The investment banking division of BNP Paribas mainly deals in mergers & acquisitions, equity capital markets, and debt markets. If you are a student in your penultimate year or a fresh graduate, you may want to pursue your career in these divisions, and if so, this is where you want to start.
To help you out, we’ll take a look at the complete recruitment process at BNP Paribas, covering the investment banking interview rounds, what you might expect, and how to prepare to get the most out of this opportunity.
BNP Paribas has headquarters in Paris and London, with large-scale operations in New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore, as well as smaller offices in almost every financial center worldwide. Therefore, the recruitment process may vary by location but mostly stays the same.
The company offers summer internships, extended internships, two-week spring insight, and apprenticeship programs for penultimate-year students. For graduates, the company offers internships and full-time roles in their investment banking division.
Here is what you have to go through to be accepted at BNP Paribas:
1. Apply Online
The first step is to apply for the roles offered at the bottom of the BNP Paribas career page for different locations. Choose the one that aligns with your goals and which location suits you best, click on it, then click the “Apply for this job” button.
Next, you will be asked to upload your CV. After uploading it, fill in your name, address, email, and other credentials to apply. You will then see a greeting message confirming that BNP Paribas has received your information and will contact you if you are shortlisted for the interviews.
2. HR Interview (Initial Screening)
After BNP Paribas recruiters shortlist you for the role, you’ll get a call from them for an initial interview over the phone.
In the first phone call with the HR team, the focus is often on understanding your background, motivations, and how suitable you are to work with the existing company's culture and values.
You may receive a brief description of the role for this purpose and will be asked a few questions about your previous experience, education, and relevant skills in the investment banking role you’ve applied for. They might also ask for details on specific responsibilities or achievements in past roles, particularly if they relate to the position.
HR will typically introduce themselves and provide a brief overview of the interview process, including what to expect in this call and the follow-up interviews.
3. Super Day
If BNP Paribas recruiters think you have what it takes to join their ranks, their team will invite you to go through one or multiple rounds of interviews with a senior IB analyst, associate, or director. You can call it a Super Day because you have to visit one of their nearby offices for these interviews.
The first one-on-one round is only behavioral and does not include any technical questions.
The second round is about one and a half hours long and is mainly technical, with some motivational questions at the start.
👉 For more insights, check out our article on the Investment Banking Superday.
Note: In some locations, you may have to go through a 2-day sophomore summit. In this event, the first day is behavioral in nature, and on the second day, you have to solve a situation or present a transaction in the market. After clearing that stage, you’ll attend a Super Day, which consists of multiple 1-1 interviews with vice presidents.
Next, BNP will contact you with their final verdict in a couple of weeks. If you are selected, they will stay in touch for onboarding until your first day at the office.
The recruiting process at BNP Paribas and the timeline can vary depending on the role, region, and specific circumstances.
Here’s a breakdown of the standard timeline and process you might experience when applying to BNP Paribas:
So, all in all, the BNP Paribas recruitment process takes about 7-8 weeks to complete.
BNP Paribas interview questions in both the HR and the one-on-one interviews are a mix of fit and technical skills-related assessments. Any professional who comes from another company to BNP Paribas already has an idea of the type of questions that will be asked. However, as a student or a b, you should know what sort of queries you have to handle throughout the process. Let’s take a look.
Fit/Behavioral Questions
Most fit questions are asked in the HR interview round over the phone call. Here are some example questions you might encounter:
👉 Prepare for the personal fit interview with our stress-question mode.
Technical Questions
In the final interview round for an investment banking role at BNP Paribas, you can expect technical questions that assess your understanding of financial modeling, valuation, financial statements, and the broader market. These questions are meant to determine both your technical knowledge and ability to apply financial concepts to real-world scenarios. Here are some common types of technical questions and topics you should be prepared for:
👉 Find more examples and tips in our article on technical questions in investment banking interviews.
Sophomore Summit Question
In a BNP Paribas sophomore summit interview for investment banking, candidates are often asked questions assessing their understanding of recent market transactions and ability to critically analyze deals. Here’s an example question:
“Choose a recent merger or acquisition that you find interesting. Describe the transaction briefly, explain why it happened, and discuss the risks and rewards for both companies. How would you approach analyzing this deal if you were working on it as an analyst?”
Preparing for BNP Paribas interviews in investment banking demands a well-rounded approach, particularly for students and recent graduates. One of the best starting points is connecting with peers and alumni. Reach out to those who currently work at BNP Paribas or other investment banks to gain insights into the interview process, company culture, and specific expectations. Alumni networks and LinkedIn are great resources for making these connections, and peers can offer valuable tips on technical questions and the interview structure.
Furthermore, participating in mock interviews with classmates or friends and practicing common technical and behavioral questions together can also be highly beneficial to build confidence and refine your responses.
For a more targeted preparation, consider seeking guidance from a professional coach who specializes in investment banking interviews. Expert coaches can provide in-depth feedback on your technical knowledge and also help you improve your answers to common fit questions (for example with methods such as the STAR framework). They conduct realistic mock interviews to simulate the high-pressure environment you’ll face at BNP Paribas and get you ready for the final day.
👉 If you want to take your skills to the next level and work with an expert, check out our coach overview!
Lastly, strengthen your technical skills by reviewing core concepts such as financial modeling, valuation techniques, and financial statement analysis. Keeping up-to-date with recent market trends and news in the financial sector can also make you a more compelling candidate.
By combining these strategies, you will build a solid foundation and stand out in the competitive interview process at BNP Paribas.
After all, BNP Paribas looks for those who bring curiosity, dedication, and a collaborative spirit to the table. With thoughtful preparation and a genuine enthusiasm for the field, you’ll be well on your way to making a solid impression. Good luck—your investment banking career is just around the corner!
