How to act natural but also be well prepared in IB interviews???

I just saw this in a GS post

"I feel this. I got this comment too when I gave my background and story in my first IBD interview, where the interviewer (VP/MD) said it sounded like I was really used to answering this question (when in fact it was my first official time). I had natural intonations, smile, a personable tone, but I knew my story well because I had put in hours upon hours to prepare for interviews. I understand a robotic/monotonous tone being a problem/turnoff, but what are you supposed to do when you sound prepared in your answers (but still as "natural" as possible) because you literally prepared so much for banking interviews in order to do well? I don't mean to come off as obnoxious but this really confuses me."

To me this makes a lot of sense. Anyone have any good experience on how to make sure you sound fluid but also prepared?

3 Comments
 

One thing that I do when I’m telling my story is incorporate something about the interviewer if they told me about themselves. For example if they’ve moved around the country in their career I say “unlike you, I’m from (Chicago) and have spent most of my life in the Midwest. Annunciations can help too- put extra emphasis on a few words where it makes sense. Also I intentionally add a filler word or two so that it doesn’t sound too rehearsed

Array
 
Most Helpful

Honestly I don't think the problem is having a well rehearsed script, but the delivery that makes it obvious you are reading lines imprinted in your brain. It's really a matter of "acting" that I think most people miss. What I find is that most people when they go about their "Why IB" or "tell me about yourself" spiel is that is very "I come from X. Then I did Y. I got great experience doing Z, which is why I want to work for you". This is nice, but when delivering try pretending like you're talking to an old bud, wave your hands around a little – maybe take a few pauses here and there, really tell a speech like a politician. You know that whole Obama/Pete Buttigieg oratory style that is so fucking see-through, but nonetheless entertaining enough to watch on TV? Those guys really don't say much of anything besides platitudes, but people EAT IT UP because they seem...chill.

I think the moral of the story is to not come across as the tightly wound finance bot that has a stick up his ass. (Even if you ARE that guy) I'm convinced final round interviews are more about picking out the kids that seem chill (but still competent) more than anything. At a certain point, we ALL have the same qualifications, drive, and goals. The only thing that differentiates us is well...who do you want to kick it with at the bar after closing a deal? This is probably really hard for the already socially awkward types, but I really do believe IB is ran by social butterflies–charisma is hard to fake.

 

Molestias qui explicabo sint. Facere et incidunt dolore quia quas quia. Ex quo ut cumque.

Velit ipsa porro ipsam officiis. Blanditiis quisquam dignissimos eos ipsam ut ut. Ipsam deleniti eum dolor aut eos quia.

Est earum exercitationem quibusdam nesciunt deserunt aut. Aliquid tempore consequatur qui facilis. Et totam eius et voluptatem natus.

Vel dolorum odit officia doloremque. Harum molestias asperiores eius maiores velit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (68) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”