- "I just had an interview today and guess what the guy asked? Almost all of your questions. My girlfriend had printed it out [excerpts on the web] just the day before and I told her "Yeah, it probably would be good if I knew all those answers pat"
but figured I wouldn't get asked them. And did! I even asked the guy point blank "Did you get these question from Tim Crack's book?". And of course he said no. But too much of a coincidence. Now that the horse has escaped from the barn ...
...I can order this book so this won't happen again. We'll see what they decide about the results of my interview (doing quant work for a bond fund at a Boston firm)."
Above from a guy who read the excerpts from the book on the web and then bought the book after his first interview.
- "I wish to congratulate you on writing what is heralded as an insider classic..."
Above comment is from a happy customer in London.
- "I just got the book in the mail and it is awesome!"
The above is from an MBA student at a leading school.
- "I just want you to know that I received your book today. I must say
that this is an excellent book and has
exactly the right information that I was looking for. You have done an
excellent job on this book. What is
amazing is you are selling this book so cheap. I have spent over $380 on
other books and no book like yours
has the correct style - question and answer. I Thank you for sending me
this book and please keep up the excellent work. God Bless."
Above comment from Vijay Venkatesh, Boston MA. In interests
of full disclosure, note that the price was only $29.50 for the first 100 copies
sold - including his.
- "Hello Tim, I would like to order (another) copy of your terrific book.
It's actually a gift for a friend...
...Let me say that your review of Black-Scholes options theory and the
related questions are invaluable. I definitely credit the preparation
gained from working on those problems for giving me a real leg up over
other job applicants. As you can see now, I'm very happly employed
[his e-mail is from a bulge bracket I-Bank]. All I can say is, thanks for the help."
Above from a guy who bought the book, interviewed and got the
job at big name NY firm.
- "FYI, on Monday I interviewed with [top firm name withheld] for a
[type of analyst withheld] analyst position. There were 8 interviews in all,
one after the other. Each interview was approximately 30 minutes long. I was
asked one logic question and one stat question -- both, you'll be happy to
hear, were verbatim out of Heard on the Street. They asked me question
[withheld] and [withheld]. I stumbled through the questions the first time I
read your book, so I can imagine that their expectations weren't that
high. They were very impressed when I nailed them.
They also asked me: [multple other questions not from my book but withheld] and
(at the end) what my range was, when I could start, and
if I had a house to sell -- definitely a good sign!
Thanks for putting the book together. It probably doesn't surprise you
that the same questions turn up in Wall St interviews year after year,
but I was very surprised to be asked questions verbatim out of your book.
I will definitely recommend the book to friends and associates who want
to interview on Wall St. Thanks again!"
Above from a guy who bought the book, interviewed at a very
top firm and nailed tough questions after reading the
book.
- "Your book is amazing. I have actually been asked some of the questions that
are in your book. I currently an undergraduate student at NYU who is
graduating this may. This book is GREAT, not only is it giving me insight
as to the type of questions Interviewer's ask, but I am also learning a lot
from your more quant and derivative questions. I have reccommeded your book
to a few close friends, but I think I will keep it a secret from others
until I get the offers I am striving for. Thank you."
Above comment from an NYU undergrad.
- I have found your book to be fascinating reading. I
particularly enjoyed the less quantitative
questions. I feel they expose the narrowness and confined thinking
many young MBA's possess. The "square peg, square hole" mentality is
not applicable in the complex business environment of Wall Street. I
also find your advice regarding the use of the book as [a] tool to be
absolutely correct. Most "sheep" will look to the answers with only a
cursory attempt at problem solution. The real students will work the
problems and as a result work the interviews to land the jobs.
I sincerely hope that the book continues to be a work in progress for
you because it represents a rare and vital bridge between the academic
training of graduate school and the skills required to compete in the
business world.
The above is an unsolicited reaction from a senior guy at a big-name
firm. He got a free copy of the previous edition of "Heard on the Street," and
sent this before getting the (much improved!) new version.
