How to Nail Your Investment Banking Interviews
Ok, so you’ve got your big interview at that Investment Bank you’ve wanted to work at since you first heard of it. How do you prepare?
The thing is, not all investment banks are the same and you can’t always tell what’s going to happen in every interview.
To be honest though, there is a way to almost guarantee your success and that’s by anticipating what’s going to go down at your interview and preparing for it in advance.
First, let’s be clear. Fit questions will always be more important than the investment banking technical questions. I mean, these people don’t expect you to know it all when it comes to the financial world. They do expect you to have a good knowledge of it, but what they’re looking for the most is whether you’ll be a good addition to their firm.
The way you can tick all their boxes is to come across interested in business and the financial world, and also willing to learn and eager to work hard. Also, when you get asked the requisite questions on what you would do in certain situations, make sure you give examples from your own life. Hint: have 4-5 stories accentuating your relevant strengths – this will set you apart.
But the way to almost guarantee your success with investment banking interview [] questions is to be enthusiastic about what you’re saying. Interviewers cannot resist someone with FIRE, someone who’s positive, great to get along with.
Here’s the key: Make them want to work with someone like you.
Another good thing to do is to be prepared for all the logistics. You should be prepared to speak with a banker in every level of the firm at some point. We’re talking analysts, associates, VP’s and perhaps MD. You should be ready to have a very high-pressured day, full of interviews, tests, group exercises and assessments. Make sure you arrive on time in the morning and socialize with the other candidates. People will be watching you, so you should be at your most social and professional.
So in summary, prepare for the investment banking interviews in advance, link the fit questions back to your own experiences, be personable and charming and think about the logistics on the day itself. You’ll be getting investment banking job offers in no time!