Wilshire Advisors LLC Interview Questions
& Process

I had an HR screening and the lady was very nice. They were all your typical behavioral questions. I think they were bona fide attempts to get to know you better, rather than "gotchas" where you're expected to give a specific answer.

Had a first call with a recruiter, then some interviews with the managers I'd be working with. It wasn't too tough, mostly behavioral questions about things like teamwork and being detail-oriented. The whole thing took quite a while, like 3-4 months.

I applied online on a Monday or Tuesday and got a call on Wednesday to schedule an initial phone screener for Thursday. During the call, they mentioned they needed to fill this position quickly. After the phone interview, I got a call the same afternoon to schedule an onsite interview for the following week, the day after New Years. They also asked me to bring a writing sample. The interview itself was about 45 minutes. I prepared by reviewing my math finance, specifically option pricing and portfolio theory, and researched the firm. I learned that this position and the consulting division don't directly invest; they connect clients with investment firms. I was a bit disappointed as their website highlighted investment activities. However, I remained enthusiastic about starting a career in finance. I was interviewed by a Sr. Associate, a Sr. Analyst, and an Associate (who conducted the phone screen). The Sr. Analyst and Associate seemed engaged, but the Sr. Associate appeared disinterested, though they were all friendly and relaxed. I highlighted my quantitative background, including courses in mathematical modeling, real analysis, math finance, investment theory, and programming skills (C++, C#, Java, Matlab, SAS). However, the role is more qualitative, so after I listed my technical skills, they asked if I knew Excel, which seemed to be the main requirement. Ultimately, they hired someone with more experience, which is understandable given my limited finance background (one internship). This is not the place to go if you're aiming for an MFE and a quant career, as they don't prioritize quantitative training.

The interview process involved about 3-4 rounds. Interviewers were great and professional. It was mostly behavioral and fit questions, with some questions about the economy and aligning goals. They were quick with a response and flexible on location.