Am i too late?

Question

I’ve been considering a career transition into investment banking, leveraging the transferable skills I’ve developed over nearly a decade in marketing. Before I move forward, I’d appreciate your insights on the following:

What is the scope for someone with a marketing background to enter investment banking?
What kind of job opportunities and starting salary ranges could I expect after making the transition?
In what ways could you assist me in landing a role in investment banking?

Looking forward to your guidance.

Answer 1

Hey,

You're definitely not too late. People pivot into investment banking from all kinds of backgrounds, and nearly 10 years in marketing gives you a unique edge, especially if you've worked on strategy, analytics, or communications at a high level.

It’s not the traditional route, but it’s possible, especially in roles like investor relations, corporate development, ECM, or even M&A at smaller or boutique firms. Your client-facing experience, storytelling skills, and ability to handle pressure are all relevant. That said, you'll need to fill any technical gaps (e.g., financial modeling, accounting, valuation) to be competitive.

If you're coming in without prior finance experience, you may need to start at the analyst or junior associate level. Rough salary ballpark:
Analyst: ~$100–150K base + bonus
Associate: ~$150–200K base + larger bonus
This varies a lot depending on firm size, region, and whether it's a bulge bracket or boutique.

Start building your technical skills and try to network hard, especially with bankers who’ve made non-traditional moves. Happy to help with resources, resume advice, or interview prep ideas if you’re serious about it. You're not starting from zero, you just need to reposition what you’ve already done!

Answer 2

Hi Rick,
With a strong marketing background and the right positioning of your transferable skills, transitioning into investment banking is absolutely possible.

Start by reading our in-depth article:
👉 How to Build a Successful Investment Banking Career

Looking for personalized support? Explore our Coach Directory and filter by Investment Banking to connect with experienced professionals who can guide you through the transition.

These resources can also support your journey:
📘 Crafting an Exceptional Cover Letter
📘 Models for Finance Interviews

Best of luck on your career path!

Answer 3

Having worked in both consulting and finance, I’d say the main difference is the focus. In consulting, it’s about big... (read entire answer)

Having worked in both consulting and finance, I’d say the main difference is the focus. In consulting, it’s about big-picture problem-solving, like helping a client expand into... (read entire answer)