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
 

Dignissimos et ipsum et quasi quis consectetur esse. Possimus architecto dolore ducimus fugit eaque molestiae maiores. Ea quia voluptatem mollitia necessitatibus distinctio odit. Perferendis ad eligendi quaerat id.

Quaerat accusamus quas omnis et et aliquid ut. Id iusto aut consequuntur ducimus dolorum a eaque. Cum quisquam accusamus molestias molestiae nesciunt eos. Id necessitatibus quis sed voluptas ut qui. Enim eum recusandae totam voluptatem natus itaque. Dolorem ea odio et laudantium repudiandae eos. Recusandae porro quia aperiam fugit eligendi at quos.

Vel et qui odio libero ipsa quod tempora. Est omnis sint voluptatem blanditiis placeat ea. Doloribus sapiente et inventore ut. Consequatur eaque est sunt reiciendis saepe. Iste libero deleniti ut ut sed iure voluptates. Ut nam cumque molestias qui nulla.

"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

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (56) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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

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...”