Investment Banking Associate Interview - Boutique Firm Toronto

I have an interview coming up for an associate position with the Managing Partner/CEO at a Boutique firm in downtown Toronto.

I have a background in middle office market risk for securitization desk of which I switched out of to work in Corporate Development at a real estate firm as a senior analyst, this involved financial underwriting along with due diligence and preparing powerpoint decks and presenting to senior management with lots of interaction with clients.

I don't really know how to prepare for the interview so if someone can provide a few pointers I'd really appreciate it.

 

Is this an in-person interview or over the phone? I had an over the phone associate interview before and they didnt ask any technical questions. they were more concerned with the walk me through your resume and why IB? At the associate level they would probably expect you to be more polished than someone for an analyst position.

Expect technical questions regardless, be able to walk them through your resume, what the spark was that led you to IB and why you want to do IB. I would try to find a way to explain that each job you took was a way to get you one step closer to IB and/or better prepare you for an IB role. Also be ready to explain why this bank in particular is one you want to work for.

 

This is an in person interview with the managing partner. I checked my application and it was for the analyst role but in the email they are considering me for an associate level role. Mind you I have not worked in an IB before so I was caught a bit off guard by it.

Were you able to secure the role of an associate? If any, what were key take aways from the interview you could comment on? I just purchased the WSO IB prep planning on going through behavioral and technical of it

 

I didnt make it past the phone interview for that. I am currently working on landing a fall intern position either as an analyst or associate. Not sure which it would be yet.

Id just make your "story" on why investment banking fairly short. You dont want to run on an on and lose their interest. Be good with walking through your resume and be able to tie your experience at your jobs to what is expected of you as an associate at this bank.

Aside from purchasing the IB prep you still can google search or even search on here what types of technical questions they might ask.

 

So it's actually an IB analyst role (Gravitas Securities) Is anyone familiar with there compensation structure? interview structure? and now I'm unsure if I should still pursue it. I have looked at the firm and all the deals on there website are less than $15m. Would it be fair to expect a low base + low bonus potential due to low deal flow?

I'm currently a senior analyst in corporate development at a seniors housing REIT so very confused If I should start IB as an analyst.

Education - Currently enrolled in MFIN + CFA level III Candidate

 

Not sure on that one. Maybe someone else can give their 2 cents. Me personally I have an MBA but no investment banking experience and I am considering IB roles all the way down to unpaid internships as an analyst or associate just to get my foot in the door. If you know you want to do IB over anything else and have no other opportunities I would take an analyst role. This bank not having big deals is another thing to consider. I am not sure. The bank may be on glassdoor so I would check that to see if they have any analyst salaries posted.

 

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