ER Associate Writing & Modeling Assignment
I recently interviewed with a leading Canadian bank for an Equity Research Associate position, which would be my first job after graduation if all goes well. I’ve now been invited to complete a two-hour Writing and Modeling assignment with them.
This is my first time tackling such an assignment, and the sector I’ll be focusing on is diversified financials. Do you have any tips or advice to help me excel? What can I expect during this process?
I appreciate any insights you can share! Thank you!
One response
Congratulations on getting the interview and the opportunity to complete the writing and modeling assignment! Here are some tips to help you maximize your chances of success:
Preparation
Understand the Sector: Since your coverage is on diversified financials, familiarize yourself with key concepts related to banks, asset management, and insurance. Know the major players, recent trends, and economic factors affecting the industry.
Review Financial Statements: Make sure you understand how to read and analyze financial statements. Be comfortable with income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, especially for companies in the financial sector.
Practice Financial Modeling: If you haven’t done financial modeling before, find resources or online courses that can help you build basic models. Focus on forecasting financial statements and understanding key metrics (like ROE, ROA, Net Interest Margin, etc.).
Write Concisely and Clearly: For the writing portion, practice summarizing findings or analyses concisely. Be prepared to express your insights on a company or the sector in a clear, structured manner.
During the Assignment
Time Management: You’ll have two hours, so allocate your time wisely between writing and modeling. Make sure you leave time at the end to review your work.
Use Clear Formatting: When presenting your model or analysis, use clear headers, consistent fonts, and appropriate spacing. This will make it easier for reviewers to follow your thought process.
Make Assumptions Transparent: If you have to make any assumptions in your model, clearly state them. This shows that you understand the limitations of your analysis and are thinking critically.
Incorporate Key Metrics: If you’re modeling a company, be sure to include key performance indicators relevant to diversified financials. Highlight trends that impact the financial stability and performance of these companies.
Clarify Your Thought Process: In the writing portion, don’t just present data—interpret it. Explain why it matters, and how it fits into the larger economic picture or impacts the specific companies you are analyzing.
Post-Assignment
Review Your Work: If you have time, double-check your calculations and ensure your writing is free of grammatical errors.
Be Prepared to Discuss: Be ready to discuss your assignment in detail, including the choices you made in your model and analysis.
Final Thought
Stay calm and confident. This assignment is an opportunity for you to showcase your analytical and writing skills. Good luck, and I hope it leads to your first job in the industry!