1.How would you describe yourself?Sampleexcellent response:Mybackgroundtodate has beencenteredaroundpreparingmyselftobecometheverybestfinancial consultant I can become.Letmetell you specificallyhow I've prepared myself.I am an undergraduate student infinanceand accounting atUniversity.Mypastexperiences has been in retail and higher education. Bothaspectshavepreparedmewellforthiscareer.2. What specific goals,including those related to youroccupation,haveyou establishedforyour life?Sample excellent response:I want to be working for anexcellent company likeyours in ajob in whichIammanaginginformation.Iplan to contribute my leadership, interpersonal,and technical skills. My long-range career goal is to be thebestinformationsystemstechnicianI canforthecompanylwork for.3. How has your college experience prepared you for abusinesscareer?Sample excellent response: I have prepared myself totransition into the thework force through real-worldexperienceinvolvingtravel abroad,internship,andentrepreneurial opportunities. While interning with a privateorganization inEcuador,I developed a 15-page marketingplancomposedinSpanishthatrecommendedmoreeffectiveways the company could promote its services. Ialso traveledabroad ontwootheroccasionsinwhichIresearchedtheindigenous culture of the Mayan Indians in Todos Santos,Guatemala, and participate din a total language immersionprogram inCostaRica.Asyoucansee frommyacademic,extracurricular,andexperientialbackground,I haveunconditionally committed myself to success as a marketingprofessional
1. How would you describe yourself? Sample excellent response: My background to date has been centered around preparing myself to become the very best financial consultant I can become. Let me tell you specifically how I’ve prepared myself. I am an undergraduate student in finance and accounting at_University. My past experiences has been in retail and higher education. Both aspects have prepared me well for this career. 2. What specific goals, including those related to your occupation, have you established for your life? Sample excellent response: I want to be working for an excellent company like yours in a job in which I am managing information. I plan to contribute my leadership, interpersonal, and technical skills. My long-range career goal is to be the best information systems technician I can for the company I work for. 3. How has your college experience prepared you for a business career? Sample excellent response: I have prepared myself to transition into the the work force through real-world experience involving travel abroad, internship, and entrepreneurial opportunities. While interning with a private organization inEcuador, I developed a 15-page marketing plan composed in Spanish that recommended more effective ways the company could promote its services. I also traveled abroad on two other occasions in which I researched the indigenous culture of the Mayan Indians in Todos Santos, Guatemala, and participate din a total language immersion program in Costa Rica. As you can see from my academic, extracurricular, and experiential background, I have unconditionally committed myself to success as a marketing professional
4.Please describe the idealjob foryou followinggraduation.Sample excellent response (equates ideal job withjob he'sinterviewingfor):My ideal job is onethatincorporates bothmy educationand practical work skills tobethebest I canbe.Namely combiningmy education in finance with my workingknowledge of customer serviceoperations,entrepreneurialabilities,computer skills, and administrative skills.I want toutilize my analytical expertise to help people meet theirfinancial goals. This is exactly why I am convinced thatIwould bea very valuablemember of theMerrill Lynchteam.5. What influenced you to choose this career?Sample excellent response:My past experiences haveshown me that I enjoy facing and overcoming the challengeof making a sale. Without a doubt, once I have practiced mypresentation and prepared myself for objections,I feel veryconfident approaching people I don't know and convincingthem that they need my product.Lastly,I like sales becausemypotentialforsuccessislimitedonlybyhowmuchofmyself I dedicate toward my goal. If any profession isfounded on self-determinism, it surely must be sales.6.At what pointdid youchoosethis career?Sample excellentresponse:Iknewthat I wanted to pursueinformationsystemstechnologyaboutmysophomoreyearincollege.It was then that I realized that my that my hobby(computers) was taking up most of my time. My favoritecourses were IT courses.I also realized thatI was doingcomputer-oriented work-study thatIenjoyed so much wouldhavedoneitforfree7.What specificgoalshaveyouestablishedforyourcareer?Sample excellent response:My goals include becoming aCertified Financial Advisor so I can obtain a better workingknowledge offinancialresearchanalysis,whichwouldallowme contribute to my client base as a better financial
4. Please describe the ideal job for you following graduation. Sample excellent response (equates ideal job with job he’s interviewing for): My ideal job is one that incorporates both my education and practical work skills to be the best I can be. Namely combining my education in finance with my working knowledge of customer service operations, entrepreneurial abilities, computer skills, and administrative skills. I want to utilize my analytical expertise to help people meet their financial goals. This is exactly why I am convinced that I would be a very valuable member of the Merrill Lynch team. 5. What influenced you to choose this career? Sample excellent response: My past experiences have shown me that I enjoy facing and overcoming the challenge of making a sale. Without a doubt, once I have practiced my presentation and prepared myself for objections, I feel very confident approaching people I don’t know and convincing them that they need my product. Lastly, I like sales because my potential for success is limited only by how much of myself I dedicate toward my goal. If any profession is founded on self-determinism, it surely must be sales. 