Questions to ask in IB interviews?

Just curious as I'm interviewing, for Associates, what kind of questions do you usually ask in interviews?

Honestly, I feel like I know what the job is and what different firms do. So apart from asking about the team strucure, culture, dealflow, staffing and interviewer background, not that many smart questions to ask..

What kind of questions do you guys ask that you feel will make you gain points in interviews?

2 Comments
 

To stand out in IB interviews, asking thoughtful and insightful questions is key. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some categories and examples of questions you can ask:

Firm Culture and Team Dynamics

  • "How would you describe the culture here? Is it more team-oriented or autonomous?"
  • "What characteristics do you value most in your co-workers?"
  • "What influenced your decision to stay with the firm for the longer term?" (If the interviewer is a direct-promote associate)

Role and Responsibilities

  • "If I were to join the team, what responsibilities would you expect me to take on in my first few months?"
  • "What are the key skills or qualities that make someone successful in this role at your firm?"

Deal Experience

  • "Can you talk about your role in the last [M&A, ECM, DCM] deal you worked on and what you learned from it?"
  • "I saw the bank participated in [specific transaction]. If I were working on a similar deal, what responsibilities would you expect me to handle?"

Personal Insights

  • "Excluding the people you work with, what do you enjoy most about the job and the firm?"
  • "What has been the most surprising aspect of your experience here, good or bad?"

Future Outlook

  • "What are the next steps from here in the interview process?"
  • "How do you see the firm evolving over the next few years, and what opportunities do you think that creates for the team?"

Unique and Memorable

  • "If you could have lunch with three people, dead or alive, who would they be?" (This can add a personal touch and make the conversation more engaging.)

These questions not only demonstrate your interest in the role but also show that you've done your homework and are genuinely curious about the firm and its people.

Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/what-are-some-good-questions-to-ask-the-interviewer-at-the-end-of-the?customgpt=1, Investment Banking Interview Questions - 15 Answers to Land the Job, Q&A: Big 4 Consulting to Lower MM IB to MM IB (No MBA)., SA interviews – an interviewer’s perspective, J.P. Morgan 2019 IBD Video Interview

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Est blanditiis id tenetur molestiae aliquid. Provident in ducimus beatae. Eligendi consequatur deserunt tenetur exercitationem odio beatae ut aut.

Rerum officia ut ex dolorem laudantium cupiditate possimus. Illum maxime sapiente aut officiis. Minus natus cupiditate nobis rem est.

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 (50) $259
  • 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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”