Got asked at a Big 4 interview, "What would you do with life if you had unlimited $?"

[WelshAutist]

In my reply, the first thing I did was ask, "Does it have to be a professional job?" And the interviewer said "No, it can be anything whether career, leisure, hobby, just what you're passionate about but without any financial limitation."

So I thought back to the thread a couple of days ago "What job would you do if you had to work 40 hours a week @ $150k/yr" and I basically just gave my answer from that thread.



In short, my answer was that I would become Chief Executive Officer of an Investment Bank whilst managing a Private Hedge Fund. And my primary reason is because it fulfills my potential as a human in a gratifying manner that words can't explain. It shows business acumen, leadership and management skills, a passion for markets and investments, ability to make tough decisions (like Margin Calls) and account for risk. There's nothing in the world which compares to the sensations of highs and lows, swings and roundabouts, as Investment Banking. It's the most exhilarating career that a human can undertake pound for pound - I think it's the GOAT answer tbh



She asked me to elaborate on my reasons why I would choose Banking and I said the following...

Spoiler!

Being an Investment Banker is like fulfilling your potential as a man. You undergo corporate degradation but when you survive it while your peers are fired, it's actually as pleasurable as surviving as the fittest while those around you, weak-minded, are shot at or shot down one by one.

Most don't know the definition of corporate degradation. Some will understand surviving hard conditions if they were in the military or navy or a long-serving veteran, but if you really want to test yourself as a man, and push yourself beyond the limits of existence... Do just two weeks at DeutscheBank and you might learn. Out of all my friends I've spoken to, not a single one was treated as harshly as we were at DB

People often say that you should join the military or a boxing club if you want to toughen up, I'd say intern at DeutscheBank!!

And just so you know, I was one of the very few people who actually handled the pressure. People who complained to HR were basically fired instantly, people who didn't do the long hours out of choice were put on a black list to never be employed again, people from ivy leagues who came in with an arrogant attitude were humbled more than humanitarian work at Oxfam; even the non-HR related analysts and MDs were told to track our performance and report anything deemed "weak" back to HR

I've got no problem with that. If I was going to throw that much money at some kid, I'd also want them to be a ruthless mofo who fought for his job like a lion in a jungle.

I've got no problem with 80 hour weeks, let alone 60. Heck right now I'm an FA autist with very little real friends and no GF and I'd be happy to do 100 hour weeks. Infact I'd be happier doing 100 hour weeks than never working again.

It's not even about the money. The money is just a nice touch when you want to buy a car/house. I would probably just re-invest it in ether land, property, funds; I'm not materialistic anymore.

But it's about potential. There's nothing in the world which maximises your potential more than investment banking at a top firm. There's nothing which pushes you to the limit more. There's no bigger adrenaline rush. Having a good day in IB is better than having sex with Scarlett Johansson. And when it's a fight or flight world full of testosterone and competitiveness where 10% of the worst performers are fired each year (well known fact at Goldman Sachs); it's extremely exhilarating when you make it and are one of those survivors.

Honestly, there's no young 20-year old in the world who shouldn't TRY their hand at investment banking if they are single, independent from family and part of no marriage crew or don't intend to get into a relationship any time soon (SRS)

Working in investment banking is that euphoric. I've never done heroin and I never will, but I imagine the sensation is on par neuro-chemically...

So for that reason, I would choose Investment Banking. Specifically to be the Head of the firm. The pleasures and achievements that I would get from being an employee would be magnified and amplified to an extent where I wouldn't ever need a partner. Infact, a partner would be detrimental to my life because I would have to compromise.

And if I wanted to follow my secondary passion of managing an offshore Hedge Fund and becoming a specialist in equities, funds, bonds, emerging markets; all of the things which epitomize the legacy of a human, then i'd have to stay single and focused on my clients and goals.

The difference between working for someone else and working for clients is huge. You're doing all the strategic work, you're choosing all the investments, you're making all the corporate decisions... you just don't have the pressure of "risking" your own money. And you're paid in performance-related commission bonuses. So whereas in other jobs, you're paid a salary regardless of the quality of your work; doing what I would choose is the ultimate survival jungle where if you're lazy and unmotivated, you won't even have bread and cheese to eat, but if you're hard-working, a natural and exemplify ample skills in finance, risk, psychology and perceptions, then you'll have private jets in every continent with your name and face on the seats.

And nothing in the world, no other job, no other career, no other hobby, no other interest, will ever give you that satisfaction.

You would be the most influential man in the world and the only human on Earth maximising their complete potential.

Thoughts on my answer Misc? I think the MD at KPMG was seriously impressed

[Bindings]

wow first of all congrats on the big 4 interview

[WelshAutist]

wow first of all congrats on the big 4 interview

Thanks bro, repped. I recently had another one too (well an Assessment Day at PwC for Management Consulting) but I don't think i'll get that one. Also had a Partner interview for Wells Fargo Securities, but I don't think I have enough experience.

