Can I mention in IB interview that I want to do banking is for an unconventional exit opp I want?

My main reason for wanting to do IB is that I want to eventually work in development finance/investment. I think banking will provide me a great chance to learn about the fundamentals of financial transactions and modelling and I intend to then do a masters in Development Economics/ Public policy. I then hope to use my knowledge of finance to work on investment in the development sector. A lot of my current resume and experience in development work helps strengthen this narrative.

Is it ok to mention in the "why banking?" question or the interview in general? Or do I have to pretend like I want to be banker forever?

7 Comments
 

Let me rephrase: Can I mention in an IB interview that I want to leave IB after 2 years to pursue a different career?

On another note, what do you mean by "investment in the development sector"? Genuinely interested.

 

investing in emerging/underdeveloped markets for profit but also with the aim of promoting economic/social development in those countries. For example a PE firm that does this is Actis and in a less profit focused capacity I would love to work for the UK govts DFID or the US government's DFC (Development Finance Corp) which is a subsector of USAID

 

Depends on the place. Some banks don't really care if you're planning to leave after two years - most expect that sort of scenario. But some places will automatically ding you if you mention that in an interview/cover letter. They either expect you to stay longer than two years or want you to pretend like you're going to and not bring it up until it's time to leave.

As a general rule, I wouldn't say that kind of thing in an interview. It can come off as presumptuous, since you don't even have the IB job yet.

 

Et corrupti voluptatum architecto et est architecto autem. Dolorem omnis deserunt saepe voluptas aut quia adipisci. Ut odio odit aut dicta officia. Voluptate autem culpa voluptas accusantium aut pariatur dolor veniam.

Perferendis quis doloremque error eos. Corporis dolores accusantium laborum voluptates. Totam omnis qui similique saepe rerum aliquam et. Ipsa in inventore ducimus sed. Quia rerum illum aut aspernatur voluptates rem laboriosam. Sunt et amet distinctio ut perspiciatis et quos.

Et ipsa ea provident dolor voluptatem. Maxime possimus accusamus quo ut. Consequuntur maiores et hic in.

Et vel placeat occaecati quae. Tenetur est facere adipisci. Ullam quo voluptatem rerum tempore.

Array

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (49) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”