Actual IBD job requirements at EBs

Here are the actual requirements (even for DEI candidates, who are in a different "bucket" of candidates) for recruiting at my top EB (PJT/CVP/LAZ/EVR). Any candidates who do not meet these requirements, even if their dad is a MD gets rejected outright.

Exhaustive List:

- Attend a US T15/Ivy or a UK T5 (Not US News rankings but their own internal list, as schools like WashU, Northwestern, UCB and Caltech don't make the cut)

- Have at least 3.6 GPA or a 2.1 (UK)

- Be at least 6'1 (for men) or 5'9 (for women)

- Have family connections who are able to bring in M&A/CM/RX deals

- Be rated an average of 9/10 on physical attractiveness by a selected committee of both genders who work at the EB (they tend to prefer eurocentric features, so even 10/10 (subjectively) minorities get rejected)

- Played at least 1 sport in high school or college to a state level 

- Are well groomed and dressed, with conventional hairstyles for men and long, straight hair for women. Men with long hair or women with dreadlocks have been rejected solely on that basis

- Speaks English without a ethnic/regional accent, candidates with heavy Southern or African accents have been rejected. Conventional British accents are acceptable

- Is "in the know" when it comes to political, social and cultural concepts.

- Dresses well, with a list of articles of clothing or brands that mandate an instant rejection (retail/clearance brands, dated/unconventional styles, banned colors and materials) 

- Was in a top-tier (nationwide top 8) fraternity or sorority (US students) and held a leadership position within their chapter

- Free of physical, verbal or mental disabilities (veterans with disabilities are excluded)

Some of these things are not well known in the industry and I just wanted to share these requirements that we've been required to filter candidates by from the C-Suite (who told HR to f*ck themselves when they complained about dreadlocks, disabilities, accents being discriminatory). In short, not every shop will have these requirements, but the smaller and most "elite" ones will, especially for their flagship groups (usually RX/M&A).

3 Comments
 

Illum porro commodi ad. Iste enim corrupti velit quis sed.

Doloribus quia eos delectus est eum. Non et nihil soluta laborum animi cupiditate eos.

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 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 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 (77) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (71) $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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”