Equity Research Associate Writing and Modelling Assignment
I recently interviewed for an Equity Research Associate position with a leading Canadian bank, and if all goes well, this would be my first job after graduation. They’ve now invited me to complete a 2-hour Writing and Modelling assignment focused on diversified financials.
Since I haven’t tackled anything like this before, I’d really appreciate any advice to help me perform at my best. What should I expect, and how can I prepare effectively?
Thank you for your help!
One response
Congratulations on getting the interview and the opportunity to complete the Writing and Modelling assignment! Here are some tips to help you prepare and perform your best:
Understand the Assignment Format: Familiarize yourself with what the writing and modelling tasks typically involve. For the writing part, you may need to produce a brief report or analysis based on given data or a scenario. The modeling portion may require you to work on a financial model, which could involve forecasting, valuation, or sensitivity analysis.
Review Key Concepts: Brush up on relevant financial concepts related to diversified financials, such as key performance indicators (KPIs), valuation techniques (DCF, comparables, precedent transactions), and general market trends in the sector.
Practice Financial Modelling: If you’re not already comfortable with using Excel for financial modeling, practice creating simple models. Focus on building projections and how changes in assumptions affect financial outcomes.
Be Familiar with Financial Statements: Make sure you can read and interpret balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements quickly and accurately. Understanding how they interconnect is crucial for any financial analysis.
Work on Your Writing Skills: Be concise and clear. Practice summarizing financial analyses or equity research reports to get an idea of how to structure your writing. Focus on making strong recommendations based on your analysis, as this could be part of what they’re looking for.
Time Management: During the assignment, keep track of time. Allocate specific amounts of time for each part of the assignment to ensure you can complete it all.
Prepare for Questions: Be ready to explain your thought process, assumptions, and conclusions. The interviewers may want to understand how you arrived at your answers.
Research the Company and Sector: Familiarize yourself with the bank and its position in the diversified financial sector. Knowing their major clients, competitors, and recent news can provide valuable context for your assignments.
Ask Questions: If you encounter something in the assignment that isn’t clear, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. This shows that you are detail-oriented and willing to ensure you understand the task fully.
Stay Calm and Confident: Lastly, remain composed during the assignment. Trust in your preparation and know that they’re interested in your analytical thinking and writing abilities, not perfection.
Good luck! You’ll do great!