Calamos Investments Analyst Interview Questions
& Process

It was a standard interview where they asked about my work history, education, professional traits, skills, and goals. It was very straightforward and appropriate. I enjoyed talking to the representative and it gave me a good impression of the company and the people there.

This was a long interview process. It started when someone from Calamos thought I'd be a good fit and sent my resume to HR. It took about two months for HR to contact me for an initial phone screen and personality test. The HR person seemed unprepared and asked things I had already put on my resume. Six weeks later, I was invited for a first in-person interview. I had to fill out another paper application, even though I'd already done one online. The HR person was late to my interview. I met with the talent acquisition manager and got asked the same questions from the phone screen. Then I met with a research manager who supervises junior analysts. We talked for about an hour about my past work, and I had to pitch a stock. The manager said I was qualified. It took almost two weeks to schedule a second round with the investment team. I had to bring another paper application because HR lost the first one. I met with another research manager and two senior investment team members. I was supposed to meet with a CIO, but they weren't in the office, and it seemed like no one checked their schedule. They asked a variety of questions, including why I'm interested in Calamos, stock pitches, general investment knowledge, brain teasers, and my market views. The meeting ran over, and a senior investment professional said HR would contact me about a third round with more investment professionals, including both CIOs. Weeks passed, and I followed up with HR weekly, but they were slow to respond to calls and emails. They said the investment committee was reviewing multiple candidates and the process was taking longer than usual. I turned down another job offer because I thought this one was serious. Finally, HR contacted me, saying they decided not to hire junior analysts at this time, as they needed more senior people. This was five months after the initial contact. I asked if I could provide references to prove I was seasoned, given my experience and CFA progress. Later, HR said they contacted my references but it didn't change their decision. My references were people who knew my work ethic well, and I suspect they never actually called them.

I applied online and then had a phone interview with HR who asked about my background and my interest in the role. After that, I had to complete a personality test. About two weeks later, I was invited for an in-person interview. I met with an HR representative, then a manager from the relevant department, and finally a supervisor. They all inquired about my experience and the qualities I possess. I was informed that I did not advance past the first round. The subsequent stages would have involved meeting two employees from the investment team, followed by a third round with the President.