Introduction

Hi everyone! I’m excited to join the WSO community. I’m currently exploring career opportunities in finance and looking to deepen my understanding of the industry, particularly recruiting, networking, and career development.

I joined WSO to learn from professionals and students who have firsthand experience in the field. I’m hoping to gain practical advice on building the right skills, preparing for interviews, improving my résumé, and navigating different career paths within finance.

I look forward to connecting with the community, learning from your experiences, and contributing wherever I can. Thanks for having me!

Region
2 Comments
 

Welcome to the WSO community! It’s great to see your enthusiasm for diving into the world of finance. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some quick tips to get you started on the right track:

  1. Networking: Build a strong network by reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn, attending career fairs, and leveraging alumni connections. Treat every networking call like a mini-interview—be prepared to discuss your background and show genuine interest in their work.

  2. Skill Development: Focus on technical skills like financial modeling, Excel, and Python. Certifications like the CFA or SIE can also boost your profile, but timing is key—don’t rush into exams if it conflicts with other priorities like GPA or internships.

  3. Résumé Prep: Tailor your résumé to highlight relevant experiences, even if they’re not directly in finance. For example, involvement in an investment club or endowment fund can stand out. Consider professional résumé reviews for a polished look.

  4. Interview Prep: Be ready for both technical and behavioral questions. Practice your technicals thoroughly and have a few investment pitches or case studies prepared to showcase your passion and knowledge.

  5. Persistence: Breaking into finance, especially from a non-target background, can be challenging. Stay optimistic, learn from rejections, and keep pushing forward. Many professionals pivoted into finance through persistence and strategic moves.

Feel free to ask specific questions or share your progress—this community is here to help!

Sources: Career in Finance - Reality or Reach?, In Search of Wisdom, 21 Finance Interview Questions and Answers, Ask CompBanker, Corporate Finance Q&A with accountingbyday, BJM85, STorIB, and djfiii

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

Ex sapiente veritatis cumque quidem neque doloremque placeat officia. Similique iusto sint aut modi omnis. Incidunt esse expedita dolorum a nobis sint quo consequuntur. Sed dolorem molestiae et consectetur illo voluptatem deserunt. Ut velit commodi quia. Tempore nesciunt facilis labore porro sed.

Voluptas neque et dolorem dolorem. Quos optio animi dignissimos delectus dolores voluptatem rerum. Dolor eos voluptatem sapiente suscipit. Itaque delectus accusamus nihil iure unde sit id eum.

Ut ut consequatur dignissimos voluptatum molestias. Sapiente dicta sit molestiae. Iusto est doloremque et eos eius. Sunt in ullam qui consequatur ipsam neque aut. Omnis beatae illo perferendis doloribus incidunt laboriosam. Velit voluptates beatae qui doloribus commodi aperiam. Et dolores hic sapiente rerum assumenda.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (17) $409
  • Associates (58) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”