6. At what point did you choose this career? Sample excellent response: I knew that I wanted to pursue information systems technology about my sophomore year in college. It was then that I realized that my that my hobby (computers) was taking up most of my time. My favorite courses were IT courses. I also realized that I was doing computer-oriented work-study that I enjoyed so much I would have done it for free. 7. What specific goals have you established for your career? Sample excellent response: My goals include becoming a Certified Financial Advisor so I can obtain a better working knowledge of financial research analysis, which would allow me contribute to my client base as a better financial
consultant since I would have that extra insight into thecompanies they are seeking to invest in.Also this is thefoundation blocktoadvancingmy careertoportfoliomanagerorevenbranchofficemanager.8. What will it take to attain your goals, and what steps haveyoutakentowardattainingthem?Sampleexcellentresponse:I'vealreadydonesomeresearchonotherworkers atMerrill Lynchtoseehowtheyachievedsimilar goals.I know that Merrill Lynch encourages thepursuit and will reimburse for tuition of a graduate degree.IplanonpursuingaMBAtogivemeanevenmoreextensiveknowledgeofbusinessandfinancialanalysis9. What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?Sampleexcellentresponse:Ibelievesuccessful salespeopleput forth that extra effort that turns potential clients intofirst-time customers. Salespeople who attend to the detailsby doingwhatever it takesto win overaprospectivecustomer distinguish themselves from the countless otherswho don't go to any extra effort. Second, I think that if youlabel success as an attainable goal, you will neverconsistentlyremain successful.Youcanonlysucceedifyoulearnall thereis to learn aboutyourproduct,yourcompetitorsand personal selling. Since this learning process iscontinuous, it's an unattainable goal. With good reason,salespeople should not consider success an attainableending point but an objective that will always linger slightlybeyondtheirreach.10.How do youdetermine or evaluate success?Give me anexampleofoneofyoursuccessfulaccomplishments.Sampleexcellentresponse:Last semester I was hired by by university's Council forStudent Activities. The group negotiates contracts ofentertainers, sets up sound equipment,markets theentertainers to students, and generally decides what kind of
consultant since I would have that extra insight into the companies they are seeking to invest in. Also this is the foundation block to advancing my career to portfolio manager or even branch office manager. 8. What will it take to attain your goals, and what steps have you taken toward attaining them? Sample excellent response: I’ve already done some research on other workers at Merrill Lynch to see how they achieved similar goals. I know that Merrill Lynch encourages the pursuit and will reimburse for tuition of a graduate degree. I plan on pursuing a MBA to give me an even more extensive knowledge of business and financial analysis. 9. What do you think it takes to be successful in this career? Sample excellent response: I believe successful salespeople put forth that extra effort that turns potential clients into first-time customers. Salespeople who attend to the details by doing whatever it takes to win over a prospective customer distinguish themselves from the countless others who don’t go to any extra effort. Second, I think that if you label success as an attainable goal, you will never consistently remain successful. You can only succeed if you learn all there is to learn about your product, your competitors, and personal selling. Since this learning process is continuous, it’s an unattainable goal. With good reason, salespeople should not consider success an attainable ending point but an objective that will always linger slightly beyond their reach. 10. How do you determine or evaluate success? Give me an example of one of your successful accomplishments. Sample excellent response: Last semester I was hired by by university’s Council for Student Activities. The group negotiates contracts of entertainers, sets up sound equipment, markets the entertainers to students, and generally decides what kind of
programming should be done. When I got hired, I didn't knowthe first thing about how fill any of those responsibilities. Idecided, however,thatI wasn't going to fail.Four monthslater, I have become the Webmaster for the group.I alsowrite our campus newsletter and created Game Night, astudent competition of table games. That event yielded thebiggest audienceeverfor a non-concertevent.11.Do you havethequalificationsand personalcharacteristicsnecessaryforsuccess inyourchosen career?Sampleexcellent response:IbelieveIhavea combination ofqualities to be successful in this career. First, I have a stronginterest.backed bya solid.well-rounded,state-of-the-arteducation, especially in a career that is technically oriented.This basic ingredient, backed by love of learning,problem-solvingskills,well-roundedinterests,determinationto succeed and excel, strong communication skills, and theability to work hard, are the most important qualities that willhelp me succeed in this career.To succeed, you also need anatural curiosity about how systems work the kind ofcuriosityIdemonstratedwhenIupgradedmytwocomputersrecently. Technology is constantly changing, so you must afast learner just to keep up or you will be overwhelmed. All ofthese traits combine to create a solid team member in theever-changing field of information systems. I am convincedthatI possess these characteristics and am ready to be asuccessfulteammemberforyourfirm.12.Whathas beenyourmost rewardingaccomplishment?Sampleexcellentresponse:ArecentsatisfyingaccomplishmentIwassenttooneofourbranchbanksthatwas notorious for not growing their loan base.The branchhadlogged$75,000innewloans inan18-monthperiodpriorto my arrival. Having a reputation as a “hired gun"when itcametoloanproductionIwas successful inthesolicitationand booking of $700,00o in my first six months at the branch
