Ok, Let me start off by saying this was by far the most intense interview process that I've been through. I spent days studying, compiling the interview questions on Glassdoor and really practicing them. The process started as follows:
1. Apply Online
2. Numerical Test
3. Video Interview
4. Interview with Team leads (1 from sales, 1 from analytics)
5. Interview with Analytics manager & Head of Sales
Video interview:
The video interview was definitely a new experience for me. It was intimidating given that you are given 30 seconds to prepare for the question, and 90 seconds to answer. There is only one shot.
1. Practice question
2. What motivated you to make an application to Analytics & Sales?
3. Please explain your understanding of what your day-to-day role would be like working in the analytics department.
4. At Bloomberg, our core product is the Bloomberg Terminal. Please talk me through some of the additional financial products and services we offer our clients.
5. Being interested in the financial markets is critical to the Analytics and Sales role. Please talk me through how one of the following news stories has impacted the financial markets in the past year: 1. The UK referendum on exiting the European Union 2. China's impact on global growth and the implications for developed markets. 3. Recent changes to US Federal Reserve monetary policy.
6. What attracts you to working in a client facing role and what do you believe would make you successful ?
7. Imagine you are due to meet a prospective client for the first time. How will you make sure the meeting will be a success? What will be your approach before, during, and after the meeting?
Interview with team leads:
This interview which from what I have read from reviews on Glassdoor, is the most difficult. However, in my case this was the most laid back. They had read my CV and were interested in getting to know me.
1. Walk me through your CV and give me the main take-away from each position
2. What have you been doing in the past year?
3. Why Bloomberg?
4. Why London?
5. Why Sales & Analytics?
6. How well do you understand how we make money?
7. What do you think you will be doing in Sales & Analytics?
8. What would you do to stand out in program?
9. Although you will be receiving financial training, its training about the financial markets and how it relates to the terminal as you will be helping customers use the terminal. We don't actually work in the financial markets. Does this still interest you?
10. How do deal with a client who wants a discount or will cut terminals to achieve discount. They are also cutting competitors.
11. What type of customer or prospect would you target to subscribe to BB services, given that we are pretty much saturated in banks, asset management firms, etc.
12. What have you been following in the markets. Please explain what you have been following and how this affects Bloomberg and it's clients.
Interview with Analytics manager & Head of Sales:
I am trying to remain impartial while writing this part, but this was by far the worst part of the interview process for me. One of the interviewers had no interest in getting to know me. The other interviewer from analytics, backed up and said she wanted to get to know me and asked me where I was from etc. The sales interviewer was rude, aggressive and showed no interest from the very beginning. Ultimately in this interview there was a role play to sell an item, which I completely bombed, however this is a training program and no previous experience is sales or finance is required.
1. Why Sales? Why Bloomberg?
2. Your answers are generic, tell me why?
3. Let's back up, tell me where you're from and walk me through your CV.
4. If you had to choose main selling point of Bloomberg terminal, what would it be and why?
5. Again what you said is pretty generic.
6. Sell me something that you like. my case a computer. They will give you a scenario. Role play begins now.
From this interview, I felt like I had obviously completely bombed it, starting off on the wrong foot with the sales interviewer and then failing the sales roll play. HOWEVER, I received an e-mail from HR saying that they were trying to contact me regarding my interview. From what I have read, Bloomberg calls you to talk to you about your offer before sending via e-mail. In my case, I received a phone call from HR, asking me how I thought I did in the interview, and then telling me the managers had decided that I would not be selected for this position. THIS by far was the worst. I would have much rather received a rejection e-mail. But to call and tell me that, was a slap in the face. It really changed my perspective (The whole experience.) I felt that I crossed 3 deserts and 5 seas through this whole process, the amount of time invested to work for a "glorified call center." I am trying not to be bitter, but this is just the reality.