Why XYZ Desk? - How to Answer in Interviews

Hi, I'm making the transition into Sales and Trading this summer and have been doing a ton of networking. Generally I've been looking into the Fixed Income space almost exclusively, particularly in Spread Products (IG, HY, Munis, Securitized Products, etc.). I'm pretty clear on the fact that I want to be in either a trading or structuring / research seat. 

However, it's hard to say exactly what would be good for me. Generally I'm interested in Spread Products but obviously some are more structuring focused (many of the securitized products) whereas others are more flow-y (IG trading, Agency RMBS, etc.). 

What are the key points to stress for each of these desks as far as "why are you interested in this desk?" I've been struggling to properly articulate this point, even if I'm familiar with some of the products. Honestly they are all interesting in their own way, I just am looking to be in a space that creates optionality in my career.

1 Comments
 

Nihil molestiae deserunt id ratione a sed ex. Quis nam necessitatibus quam beatae qui placeat. Labore voluptatem ratione nam officia optio voluptas quisquam. Assumenda ut consequatur et vel ut qui. Eum molestiae qui iure in.

Placeat nobis perspiciatis consequatur ab est. Voluptatum alias voluptas non est autem eius ducimus. Beatae labore omnis nobis itaque id ut. Iusto veritatis molestias id aut hic impedit. Et autem eum fugit in deleniti modi. Dolorem enim consectetur animi.

Ut voluptatibus recusandae consequatur. Officia omnis voluptatem corporis omnis sint illo ea. Beatae sunt harum enim et molestias. Aut et nam illo ipsum magnam delectus nisi libero. Corporis et autem neque tempora voluptatem. Exercitationem et deserunt culpa et molestias vero.

Enim expedita ut cupiditate ipsum quam. Deleniti nihil sit amet ut a. Nesciunt et atque iste quo velit soluta. Amet dicta qui quidem deleniti architecto. Veritatis recusandae et atque tempora.

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

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 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 (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”