Deutsche Bank Interview Questions

Deutsche Bank Interview Questions

[Edit] Find out more about interviews at Investment Banks on the WikiJob forums.

First Interview/Assessment

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Consists of a:

• Written numerical reasoning test (30 minutes)
• Interview with vice president (VP) from the line of service to which you have applied (45 minutes).

Written Numerical Test

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The numerical reasoning test is 30 minutes long and there are 33 questions. It is multiple choice, however you will need to select from 8 possible answers. The test is considered to be easier than the standard SHL test. You are not permitted the use of a calculator however you should not need one. There is time pressure, although according to the interviewers at Deutsche Bank, nobody has ever completed the test.

The test covers the following topics:

• Percentages
• Ratios
• Exchange rates
• Graphical analyses (reading graphs & tables)
• General arithmetic

Note: Look very carefully at the axis of graphs and dates as it is likely they will be structured to confuse you!

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.

Interviews

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Deustche Bank divides questions you will be asked on their website into three categories:

• About yourself including competency based interview questions.
• About Deustche Bank
• About the investment banking industry

It is worth noting that although this is for the US recruiting arm of Deustche, you should be able to answer most of these questions competently.

Personal Questions

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You can reasonably expect to be asked the following personal questions at interview:

• Why do you want to work for Deutsche Bank?
• Why have you chosen the role you are applying for?
• What activities have you done in the past?
• Where have you worked?
• What kind of person are you?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What do you love and hate?
• Make sure you know your CV/application form.
• What was the biggest decision you have made in your life?

Competency Questions

[Edit] You may be asked some of these common competency questions:

• You disagree with a superior about something, what do you do?
• You disagree with a team mate about something, what do you do?
• Tell me about a time when you have failed (Last 12 Months)
• Tell me about a time when you used your own creativity to solve a problem
• Tell me about a time when you've had to do something that you hated.
• Tell me about a time when you've worked under pressure.
• How many cars are produced in Germany per year?
• How many cinemas are there in the UK?

It is worth noting that some of these problems are not actually solvable; they are interested in your approach to tackling them.

About Deutsche Bank

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You will need to make sure you show a clear understanding of Deustche Bank and the services it provides. Questions that you might be asked at interview include:

• What countries do we operate in?
• How many divisions do we have?
• What divisions operate in the region you are interested in?
• What is our organizational structure?
• How does our business differ in Germany?
• Who are our senior managers?
• What are some of the more important/news worthy deals we just closed?
• Have you talked to any company representatives/current employees?
• What do recent Deutsche Bank Interns at your school have to say about us?

About the Banking Industry

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• An understanding of the terminology; fixed income, cash flow, bond
• Follow the large markets. We don't expect you to know the exact percentage change of a specific stock but we do expect you to know the major trends in some of the large financial markets
• Know who the major players are in the industry
• For roles in core functions such as human resources, technology and operations know why you would rather do this work in finance as opposed to another industry
• Have a few questions prepared to demonstrate you've done some research and want more information
• Show that you understand what your role would entail and what makes you a good candidate
• Your opinion on what is going to happen this year
• The effects of the credit crunch on Deutsche Bank/What should Deutsche Bank do?

First Interview

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The interview will be a one-on-one interview with a vice president from the division to which have applied. Principally, it will be a discussion for your motivation for joining Deustche Bank, and the details on your application form.

It is highly likely you will be asked "what does an investment bank do"? You will need to answer this question accurately and talk about the subject confidently, so make sure to research investment banking. It would be a good idea to discuss what Deutsche Bank does specifically, taking in to consideration:

• Five core businesses
• Global markets
• Global banking
• Asset management
• Private wealth management
• Private and business clients

To really impress interviewers, talk about your knowledge of each of these divisions, for example how global markets involves sales trading research structuring.

Following this question you may also be asked "which division makes the most money"? Even if you don't know the answer to this, openly discuss your thoughts on the subject. The more you can demonstrate you know about the company, and how the company's key divisions operate, the more knowledgable and professional you will seem and consequently the more employable you will become.

Second Interview/Assessment

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Consists of three 30-minute one-on-one interviews with vice presidents from the division to which you have applied. Successful applicants must gain approval from all three of the vice presidents. At least one interview, will focus on situational decisions. For example, a typical question might be, 'Your boss wants to do something a certain way, but you disagree. How do you go about convincing him?'. It is likely you will also be asked more general competency based interview questions on teamwork, times when you had to motivate yourself to achieve a goal and your experiences of leadership/when you led a team in the past, amongst other questions.

Another interview will be more technical, requiring you to answer questions about recent market activity (Sub prime). Finally, one other interview will be more general, requiring you to talk about your knowledge of DB, finance and why you want to work in this field. It is likely you will be asked about hobbies and interests and what you do with yourself outside of work. It is possible you will also be asked some further compentency questions at this stage, although this interview should feel more like a general chat, than an interogation.

For more middle-office based interviews, such as Technology, you may be asked to talk about a technology that interests you and how it could be used to better the bank.

Note: It is possible that interviewers will ask you the price gold, oil and other commodities are trading at on the day of your interview, so it is a good idea to read the Financial Times or another similar publication daily, in the build up to your interviews.

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