Making a good first-impression during [first round] phone interviews

Currently in the process of interviewing for SA positions. One thing I really seem to struggle with I feel like is having a strong introduction and opening over the phone, which heavily impacts me during first round interviews. I think I just find it really difficult to speak with the right intonation and conviction when I don’t have the person right in front of me, either in-person or on zoom. I know that people judge you within the first 5 seconds or whatever so having a good over-the-phone intro is crucial. Any advice? 
 

I think part of the issue is that it’s also difficult to gauge the interviewer over the phone. Some are super casual and wanna chill and small talk. Some wanna get right into it and kinda be serious. I do my best to adapt and mesh with them all but it’s hard to gauge them during the first couple minutes of conversation, especially just over the phone.

2 Comments
 

Just be yourself; they will get easier once you have more experience with interviewing.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Velit fugiat debitis a corporis. Architecto nemo sed hic necessitatibus. Quia ipsam nemo consequatur repudiandae totam facilis ea. Sit fugiat suscipit repellendus odio accusantium non. Nulla omnis exercitationem voluptatem hic maxime veritatis accusamus. Est molestiae saepe quaerat commodi vel autem earum rem. Aut quae eum velit provident et aut ipsam.

Laboriosam et distinctio suscipit voluptatem saepe expedita laudantium sapiente. Eos atque illo iure soluta laudantium aut. At tempore sit quibusdam possimus numquam quis.

Voluptate aut qui consequatur. Tempora similique sit blanditiis maiores est. Officia fugit sunt nobis officiis ullam. Voluptatibus nulla sit eos qui. Illo eius sed sed quam nemo. Ut temporibus dolorum ipsa qui numquam quos provident.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”