why Investment Banking

Question

Dear community,
I'm having soon interviews in IB and I would like some suggestions about the fit part. What do you think are good bullets to the question why IB?
Do you have any recommendation about platforms or materials to prepare the interview?

Thanks,
D

Ps. I know it is not the proper platform for talking about IB, but I'm preparing for consulting too and I find all the contents here very insightful.

Answer 1

Before I start, I have worked in both Investment Banking and Consulting, therefore have a good view on the differences across those two industries.

Both industries are quite similar in the type of people it attracts intelligent, analytical, huge drive/ambition, eager to learn, problem solvers.

However, the industries have also fast difference in the type of work, working culture (hours/expectations) etc.

Key platforms are Wall Street Oasis, Street of Walls and my favourite for building knowledge (not prepping interview) is Corporate Finance Institute.

Key is to ask some bankers at the place you are applying some insights and materials they might have.

Important to know that for interviews in investment banking it is rather improving your knowledge on the key topics (accouting, modelling) / while for consulting it is the way you think and solve problems you need to train. The latter is off course way more complex.

Lastly, for Why IB? This is really a personal process that you need to grow. The problem with this question is that people don't have it figured out and therefore you hear during interviews quite similar / boring / in-personal answers.

In general the key drivers for people to join investment banking is exposure to highly strategic topic at a young age, fast learning curve in early stage of career, developing their problem solving/analytical skills, being surrounded by extremely smart group of people and learning the basics to become a future investor.

But work hard to try to find an answer that is truly your own if you want to stand out to the interviewer; otherwise he might just zone-out while he earns person #10 on the super day with the same three answers without personalizing. Even if you use the examples above, connect it with your personal story why it is important for you.

Answer 2

Hi, you can check here for insightful contents about IB interviews prep
https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/

Feel free to text me for additional inputs, I have supported recently a couple of candidates in the fit part

Best,
Antonello

Answer 3

Resume walkthrough

Needs to be chronological
Only keep important details that make you look good (i.e. I worked across 7 industries and rose up the ranks twice in the course of that role)
Keep a theme of "why UB"
- I.e. at each step you need to show that you both got exposure to aspects of IB AND thrived + enjoyed them
Finish with: And that's why I'm here today looking for consulting with your company

Why IB

You need to summarize what you did before along the theme of IB aspects you liked and consulting aspects that were missing
You then combine those two - i.e. I know I like + am good at x, y, and z which is required for IB, and I really am excited to get a, b, and c
You finish with a "mini" why x company

Answer 4

Look at places like AskIvy, Wallstreetoasis, Breaking into Wall Street for IB specific content.

I've prepared these answers myself so DM me if you have particular questions

Answer 5

The story of your life is in progress, how does IB fit into that story at this stage- type of work, skills you could learn, tangible value you can add, how can you make the life of people around you better by doing IB type work etc

Answer 6

Hi there,

first, just by googling you will find many options on how to answer this question. Pick up the one that fits you the most, adjust it to your situation and experience, make it yours :)

Second, the question "why company X", "Why IB/ PE / Consulting" is just one tiny bit of the fit interview. Basically, the fit part is not only the specific questions and your specific experience, but your ability to "save the face", to stay calm and structured during the whole interview process.

I'm currently training a couple of candidates for especially for the fit part, hit me up if you're interested, Happy to help

Cheers,

GB

Answer 7

Hello!

The structure of the FIT part is indeed quite similar to consulting.

You can leverage most of the content of the "Integrated FIT guide for MBB", that has been recently published in PrepLounge´s shop (https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/integrated-fit-guide-for-mbb-34) -also for tech. companies-.

It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.

Furthermore, you can find 3 free cases in the PrepL case regarding FIT preparation:

Intro and CV questions > https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/fit-interview/intermediate/introduction-and-cv-questions-fit-interview-preparation-200
Motivational questions > https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/fit-interview/intermediate/motivational-questions-fit-interview-preparation-201
Behavioural questions (ENTREPRENEURIAL DRIVE) >https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/fit-interview/intermediate/behavioral-questions-entrepreneurial-drive-fit-interview-preparation-211

Feel free to PM me for disccount codes for the Integrated FIT Guide, since we still have some left from the launch!

Answer 8

Don't do investment banking.