@munich I don't really follow what you mean on the second paragraph? Not an insult legitimately don't, are you saying they are bad or good filters?
The questions are pretty legit. You say in the second paragraph the top guys admit to not being stellar at math. This is true. Which is why I said if a guy thinks math is key to Wall Street he has never worked in the industry before and is likely spitting out bullshit.
Basically, I don't talk about topics I don't know. I apply this across everything in life, I don't give people advice on law for example because I don't know shit compared to a lawyer and would never comment on life as an attorney.
But for one reason or another everyone has an opinion on Wall Street life/comp but have never worked in it.
The most annoying one is the prestige whoring particularly from people who haven't worked in the space.
Anyone who has worked for a major bank knows that Goldman Sachs does NOT pay lower employees well on a compensation basis relative to the Street because you're there for future job prospects (lower level - not generating revenue).
Anyone who works in the industry would rather work for say DB M&A than go work for GS ECM since your exit opps to PE are better. (If you want to go the PE route)
We're getting in the weeds at this point though. I use those same 5 filters every time.
If you really want a single question to filter out the bullshitters just go with this one: "Why would a high performing Managing Director at a bulge bracket fail on a smaller platform?"
Most won't even know what you're talking about and it forces them to explain how the business runs.
For the buyside you can ask: "Can you explain the different strategies at a hedge fund and what skillsets would better position you for each one?
You'll get another flat one out of that.
The questions are pretty legit. You say in the second paragraph the top guys admit to not being stellar at math. This is true. Which is why I said if a guy thinks math is key to Wall Street he has never worked in the industry before and is likely spitting out bullshit.
Basically, I don't talk about topics I don't know. I apply this across everything in life, I don't give people advice on law for example because I don't know shit compared to a lawyer and would never comment on life as an attorney.
But for one reason or another everyone has an opinion on Wall Street life/comp but have never worked in it.
The most annoying one is the prestige whoring particularly from people who haven't worked in the space.
Anyone who has worked for a major bank knows that Goldman Sachs does NOT pay lower employees well on a compensation basis relative to the Street because you're there for future job prospects (lower level - not generating revenue).
Anyone who works in the industry would rather work for say DB M&A than go work for GS ECM since your exit opps to PE are better. (If you want to go the PE route)
We're getting in the weeds at this point though. I use those same 5 filters every time.
If you really want a single question to filter out the bullshitters just go with this one: "Why would a high performing Managing Director at a bulge bracket fail on a smaller platform?"
Most won't even know what you're talking about and it forces them to explain how the business runs.
For the buyside you can ask: "Can you explain the different strategies at a hedge fund and what skillsets would better position you for each one?
You'll get another flat one out of that.
