Excel knowledge for Finance jobs?

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I was just given an Excel test in an interview today. If you want I can try getting my hands on it for you. PM me

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Wow what did they ask you and what job were you interviewing for?

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I went into the interview thinking it was an Assistant Trader position for a prop trading firm, but they told me when I got there that it was for an Operations Trade Support position where you basically make the life of traders easier. Long story short, I decided to go through with it since I was already there and I ended up being there for close to 3 hours.

The test included 6 assignments (all on individual tabs of one Excel file). Each assignment comprised a few different tasks, from basic formatting to using functions to using macros. All in all, I thought it was pretty ridiculous. I didn't even know that I was being timed and they told me time was up when I was only half way through because I was taking my time doing crap like picking the right background color that it wanted. Even if you didn’t know how to do the stuff on the test, it was something that could be learned in less than two hours.

[catalyst]

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if nothing gave you that experience then i'd simply be honest about your ability and say you're beginner.

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You should say, "I excel in Excel!"

That would show that you have an unparalleled wit that would make you an asset to any company.

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I LOL'd at this.

I have been asked my experience with excel in interviews, but only once gone into any detail about it (explaining whether I had experience doing lookups and other functions)

[mattnxtc]

Not a finance entry job, but I was an econ grad that got a job with a major company in houston as a buyer/expediter in their procurement department and while it wasnt a necessity, being capable in it makes you very useful

[DcifrThs]

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I was just given an Excel test in an interview today. If you want I can try getting my hands on it for you. PM me

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Wow what did they ask you and what job were you interviewing for?

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i guess it makes sense as students recognize how important it is to have "excel skills" more and more people who dont have them put them on their resume. this increases teh chance an employer will hire one of these and after a few times of being "fooled" they simply include an excel test in the interview process to save time/$.

i've never seen, heard of one save in this thread.

also, even, your advice about not using the mouse is key. i didn't mention it b/c it is simply a given for me. writing macros is by far, for now, the differentiator of "skill" for certain positions. also knowing programs like matlab.

Barron

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I half disagree on the macro thing. I've had multiple jobs and classes that were extremely excel-heavy. Most of them didn't require macros at all. I guess you kind of said the same thing, "certain positions." It's relatively rare that you really need to be familiar with VBA though. However, as I'm sure you know, when you do need it it can be absolutely crucial. I wouldn't put that on the list of first things to learn though. Same goes for Matlab too. Heavily quantitative jobs might make it a necessity, but I've never had to use it in my life. I've never even seen the program.

Also, my name is Evan, not Even.

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i dunno wtf is wrong w/ me dude. i obv KNOW your name is evan. my fingers just get used to typing words and even must have come out instead of evan.

i still feel bad about forgetting you in my NY trip report post when we met while back...now this [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

i'm so sorry!!! can you ever forgive me [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

as to your points, i agree that in terms fo the positions OP is talking about and most people are talking about now. but for heavy quant jobs as you said, macros are key as is matlab. the way i have them laid out on my resume is as follows:

Computer Skills: Proficient in SAS, Matlab, and Excel (advanced functionality, basic macro skills)

i would LOVE it if they tested my excel skills in an interview.

One last thought on excel. equally important as creating models is your ability to audit a model you are given.

Barron

[Tito Jackson]

Does anyone have any good recommendations for a good beginner/intermediate Excel book. There are so many out there I'm finding it difficult to choose one.

Also,would a 2007 edition be preferable to the 2003 books?Thx.

[KDuff]

I learned a lot from Wayne Winston's "MS Excel: Data Analysis and Business Modeling." It was for Excel 2003 and did not cover macros.

[Evan]

I don't think there's any benefit to having a book on 2007. The layout is much different but all the formulas and keystrokes are the same in both. Both use the same VBA also. This is especially true if you're interested in learning for the sake of a job, as I'd bet about 1% of companies that run MS Office have switched to 2007.

[Uglyowl]

The posters at Mr Excel are amazing, if you are interested in Excel, you will love it here:

http://www.mrexcel.com/


I like the following book, although if you are at vlookup, pivot tables, it may be just a great reference with a few new things for you instead of a learning tool

Excel 2003 Bible

[catalyst]

Can anyone recommend an excel book that is geared heavily towards sales forecasting - covering vlookups, basic macros, etc.? There seem to be a multitude of them and I'm not sure which one to get...