[ViagraOverdose]

Big 4:

Mcdonalds
Burger King
In-n-Out
Wendy's

[Gringo12]

"It's not even about the money"

Ok then you're hired, we'll pay you in fun instead

[WelshAutist]

"It's not even about the money"

Ok then you're hired, we'll pay you in fun instead

I genuinely would work in Investment Banking on zero base salary as long as I got a performance-related bonus for my efforts (srs)

Fulfilling your potential as a human > base salary pay

[Ayudha]

You need help....











but you don't deserve it....

[TrustMeBrah]

I'll tell you what I'd do, man. 2 chicks at the same time, man.

[idunnobrah]

Lay down and rot

[momason]

"have you ever seen iron man?"

[WelshAutist]

I'll tell you what I'd do, man. 2 chicks at the same time, man.

Lmao. Interviewer was female otherwise I might have said this for lulz if it was a male MD/potential miscer

[r0bo]

lmao this sounds like such soul-sucking work. glad i chose a different path.

[WelshAutist]

You need help....


but you don't deserve it....

What do you mean? Are you in one of the Big 4 firms?

[TrustMeBrah]

Lmao. Interviewer was female otherwise I might have said this for lulz if it was a male MD/potential miscer

lmfao. I would love to have seen it. It honestly has the potential to be a great answer, or at lest the start of one.

[meteoraniac]

could have passed the interview using any of BJ lines

[Getter_done]

What do you mean? Are you in one of the Big 4 firms?

Lmao at asking if hes in a big 4 firm, this is like asking brad pitt if hes in movies, ayudha is ur lord and saviour.

[WelshAutist]

lmao this sounds like such soul-sucking work. glad i chose a different path.

"Misc pharmacist crew"

Brb giving paracetamol to sick old ladies isn't soul-sucking but trading Oil stocks in West Africa or investing in Japanese Equities from your computer in London is?

Just lmao. Investment Banking is like travelling the world, but in your office, while eating a donought and drinking a cup of tea and making a chit load of money along the way (instead of spending money on flights, hotels, etc)

What epic stories or deals or clients will you work with or have as a community pharmacist? Your life is literally just go to work, take a sick persons prescription, give them some drugs or medicine, and repeat.

Genuinely may as well lay down and rot. Sounds boring AF

[WelshAutist]

Lmao at asking if hes in a big 4 firm, this is like asking brad pitt if hes in movies, ayudha is ur lord and saviour.

I'm relatively new here, so unaware.

Will rep for cliffs on Ayudha so I can PM him

[KurtMussell]

You didn't say "I'd be the guy who hires a guy like me." then aim your finger pistol and shoot em down with a wink?

[Jeeter]

I hope your interviewer hit you with a “Too long didn't listen LOL"

[Getter_done]

I'm relatively new here, so unaware.

Will rep for cliffs on Ayudha so I can PM him

He is CEO infinityK/day, he is like that blue dude from the watchmen.

[WelshAutist]

He is CEO infinityK/day, he is like that blue dude from the watchmen.

Is it from the Financial Services industry though? Or is he like a businessman? Or other?

[r0bo]

"Misc pharmacist crew"

Brb giving paracetamol to sick old ladies isn't soul-sucking but trading Oil stocks in West Africa or investing in Japanese Equities from your computer in London is?

Just lmao. Investment Banking is like travelling the world, but in your office, while eating a donought and drinking a cup of tea and making a chit load of money along the way (instead of spending money on flights, hotels, etc)

What epic stories or deals or clients will you work with or have as a community pharmacist? Your life is literally just go to work, take a sick persons prescription, give them some drugs or medicine, and repeat.

Genuinely may as well lay down and rot. Sounds boring AF

Except you spend the first decade working 100hrs a week sucking some senior ******* off to make some semblance of a career. I prefer to invest my money too,whilst actually helping society

[iceypain]

i lol'd. notsureifsrs

[bemyguest]

Lost it at working more than 40-50hours

Lost it at "it's not even about the money"

not sure if serious



Also, how the fk did she listen to you through whole time? It's way too long for one question.

[WelshAutist]

I hope your interviewer hit you with a “Too long didn't listen LOL"

She didn't. But I was surprised she didn't ask, why did you apply for KPMG if you love Investment Banking so much? Why aren't you interviewing at JP Morgan Chase or Morgan Stanley or Barclays Capital instead?

I had a good answer prepared incase she did, but she listened to my entire answer, jotted down some notes and then asked if I had any questions for her.

[Aperture]

With unlimited money and ignoring the charity/betterment of mankind angle, I would have a team of engineers build me a spaceship, then I'd be the first civilian to walk on the moon.

I'd love to have a giant team of people just building and testing cutting edge technologies.

100% serious

[strengthgained]

Would've said "guess we'll find out once you hire me....and by that I mean I'll be spending all the companies resources on my personal financing"

[Mavex]

I'm relatively new here, so unaware.

Will rep for cliffs on Ayudha so I can PM him

his rep power is less than his hourly salary

[WelshAutist]

With unlimited money and ignoring the charity/betterment of mankind angle, I would have a team of engineers build me a spaceship, then I'd be the first civilian to walk on the moon.

I'd love to have a giant team of people just building and testing cutting edge technologies.

100% serious

That's actually quite a good answer, repped.

But how is that relevant to KPMG or in what way does it benefit the Financial Services industry?