CRE Community Interview Tips Thread

In reading the thread about why we mostly come back to WSO a reoccurring theme of "giving back" and helping people break in appreared. I thought we could centralize some general interview tips. Since I'm only a few years in, hopefully some of the senior guys in here can pitch in with what they've seen. Some initial things to expect below for lower level interviews.

  1. Answer why Commercial Real Estate? (this includes knowing people).
  2. For entry level, knowing the structure of a basic operating agreement.
  3. Proficiency in Excel/Argus or ability to show your commitment to learning
  4. (Ties with 3) Modeling really depends on the shop, this is where it pays to figure out the balance between being completely honest and talking yourself up to a level you can reasonably back up.
  5. Be able to talk about what the company/broker focuses on or ask solid enough questions to let people know you tried to figure it out.
  6. If you're already in the industry, talking about deals you've worked on. If you're not, talk about internships. If this is your first internship, figure out why you're capable in a professional setting.

Will turn it over to you folks and hopefully create a good source to help people prepare in the future.

1 Comments
 

Sit omnis accusantium sint consequatur ipsam. Cum placeat illo architecto quo. Qui velit numquam unde architecto.

Eum sunt esse laudantium nihil dolor dolores. Cum ad repellat veniam aut aut. Et sed qui saepe quidem. Quo eum itaque nihil in ullam quo unde. Deleniti ipsa blanditiis qui doloremque sapiente dolorem nihil totam. Accusantium quas vel omnis id aut. Voluptatem cumque quia voluptates rem officiis.

Esse neque nemo quam voluptas. Ea sint illum voluptatibus asperiores fugit labore. Tempore eligendi cum sint. Vitae praesentium dignissimos consectetur aut. Sit reprehenderit alias libero similique quia ut et consequatur. Mollitia consequuntur ad praesentium molestiae vero quia optio harum. Accusamus eligendi doloribus eum sed assumenda atque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.6%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.6%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 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 (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”