As we’ve discussed at length, each firm has its own unique process for interviewing applicants to determine if they’re the right fit for the firm. At Goldman Sachs, potential hires are asked to come in 97 times before a decision can be made; often they’re asked out of the box questions like “If you were shrunk to the size of a pencil and put in a blender, how would you get out?” and those applying for senior roles can typically expect to get down on all fours at some point. What does one have to look forward to should he/she attempt to gain employment at Houlihan Lokey and make it to the final round? A 3-part process called “Super Saturday,” which actually takes all weekend.

Part 1: Friday night involves a dinner “to see how the candidates interact in a social environment with alcohol.”

Part 2: Over bagels and lox the next day, applicants are asked questions like, “Which historical ruler presided over the largest span of the earth by area?” “Who is the all-time Major League RBI single-season leader?” and “What rock album holds the record for longest consecutive time in the top 100 bestselling list?”

Part 3: You go on a date with CEO Jeffrey Werbalowsky.

On his “dates,” Werbalowsky prefers to ask applicants out-of-the-box questions that reveal what type of thinkers they are. For example: “You’re the emperor of the world. Congratulations. Explain your new world order.” Or: “Someone comes to you with a cold fusion reactor which basically creates energy out of tap water. Give me your business and marketing plans for this invention and any other thoughts you have on how to proceed.”

“We’re trying to find the perfect candidate who has interpersonal and financial skills,” Werbalowsky said. “Someone who we would like to work with and someone who would be successful.”

Impress Webalowsky and you’ll get a call back. Blow it and he’ll probably mysteriously lose your number.

Speed Dating With Houlihan Lokey [FINS]

Comments (37)

  1. Posted by Anonymous | January 31, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    If you were shrunk into a whiteboard marker, how would you get in?

  2. Posted by Anonymous | January 31, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    I understand the importance of hiring good people and all that, but how successful can a company be if they have time to do all this ?

  3. Posted by CoveredLong | January 31, 2011 at 10:33 PM

    “Werbalowsky prefers to ask applicants out-of-the-box questions that reveal what type of thinkers they are. For example: “You’re the emperor of the world. Congratulations. Explain your new world order.” Or: “Someone comes to you with a cold fusion reactor which basically creates energy out of tap water. Give me your business and marketing plans for this invention and any other thoughts you have on how to proceed.””

    …hmm, interesting. I guess I’d have to respond to your ‘question’ with a question, which would be: what is your fucking question?

    -Someone not surprised this crap comes from LA (no offense of course)

  4. Posted by Jock Strap | January 31, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    All just to be an investment banker? You gotta be fucking kiddin me.

  5. Posted by Supraman | January 31, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    Alcohol on Friday night and then lox and bagels the next day? I wonder what their target group is.

  6. Posted by trojan | January 31, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    In L.A. we wearin Chucks not Ballies

  7. Posted by Captain Ned | January 31, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    Part 2:

    Kublai Khan
    Hack Wilson
    “Dark Side of the Moon”

  8. Posted by Hokey Pokey | January 31, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    People that have financial skills and are personable would probably be working at a real investment bank or fund, not at Hooligan Hokey.

  9. Posted by Nouveau Richie | January 31, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    Soo… If Jeff buys you the most expensive thing on the menu, are you expected to put out? I mean it is a “date” right?

  10. Posted by Anonymous | January 31, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    The Catalina Wine Mixer has the same interview questions.

    -Boats and Ho’s

  11. Posted by Nouveau Richie | January 31, 2011 at 11:06 PM

    Actually, the third one is Limp Bizkit’s “Chocolate Starfish and the Hotdog Flavored Water.” Close though.

  12. Posted by Nouveau Richie | January 31, 2011 at 11:06 PM

    Actually, the third one is Limp Bizkit’s “Chocolate Starfish and the Hotdog Flavored Water.” Close though.

  13. Posted by Spammy | January 31, 2011 at 11:06 PM

    Isn’t it the Eagles Best Of collection?

  14. Posted by Spammy | January 31, 2011 at 11:06 PM

    Isn’t it the Eagles Best Of collection?

  15. Posted by Guest | January 31, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    fair point.

    -Jeffrey Werbalowsky

  16. Posted by Guest | January 31, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Yea dats right.

  17. Posted by Guest | January 31, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Yea dats right.

  18. Posted by Guest | January 31, 2011 at 11:32 PM

    The drinking night is done by every firm, in plenty of sectors. It always amazed me how many dumb asses get tanked and were sent home the next day like an episode of NEXT!

  19. Posted by Irish Guest | January 31, 2011 at 11:52 PM

    Wankin’ fuckin’ bankers!

  20. Posted by Vinny | February 1, 2011 at 12:08 AM

    I def couldn’t answer these questions that Mr. Werbalowsky asks…

    Ops at a real IB is > than a beautique anyway

  21. Posted by Joshua Persky | February 1, 2011 at 12:18 AM

    ANY WHY THE FCK ARE THEY HIRING WHEN THEY FIRED ME IN 2008

    …..the things I went through

  22. Posted by Guest | February 1, 2011 at 12:47 AM

    “Impress Webalowsky and you’ll get a call back. Blow it and he’ll probably mysteriously lose your number.”

    Wait, he’d lose the number? I thought a practical exam was part of the final round.

  23. Posted by Guest | February 1, 2011 at 2:22 AM

    “Best of” is not really an album. I knew the first two but would have guessed Sgt. Pepper’s for the album

  24. Posted by Guest | February 1, 2011 at 2:49 AM

    Step 1: Get prospective analysts drunk and ask them meaningless questions
    Step 2: ????
    Step 3: Profit!

  25. Posted by Guest | February 1, 2011 at 4:14 AM

    Emperor Obama

  26. Posted by Don Henley Sucks | February 1, 2011 at 4:18 AM

    Epic fail for mentioning the Eagles in any public forum.

  27. Posted by Lkjasdf | February 1, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    Just more proof that lame banker wannabes will do anything. You’re all ghey.

  28. Posted by Mr. Callout | February 1, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    Black guy from 24
    Danny Glover from Angels in the Outfield
    Jock Jams vol 2

  29. Posted by Anonymous | February 1, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    Think 1 is actually King George V of England (at 25% of the dry surface of the earth)

  30. Posted by Guest | February 1, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    Me.

  31. Posted by Guest | February 1, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    Step 4: See step 1.

  32. Posted by Guest | February 1, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    Step 4: See step 1.

  33. Posted by Guest | February 1, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    Step 4: See step 1.

  34. Posted by Guest | February 1, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    Step 4: See step 1.

  35. Posted by guest | February 2, 2011 at 1:17 AM

    Shallow LA proctologist searching for polips-

  36. Posted by GUEST | February 2, 2011 at 1:19 AM

    Hooligan Hokey? Enuf said ROFL

  37. Posted by bankster | February 7, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    if youre not moelis, who the fk wants to bank in LA? last thing i want to add to my sh*tty IB life is sitting in my car for 2hrs fighting LA sprawl.

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