What do investment banks look for in new recruits? Tip No. 1: It has little to do with your ability to multiply 19 x 43 and everything to do with your passion for the job.
If consulting firms attract the type A personality, then the world of investment banking attracts type A-plus. Are you a workhorse? Do you find yield curves ***y? Do you debate company valuation methods the way sports geeks debate football teams? great. But top firms are also looking for candidates whose personality makes them a great fit and who have the stamina to work insanely long hours and climb the ladder till the way to managing ke a consulting interview, which lends itself to cool, cerebral case studies and brain games, the investment banking interrogation won“t involve many airy, academic questions. Instead, expect nuts and bolts: ”Which would have a higher P/E ratio, a food company or a pharmaceutical company?“ ”Where are interest rates going, and why?“ But never lose sight of the fact that the single biggest question lurking in the background of any I-banking interview is one that”s seldom asked directly: “How committed are you to this profession and our company?” The bank wants a return on its training investment in you, so show your passion and commitment, or don“t show up.
