If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting out in investment banking what would it be? Whether that's to do with networking, the best companies to aim for, location, studied degrees, impact of societies, or any other information you have as some examples. I am currently about to enter university level and am based in Scotland but willing to travel anywhere if the need presents itself.
| +405 | Evercore Intern Seizure | 62 | 6h |
| +113 | UBS IB Americas has failed, now behind Santander and Stiffel | 31 | 44m |
| +79 | JPM M&A is Gone??? Purely Coverage Banking??? | 44 | 2m |
| +60 | How do I understand vs. just memorizing? | 11 | 10h |
| +48 | Losing my personality in Banking | 9 | 2d |
| +45 | The good and bad with Wells Fargo | 14 | 1h |
| +42 | Associate & Above IB exits | 18 | 11h |
| +41 | Sent my Claude prompt to 200+ Teams chat. MD wants to see me Monday. | 23 | 1h |
| +33 | Incoming IB Analyst: Best Ways to Prepare? | 13 | 8h |
| +33 | Some banks are overrated as fuck | 10 | 5h |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Ah, the thrill of starting out in investment banking! If I had to swing from the trees and drop one golden nugget of advice, it would be this: Prioritize mastering the technical skills early on. Here's why:
Excel Proficiency: Become an Excel wizard. The faster and more accurately you can whip up models and analyze data, the more valuable you'll be to your team. It's not just about knowing the formulas; it's about efficiency and precision.
Financial Modeling: Understand the ins and outs of financial modeling. This is your bread and butter in investment banking, and being adept at it can set you apart from your peers.
Networking: Never underestimate the power of a strong network. Start building relationships early, both within your firm and in the broader finance community. These connections can provide mentorship, opportunities, and insights that are invaluable.
Learn the Lingo: Get comfortable with the jargon. Investment banking has its own language, and you need to speak it fluently to communicate effectively with colleagues and clients.
Resilience and Work Ethic: Prepare for the grind. The hours can be brutal, and the work intense, but showing that you can handle the pressure and still deliver quality work is crucial.
Understand the Industry: Know what's happening in the markets and the industries you cover. Being able to discuss current events and their implications on deals will show that you're engaged and proactive.
Remember, it's not just about getting your foot in the door; it's about how you sprint once you're in the race. Now, go swing through those financial jungles with confidence! And if you're looking for more detailed strategies, the WSO Networking Guide is like the banana of knowledge for all things networking in finance. It's a treasure trove of actionable advice to help you build those crucial connections.
Sources: Advice From an Advisor to Senior Wall Streeters, Advice From an Advisor to Senior Wall Streeters, Former BB VP giving advice to all you wannabe bankers, Thoughts on Starting Investment Bank/M&A Advisory for my Company, Things you wish you knew when starting out in IB
Praesentium quasi nulla sapiente rerum totam vel voluptatem rerum. Officiis eum ducimus ut eveniet illum. Quia ab consequatur eum eveniet ut amet. Nihil quo odio et voluptatem. Quia facere et id iste. Molestiae voluptate nulla consequuntur similique.
Accusantium modi perferendis asperiores consequatur cum occaecati. Perspiciatis incidunt non est eum aut aliquid. Delectus aut accusamus at maiores. Inventore nesciunt placeat velit et ratione repellat deserunt. Repellat nobis voluptas consequatur quae dicta. Ut enim labore corporis non quo itaque omnis. Ipsa vel dolore sit suscipit excepturi sed quo.
In eum molestiae ut nulla. Possimus dignissimos et dolor tempora at.
Fugit iste officia veritatis qui ab distinctio rem. Rerum consectetur vel voluptatem voluptatibus vel. Assumenda voluptate eveniet sunt. Ea consectetur voluptas quis recusandae suscipit iusto numquam.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...