ac8706 wrote:
From reading other threads in the forum, it seems that no matter what you recruit for, a base level of industry knowledge (both by funtional area as well as specialty) is needed.
Meh. Consulting? No real industry knowledge needed; you just gotta be able to crack the case.
General Mgmt? Not so much in my experience. These interviews are about fit. I got an offer in an industry I know NOTHING about. I spent 30 minutes online before the interview, and that was that.
I-banking? Brand Mgt? OH MY GOD YES!
Here is a question from finance that I got: The yield curve is inverted. Tell me why that is happening.
Here is a common brand question: Tell me about a product that is well branded. Why? What could be better? (And don't think you can make that up - there is a correct framework for these.)
I'd say there are three tiers:
1. Do you fit? Tell me about what matters to you and how you respond in certain situations.
2. Tell me something about my company to show me that you care at least a little bit, and if we like you, that'll do it.
3. What's our stock price? Our competitors? How does X work? What would you do to make it better?
I think 2 is most common, and is probably the a safe minimum level of prep. 3 is the safest level of prep, but in my target jobs, it has not been necessary. Perhaps with more competitive roles, the norm moves closer to 3.