The large glass doors of Meridian Investment Tower loomed over me, reflecting the concrete jungle behind me. My palms were damp, and I adjusted my tie for what felt like the hundredth time. This was it. The culmination of years of hard work and sleepless nights though school and Uni lead me to this moment. The opportunity to step in the world of high finance was mere hours away, yet all I could think of was what my fate would be if I cocked it at this moment.
The lobby of Meridian Investment was a symphony of polished marble and hushed conversations. I approached the reception desk manned by a woman with a steely gaze. “Michael Smith,” I said, as I tried to cough away the shakiness in my voice.
She nodded and gestured towards a sign which read “Interviews”. “The other candidates are waiting in there, they’ll call your name when they are ready to see you Mr. Smith.” I wanted to crack a stupid joke about how that was my father’s name as a way to calm my nerves but I thought better of it.
Taking a seat amongst the Ivy League graduates and the smartest minds coming out of the top Universities in the world, I mentally ran through my prepared answers. I had spent many hours the past few weeks researching all I could about Meridian Investments – its portfolio, key executives and recent deals. My resume, carefully curated to highlight my academic achievements sat on my lap tucked inside a laminate folder.
“Micheal Smith, follow me please.” The bellowing voice came from the entrance to an adjacent room of which a sleekly dressed man was standing in the doorway.
The room was bathed in the natural light and offered a brilliant view of the city that I wish one day I could be a part of. There was a large mahogany table with a panel of three execs sat behind it. The man gestured to the chair on the other side and told me to have a seat.
The panel was made up of some of the biggest heavy hitters in the firm. There was Mr. Anderson, the CEO, Mrs. Thornton, the CFO, and Mr. Faye, the Managing Director of Investments.
“Michael,” Mr. Anderson began, “let’s dive right in, as you can see we have plenty of candidates to get through. Why Meridian? What drew you to our firm?
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I took a deep breath and steadied myself to give the answer that I have droned into memory from my weeks of studying. “Meridian investment has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and innovation in the finance industry. The firm’s track record in managing complex portfolios and your strategic approach to investments align with my professional values. I am very impressed by your firm’s ability to navigate challenges in the market through adaptability and foresight.”
Mr. Faye nodded thoughtfully. “As you probably know we value our ability to work as a functional team. How will you contribute to our collaborative environment?’
I leaned forward in my chair, eager to play up my teamwork skills. After all, it was not one of my strong suits through school and Uni. Collaboration is at the core of a successful investment bank and I feel that I can add my own charm to that. I’ve worked on numerous high level projects through Uni that worked with coordinating with analysts, legal advisors, and senior executives in order to get my masters. By fostering this open communication and ensuring each team member’s strengths were utilised, we delivered a report that exceeded expectations. I feel that I can do that in your firm.
The questions continued, probing into my skills of financial modelling, my understanding of industry trends as well as visions for the future of finance. Each response was carefully crafted showcasing not only my past achievements but also demonstrating my eagerness to contribute to the wild world of Wall Street.
The interview neared its conclusion after a nerve racking and gruelling 15 minutes. It felt like every minute was more like an hour and I could feel the sweat dripping down my back.
Mrs. Thornton spoke up for one last time. “Michael, where do you see yourself in five years, and how do you envision contributing to Meridian’s growth?”
I took a second to gather my thoughts. “In five years, I see myself as a key player in this firm’s success story. I aim to contribute not only by excelling in my roles but through actively seeking opportunities to enhance the firm’s position in the market. I want to be an integral part of Meridian’s journey towards sustained growth and success.”
I took a deep breath as the room fell silent. “Thank you Michael, we’ll be in touch soon,” Thornton said as she scoured the long list of candidates for the next name on the list.
A flood of relief engulfed me as I walked out of the conference room and back into the lobby. My journey into the world of Wall Street was in the hands of three executives behind a large mahogany desk. I stepped into the bustling street wondering if I had done enough to secure my place.