- "In every lecture I teach, I never forget to ask at least
one question from your book. Otherwise my students complain
loudly... In my teaching evaluations, I always have some
students claiming that this is the best part of my class! By
the end of the quarter, they are begging to know where they
can get the book for themselves. Those who come back after
getting a job offer on Wall Street tell me the interviews
went exactly like the book says, and give me more questions
to add to the book. This book is the best idea I've ever
heard of. And every time I open it I am amazed at the amount
of work you put into it."
Above comment from Olivier Ledoit (PhD MIT),
Professor of Finance at the Anderson School, UCLA
- "This book is interesting, informative and a potentially
invaluable investment for any MBA or Masters in
Finance student looking for a job in sales, trading
or quantitative analysis. It has a good balance between
quantitative and non-quantitative questions and a very
useful bibliography. I suspect that any publisher willing
to take a chance with the book would be greatly
rewarded - I can see this being recommended
supplementary reading on many course syllabi for a
long time to come"
Above comment from Ronnie Barnes, London UK.
Mr Barnes MA MSc ACA is a Teaching Fellow at London Business School.
- "Reading this book can make the difference between getting or not
getting a job on the Street."
The above is from a trader for a major investment bank who asked for
anonymity.
- I greatly enjoyed reading the book and would highly recommend it
to other Finance professionals.
The above is from a reviewer for a major publishing house.
- Thank you very much for the Book, I really appreciate you wrote it. It is
very valuable information for me.
The above is from a student at a US business school
- Professor Crack, Your book serves as a very helpful tool!
If you have any other editions come out please keep me informed. Thank you ...
The above is from an MBA student at U Chicago.
- I received your book this morning, needless to add I was hooked. I
thank you for an excellent compilation and research work.
- I picked up your book today ... It looks great!
- I enjoyed reading your '95 edition, thanks to Professor X's
referral.
- Your book has arrived. Needless to say I am thrilled.
Thank you for making such a book available.
The above is from an MBA student at a leading school..
- Thanks for your past book - highly informative even to those of
us who don't usually go to Wall St.
The above is from a purchaser of the first edition. The new version
is very much improved!
- Thanks for the book - it is excellent. I found several problems that I
have been asked at interviews in the past several years.
The above is from an MBA student at a leading school.
- I have got great news. My interviews have gone perfectly well, and I have
even had an internship offer already. Your book has definitely provided me
with an edge, with confidence as well as preparation.
I would like to thank you both for the information you have provided and the
your attentiveness in sending the book ASAP.
Above from a UNC undergrad seeking an internship.
- The book arrived yesterday (the 15th), 10 days exactly.
I have to say that it looks good. It's pretty much what I was
hoping/expecting it to be. It looks particularly useful for people
doing study on their own, who want to find out what sort of level
economics students are supposed to be at.
Above from a CS student in Australia who ordered the book via Airmail book rate.
- Dr. Crack,
I bought your book several months ago and loved it.
I am finishing my MBA at [a top school], and
I am also a derivatives
trader at [withheld]. I have
been on the hiring committee for several years, and would
like to buy copies of the book for my friends on the committee.
Above is self explanatory.
- About the [a specific question in my book] question, I failed
to find the answer correctly during my phone interview with the head quant
from Goldman [this is before buying my book].
Look, Tim, the questions you mentioned in your
book are sufficiently hard, and nobody can figure them out right away or on
the phone unless they heard [something] like that before.
Above is from a guy who interviewed without the book. He says you
cannot answer the quant questions unless you have seen something
like them before.
- A
Kind Link at the Ohio-State Universiity. They describe the book as
"Amazing!" The Ohio-State Business
Job Finder link on my Careers Links page is
excellent.
Do NOT interview for any analytic job before reading this!, November 21, 2003
good for PhD quant positions, October 27, 2001