Having trouble viewing this email? Click here
Hi JKY - Patrick here from Wall Street Oasis, with your next tip for interviewing more effectively...

A few days ago we talked about the showing your skills through stories, and how giving extremely detailed examples was a key to leaving a great impression...

Today we're going to talk about curveball questions and prepare you for some of the most common brainteasers encountered in finance interviews.

First off, it's important to realize WHY the interviewer is asking you this type of question. There are many theories, but usually they fall into one of two categories:

1. They want to see how you react under pressure
2. They want to see how your thought process works and how confident you are

If you think about it, asking an unexpected question is a great way to get insight into your personality. Are you confident and assured but still wrong? Are you thoughtful but a bit more cautious and unsure?

The first thing you should do when given a curveball question is to stop and think. If you blurt out an answer with minimal thought, it just shows a lack of confidence because you are not comfortable with silence. Even if you're correct, rushing to the answer can hurt you.

Better to say, "Can you give me a moment to gather my thoughts?" and then take ~10-15 seconds. Then, if needed, ask follow up questions or start explaining your rationale. Here is an example:

How many degrees are there between a clock's two hands when the clock reads 3:15?

STOP! It sounds easy, right?? The fact that is sounds easy should set off alarm bells in your head. Here's an example of how you could think out loud to allow them to follow your (hopefully) logical thought process.

"Well, the quick thought would be 0 degrees, but that is likely wrong since it's too obvious. If the clock is 360 degrees, the minute hand will be exactly at the 90 degree mark. The hour hand will be ¼ of the way between the 3 and the 4. Since there are 12 numbers the 3 and the 4 are 30 degrees apart, making the hour hand 7.5 degrees beyond the 3, and 7.5 degrees from the minute hand."

If you can think out loud, that is often the best way to work through these problems. Here is another common one below:

What's 17 squared? What's 18x22?

Again, stop and breathe...this one sounds a lot harder than it actually is. For "tough math" questions, it's all about breaking the questions down into smaller, easier parts. Think 17x10 plus 17x7. Break 17x7 down into 10x7 and 7x7. This gives you 170+70+49, which gives you 289.

Whatever you do, don't panic and practice these types of quetions. Even if you get one of these questions wrong, you can still have a successful interview. Same idea applies to 18x22, break it down. Do 18x20 + 18x2. Easy, 360 + 36=396.

Here's our final common brainteaser for the day:

Two boats are going towards each other at 10 miles per hour. They are 5 miles apart. How long until they hit?

Again, be careful here. The initial instinct is to say half an hour. However, both boats are moving at 10 miles per hour, so they are converging at 20 miles per hour, meaning they will crash in ¼ of an hour, or 15 minutes.

That's it for now. But keep an eye out... because in a few days, we'll be revealing our secret weapons to help you continue your journey to interview mastery.

Stay Strong!
Patrick Curtis
Chief Monkey & Founder, WallStreetOasis.com

P.S. If you want to jump ahead and accelerate your progress, then check this out.
Company Logo