Best answer to why IB
To all interviewers/bankers here,
What's the best answer you've heard/given for why IB that made you decide to give a candidate an offer/get an offer?
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There’s no singular answer, it should be tailored to your personal story. Your story should already answer that question as to why IB specifically and not something different. Take time getting comfortable articulating it in a coherent and succinct manner.
Agreed. I think the best answers have been the genuine answers.
Contrary to popular belief this is a check in the box question.
Tbh I usually zone out for "why IB" and as long as it sounds logical/reasonable thats good enough for me
Second the above - this is a check the box question unless your answer is 1) something unique/personal (IE family business was sold and you got to see IB from that perspective; or a cool hobby that you can somehow connect back to banking) 2) terrible (don't sound sure on what IB is... clear you've done minimal research)
If you touch on what exactly IB is and give any good reason why you'd want to do it, check, move on. Focus your attention on higher value questions
OP here. What would you say are the higher value questions?
Tell me about yourself is underrated. As an interviewer, I make a decision on a candidate in the first 5 minutes (assuming they don't go off the rails in the remaining 25) so your first question (that is guaranteed to be asked) should be your one-hitter. Make it punchy, personal, and relevant. If you can tie a quick personal hobby in or something to remember you by, great.
If I ask you to give me a 30 second overview of each of your internships or involvement those should also be easy questions. Lots of people struggle to put into words what they did (usually nothing as sophomore interns... so you need to think about how to phrase in advance)
The "any questions for me" section is also overlooked. Wrap up your interview with some strong questions, get the interviewer talking about themselves and not just generic crap about the culture
“The world of investment banking is intellectually stimulating and wonderous. I have wanted to be an investment banker since I was approximately 6 months old. The thought of running a DCF or spreading comps makes me fully chubbed - don’t look at my pants rn btw. I have always wanted to trade stonks, and stonks are initially how I found out about finance. I have already practiced staying up till 4am to sleep deprive myself, as well as contracting clinical depression to prep for the culture. I also do pregnancy yoga 4-5 times a week to prepare for the pounding my MD will give me. I have sacrificed my social life and even told my parents to stop talking to me so I will know the struggles of an investment banker. I have made it my sole being in this world to be an investment banking summer analyst so people will finally gawk In awe of my LinkedIn headline. I even skipped christmas this year so I could practice my technical questions. That is why I want to be an investment banker.”
ahahhhh so funny man!1!11
See it’s funny, but you’d be surprised by some of the hardo undergrads out there and the answers they give
Sorry if my sarcasm wasn't obvious. It's one of the most common types of shitposts on WSO, and thus not that funny
Don't give a try-hard answer because people will see right through your bullshit
"I care deeply about obtaining money and prestige, but lack either the creativity, risk tolerance, or intelligence to try obtain it somewhere else. This is why I am willing to slave away my 20s."
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