Whether interviewing for a consulting gig or an investment banking post, familiarize yourself with brainteasers. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter is the latest investment bank to find itself in a sexual discrimination or harassment case. It's that time of year again when a whole new crop of graduates is unleashed on the world, ready to make their mark. You've cleared all the hurdles, dazzled the HR generalist with your firm self-assurance, survived etiquette tests masquerading as social gatherings, and spoken intelligently about why Cisco is your favorite stock. The investment bank wants you to join its exalted ranks you've got the offer in writing.
Interviewers are people, and people can be weird.
So you've lined up the perfect consulting or brand management gig after graduation. You're resigned to 90-hour workweeks for the next five years to get ahead, build skills, and cash in with a senior management job later on. Not a bad plan, but remember why you're working says Karen Cates, assistant professor of management and organization at Kellogg. It's all about building options. Students should consider it an opportunity to gain control over their lives.