here is a quick guide to the kind of things you can expect to be asked.

Remember, these are NOT the actual questions you will be asked, they are just intended to give you a flavor of areas that you should prepare.

Tell us about yourself

Here we're looking for the rationale behind your academic and career decisions so far.

Questions may include:

• Why did you choose your place of study?
• If you transferred college or course, why was this?
• What courses have you liked least and why?
• Talk me through your university thesis topic.
• What do you do in your spare time?
 

Banking

We look for people who have a keen interest in investment banking and a passion for success. What's your motivation?

Questions may include:

• Why do you want to work in investment banking?
• What do investment bankers do? 
• Which area of investment banking are you most interested in and why?
• Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
• What are the most important things to you in a job?

Nomura

Why have you chosen us? Are we top of your list or one among many?

Questions may include:

• Why have you chosen to apply to Nomura?
• What other banks are you interviewing with?
• What's the share price of Nomura today?
• What differentiates this firm from its competitors?

Skills

Sell yourself. Why should we hire you? What can you offer us?

Questions may include:

• What are your strengths? 
• What are your weaknesses?
• Why are you committed to work in investment banking?
• What is your greatest accomplishment?

Problems

How ready are you to handle the work we do? How much do you know about the world of finance?

Questions may include:

• If I gave you a million dollars today, how would you invest your money?
• Which business publications do you read and why?
• How would you deal with a difficult client that puts you under pressure?
• How would you manage an analyst who was underperforming? 
• If a client told you that he wanted to improve his portfolio performance in the next 12 months, what would you suggest as potential strategies?

Examples

Show us proof that you are the kind of graduate we're looking for. Give concrete examples from any aspect of your life that show where you have personally made a difference.

Questions may include:

• Tell me about a time when you were creative.
• Tell me about a time when you had to manage conflicting priorities.
• Tell me about when you've missed an important deadline.
• What has been your biggest failure, professional or personal - and what did you learn?
• Describe an occasion when you have had difficulties working in a team.
• What is the biggest risk you have ever taken?

This is your chance to find out more about Nomura, think about questions you may want to ask.