What are some effective ways to show your interest in investment banking during recruiting? (2024)

Your resume is the first impression that recruiters and bankers will have of you, so you need to make it relevant and impactful. Highlight your academic achievements, work experience, and extracurricular activities that showcase your quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Use action verbs and quantifiable results to describe your accomplishments. Avoid irrelevant or generic information that does not relate to investment banking. Tailor your resume to each specific role and firm that you are applying to, and use keywords and phrases that match the job description and the firm's culture.

To show your interest in investment banking, you need to have a solid understanding of the industry, the market, and the current trends. Read industry reports, newsletters, blogs, podcasts, and books that cover topics such as valuation, financial modeling, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and deal analysis. Follow the news and developments of the major investment banks, their clients, and their competitors. Learn the jargon and the terminology that bankers use in their daily work. This will help you prepare for the technical and behavioral questions that you will face in the interviews, as well as demonstrate your curiosity and enthusiasm for the field.

Networking is a crucial part of the investment banking recruiting process, as it can help you get referrals, recommendations, and insights from current or former bankers. Reach out to bankers via email, LinkedIn, or phone, and ask for informational interviews, coffee chats, or mock interviews. Be polite, professional, and concise in your communication, and show genuine interest in their background, experience, and advice. Follow up with a thank you note and keep in touch until the application deadline. Networking can also help you learn more about the different roles, teams, and cultures of different investment banks, and help you decide which ones are the best fit for you.

To show your interest in investment banking, you need to prove that you have the skills and the aptitude to succeed in the role. Practice your financial modeling, valuation, accounting, and Excel skills by using online courses, books, or resources that teach you how to build financial statements, discounted cash flow models, comparable company analysis, and other common investment banking tools. Practice your mental math, brainteasers, and market sizing questions by using online quizzes, apps, or flashcards. Practice your presentation, communication, and storytelling skills by using mock interviews, case studies, or pitch books. The more you practice, the more confident and prepared you will be for the real interviews.

Another way to show your interest in investment banking is to show your fit with the firm and the role that you are applying for. Research the firm's history, mission, values, culture, and strategy, and identify what makes it unique and attractive to you. Research the role's responsibilities, expectations, challenges, and opportunities, and identify what skills, qualities, and experiences you have that match them. In your cover letter, resume, and interviews, emphasize how you can add value to the firm and the role, and how you can align with the firm's vision and goals. Show your passion, motivation, and personality, and explain why you want to work for that specific firm and role.

The last way to show your interest in investment banking is to seek feedback from recruiters, bankers, mentors, or peers on your performance and progress. Ask for constructive criticism, suggestions, and tips on how to improve your resume, cover letter, skills, or interview techniques. Listen to the feedback and implement it in your next application or interview. Seeking feedback shows that you are eager to learn, grow, and excel in investment banking, and that you are open to new ideas and perspectives. It also helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses, and work on them accordingly.

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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