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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.

Interviews

Generally, the interview process is as follows:

Step 1: On campus one-on-one meeting 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)

Answers to commonly asked questions and other information about interview scheduling, locations, and other details can be found in our FAQs.

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

Positive, professional demeanor
Maturity, integrity and resilience

SEO Values

Commitment to community service and philanthropy

"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 CFL, Banking, and Nonprofit. Corporate Law placements are finalized in early-mid May.

Applicants can 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