Answer to Why Investment Sales Interview Question?

I was wondering if someone could help me come up with an answer for why investment sales. I have an interview on Monday with HFF. I really want to work in the debt and equity financing part of real estate but understand that investment sales is a start. So far my answer would be "because of the opportunity to lead multi-million dollar transactions" and I would name a few of their deals. What do you think? What would be the A+ answer. Thanks in advance for any help.

4 Comments
 
Most Helpful

You want to specialize and be an expert in one specific asset class. You want to do a deep dive in your market and know it better than anyone else. You like working in an advisory role that leads to the trading of significant assets in your given market.

IS is really becoming an expert at X asset class in Y geographical market. This is big at HFF. Also talk about working well with others. They’re pretty cool about giving you some thiccc referral fees. Let’s say you’re an office broker, if you get a retail lead you’ll be well compensated for handing it off to the retail person in your office. Likewise for geographic referrals (if you’re in NY and refer to LA, etc)

“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” - Nassim Taleb
 

Possimus sit sed cum architecto. Sit reiciendis id ut pariatur. Explicabo nesciunt reprehenderit aut quis quasi.

Illo aliquam sit saepe quod. Quis aliquid ea eos ut deleniti. Quaerat aut aliquid quos eaque autem id numquam aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”