Application Process
Application Process
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The application, interview and assessment process varies somewhat between different lines of business
at JPMorgan. The specific interview questions and information contained herein is based around
investment banking and other front office roles.
The application process consists of:
Online application form
Online numerical/verbal reasoning test
The assessment process consists of:
Competency based interview
Technical interview and numerical reasoning test (paper based)
Assessment day
Online Numerical & Verbal Tests
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The numerical test consists of 20 questions in 22 minutes. Most questions require the interpretation of
charts and tables. The test is designed by SHL.
JPMorgan provides some comprehensive examples of the online numerical and verbal tests here.
Most people will need to practise the numerical reasoning test to pass it. Pages 7-23 of this book may
prove extremely useful in preparing for any of the numerical tests.
Competency Interview
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The first interview is primarily designed to assess your motivation for joining JPMorgan, and is taken
by a member of HR. The interview will be split to ascertain the following:
Your motivation, reasons and commitment for a career in investment banking and finance
Your motivation, reasons, and commitment for a career at JP Morgan
Competency based questions
Commercial awareness
You will be required to discuss and draw upon your experiences at university to provide examples to
back up your motivations and competency for working at JPMorgan.
Interview questions you are reasonably likely to be asked include:
Why are you interested in finance?
Why JPMorgan?
What do you know about JPMorgan?
Why investment banking/the line of business to which you have applied?
Why did you pick your university?
Why did you pick your university course?
What motivates you?
What three things would your friends say about you?
What do you think you will be doing in your first year/internship at JPMorgan?
Tell me about your academic and social life.
Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team. (Competency)
Tell me about a financial story/non financial story that had taken your interest at the moment.
(Commercial Awareness)
What are your three main strengths?
You will also be given the opportunity to ask questions yourself.
On a single day, JP Morgan may interview 150 candidates, and your interviewer will have
carried out identical interviews hour after hour. Make a pleasant, personable impression and go
out of your way to please the interviewer such that they enjoy interviewing you, and you will
likely get them on your side. Of course, this isn't always possible. If there is no chemistry with
the interviewer, or the interviewer looks bored, stressed or tired, give them the answers they need
in as efficient manner as possible, so that the interview is made effortless for them.
You will do well to prepare responses for the questions listed above, however, never repeat
responses parrot-style during an interview.
Technical Interview
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The technical interview is likely to be more challenging than the first. The purpose of this interview is
to test your technical ability and abilities to think on your feet. They will also be attempting to assess
your ability to work under pressure.
Questions you are reasonably likely to be asked include:
Why JPMorgan?
Why investment banking?
What do you know about finance?
What do you know about investment banking?
What's 17 x 18?
Are you planning to do MBA?
What is share capital?
What is IPO?
What are your future plans?
You will also be likely to have to:
Solve a riddle
Draw some graphs
Do percentages and arithmetic mentally
The most important thing to do in this interview is keep your cool. They will be trying to find
your breaking point. Do not panic and become flustered, this is the response that they are trying
to achieve. Take your time when solving problems, and do not be afraid to speak your reasoning
out loud.