Rohan talks to us about his experience applying to the graduate scheme at leading boutique investment bank Evercore.
What drew you to Evercore and how did you prepare?
For a firm like Evercore being independent is so important. It allows it to avoid the conflicts of interest that plague a lot of larger institutions. The deal teams are a lot smaller so there is better exposure as well.
The consequence of this is that everyone is expected to perform at an incredibly high level, which suits me fine. I also loved the atmosphere and culture among the team there and thought I fit in well. Add on to all that a great deal flow and growth track record, and you can see why I wanted to become part of Evercore.
I knew the team quite well already because they have a good campus presence in Oxford.
Before starting it was important to evaluate them in order to clearly show the motivation behind the application; for example, why you would enjoy working there and why they would be glad to have you as part of the team.
I also used some of my contacts to research the company ethos but perfecting my motivation for being there was essential.
What did you find was the most difficult part of the application process?
The interviews with the managing directors were really hard. In the Evercore process they are looking for people who will be in this career for the long run. My task was to persuade them that I do truly believe in Evercore.
Being able to communicate that I understand what it means to be a part of an independent business and how this then differentiates Evercore from their competitors goes a long way to proving I could do the same to their clients.
Ultimately, whether it’s through using your personal network or attending open days and networking events, if you get to know them as best as possible, this will help you overcome any potential challenges you may face. Immerse yourself in their culture and values and it will help you get ahead.
