Inside the 5-hour psychological interview that can make or break your career at Citadel, Blackstone, and other finance titans

• Wall Street firms have a secret weapon for hiring decisions: the leadership advisory firm ghSmart.
• Its founder, Geoff Smart, detailed its vetting process, used by firms like Blackstone and Citadel.
• Hourslong interviews inquire about candidates’ early childhood, ambitions, and past jobs.

There’s an unassuming group of talent whisperers who have the ears of top titans in finance.