Interviews & Placements

SEO has a rigorous interview process designed to ensure that strong candidates have an opportunity to showcase their skills. SEO recruiters and alumni are available to help with interview preparation. We place interns directly with partner firms ensuring a good match in terms of the environment and role. SEO does not interview all candidates.

Interviews

Generally, the interview process is as follows (the process can vary and not all candidates will participate in each step):

Step 1: On campus one-on-one meeting, Skype or phone screen (15-20 minutes)
Step 2: In-Person or Skype interview (20-30 minutes)
Step 3: Assessment Day for Sales & Trading or Follow-Up Interview for other programs (30-60 minutes)

Invitations to meetings, screens, or interviews will be emailed to the email address provided on your application. Please make sure it is accurate.

SEO conducts behavioral interviews that can include a case study, analytical question, logic question, and/or an interpretation of a recent news item. We assess three main characteristics (specific indicators of these characteristics vary by internship area):

• Ability
• Grasps concepts quickly
• Professional, academic or extracurricular experiences
• Willingness
• Drive to understand the industry, roles and responsibilities
• Demonstrated passion for the area of interest
• Fit
• Positive, professional demeanor
• Maturity, integrity and resilience
• SEO Values
• Commitment to community service and philanthropy

Click here for tips on Preparing for Your SEO Interview. Answers to commonly asked questions and other information about interview scheduling, locations, and other details can be found in our FAQs.

"SEO is not about you. It’s about those who came before you and those who will come after you.”  – Walter K. Booker, SEO Class of 1981, Chairman

Placements

SEO interns do not specify a particular partner company in the application process.  However, candidates should research the SEO partners for their chosen program and understand why they may want to work for one of them.

SEO places interns directly with partners by matching the intern’s skills, background, interests, and personality with an appropriate role and company culture to ensure success. SEO will only admit an applicant if we can place him or her.

Interns are notified about their placement in late March/early April for Corporate Leadership, Banking & Private Equity, and Nonprofit. Law placements are finalized in early-mid May.

Applicants for Corporate Leadership roles may or may not be able to combine offers with SEO. Please discuss your interest in SEO with the companies' on campus recruiters for clarification. Please also speak with your SEO recruiter or interviewer before applying or interviewing with a Corporate Leadership partner company.

Applicants who plan to apply directly to Banking partner companies, please review the following carefully:

• If an applicant applies to a banking partner and does not receive an interview, SEO cannot place the student at that company
• If an applicant interviews with a  banking partner and does not receive an offer, SEO cannot place the student at that company
• If an applicant receives an offer from a banking partner and from SEO, there may be an option to combine those offers; however, there is no guarantee
• Discuss all pending offers with SEO before  accepting them
• Also, if you need an expedited decision from SEO because of a pending offer, please let SEO know about the offer before accepting it

"I had an incredible experience with SEO. My partner firm placement was ideal in every way: the culture of the firm matched my personality well and I had immediate college alumni connections throughout different parts of the firm. I could not have been happier with my placement and the very positive effect that it had on my internship experience." 

– Julius Bedford III, IB 2011, Barclays Capital