Getting Started

Step 1: Determine area(s) of interest (focus is crucial; have a plan)

Corporate Finance / I-banking (M&A, leveraged finance, equity / debt offerings, strategic advisory)
Sales / Trading (Fixed Income, Equities, Currencies, Commodities)
Asset / Private Wealth Mgmt
Research
Other fields (strategy consulting, tax, audit, industry finance, private equity, hedge fund, management, etc)

Step 2: Get the Interview

*Resume – edit / revise many times and have others critique / offer feedback

*Relationships – reach out to people (be sensitive to time), ask good questions, ask for feedback, express your interest in company / interview / position; email (don’t call unless told) good questions to learn and network

*Events – visits to firms, on-campus recruiting, informational interviews

Step 3: Interview Preparation

* Relationships – ask detailed questions about firm / position / interview advice, demonstrate that you’ve reached out / done your homework

* Financial questions – pure practice / mock interviews (> month in advance); 90% predictable; use Vault Guide to Finance Interviews

* Brain teasers questions – lots of practice, show them you’re trying / think out loud / don’t give up (ask for a hint), stay cool under pressure; see Vault Guide to Finance Interviews

Strong story – ensure your statements make sense (for the position), are consistent, and present your candidacy effectively; state what sets you apart

Characteristics – know differentiating factors of each bank (GS, MWD, CSR, MER, DB, LEH, BSC, C, JPM, WB, BAC)

Cater interview to unique circumstances – prepare points that speak to unique situations of each individual bank (relationships, opportunities, things that have impressed you a/b a bank / desk / group, etc)

Culture – familiarity with banks’ traits and history (especially GS, Bear)

News / current events – read WSJ and online financial news sources

Investment Banking