programming should be done. When I got hired, I didn’t know the first thing about how fill any of those responsibilities. I decided, however, that I wasn’t going to fail. Four months later, I have become the Webmaster for the group. I also write our campus newsletter and created Game Night, a student competition of table games. That event yielded the biggest audience ever for a non-concert event. 11. Do you have the qualifications and personal characteristics necessary for success in your chosen career? Sample excellent response: I believe I have a combination of qualities to be successful in this career. First, I have a strong interest, backed by a solid, well-rounded, state-of-the-art education, especially in a career that is technically oriented. This basic ingredient, backed by love of learning, problem-solving skills, well-rounded interests, determination to succeed and excel, strong communication skills, and the ability to work hard, are the most important qualities that will help me succeed in this career. To succeed, you also need a natural curiosity about how systems work — the kind of curiosity I demonstrated when I upgraded my two computers recently. Technology is constantly changing, so you must a fast learner just to keep up or you will be overwhelmed. All of these traits combine to create a solid team member in the ever-changing field of information systems. I am convinced that I possess these characteristics and am ready to be a successful team member for your firm. 12. What has been your most rewarding accomplishment? Sample excellent response: A recent satisfying accomplishment I was sent to one of our branch banks that was notorious for not growing their loan base. The branch had logged $75,000 in new loans in an 18-month period prior to my arrival. Having a reputation as a “hired gun” when it came to loan production I was successful in the solicitation and booking of $700,000 in my first six months at the branch
13.Ifyoucould do so,how wouldyou planyour collegecareerdifferently?Sample excellent response:I wouldn't change anything.Allthat I have done was a great learning experience that I willcarryforward throughoutthe rest of my life.14. Are you more energized by working with data or bycollaboratingwithotherindividuals?Sample excellent response:I like the validity of informationand also likethe energythatcomes withworkingwithpeople.The best thing about working in a group is combining thegreat minds from different perspectives and coming up withsomething extremely great, compared with when you'reworking alone. At the same time, information can generatevitality intheproject you're working on.No matterhow manyheads you've got together, without information, you can't govery far. The perfect situation would be a combination ofworking with information and people, and I'm confident of myabilities in bothareas.?[Submitted by"Stacey"]15.Howwould youdescribeyourself interms of yourabilitytoworkasamemberofateam?Sampleexcellent response:Ihavehadmanyopportunities inboth athletics and academicstodevelop my skills as a teamplayer.Mytenure as a rower with my college's crewteamserves as a good example.I learned a great deal aboutteamwork while rowing because all the rowers in the boatmust act as one, which meant that we incessantly worked tokeep each movement in the boat synchronized. On anindividual basis, we still worked toward group goals throughweightlifting and land-rowing.My experience as a marketingresearchteam leader also helped me to learn the role of“"team player."I viewed my position as that of group leaderand of group member. I ensured that everyone in the grouphad equal opportunity to contribute, maintained excellent
13. If you could do so, how would you plan your college career differently? Sample excellent response: I wouldn’t change anything. All that I have done was a great learning experience that I will carry forward throughout the rest of my life. 14. Are you more energized by working with data or by collaborating with other individuals? Sample excellent response: I like the validity of information and also like the energy that comes with working with people. The best thing about working in a group is combining the great minds from different perspectives and coming up with something extremely great, compared with when you’re working alone. At the same time, information can generate vitality in the project you’re working on. No matter how many heads you’ve got together, without information, you can’t go very far. The perfect situation would be a combination of working with information and people, and I’m confident of my abilities in both areas.? [Submitted by "Stacey"] 15. How would you describe yourself in terms of your ability to work as a member of a team? Sample excellent response: I have had many opportunities in both athletics and academics to develop my skills as a team player. My tenure as a rower with my college’s crew team serves as a good example. I learned a great deal about teamwork while rowing because all the rowers in the boat must act as one, which meant that we incessantly worked to keep each movement in the boat synchronized. On an individual basis, we still worked toward group goals through weightlifting and land-rowing. My experience as a marketing research team leader also helped me to learn the role of “team player.” I viewed my position as that of group leader and of group member. I ensured that everyone in the group had equal opportunity to contribute, maintained excellent