How Do I Get Into Investment Banking?

With lucrative salary packages, unmatchable perks, and a luxuriant lifestyle, investment banking makes one of the most desirable jobs in the financial services industry. Investment bankers, enjoy one of the most sought-after employment perks. At an entry-level, investment bankers can get up to $1mn.

This surely isn’t easy to come by in any other job. A career in investment banking is demanding at the same time, with an extensive set of skills required for the job.  So how does one get into investment banking?

Taking the traditional route to investment banking

First thing first, you need to have a strong analytical, business, and logical mindset. Though, a background in finance is hugely favorable, it is not mandatory. Investment banks and corporates today are looking for diversity in workforce and hence are open to hiring people for investment banking roles, as long as they possess the skillset to perform and achieve targets. Number crunching, reaching out to prospective clients, researching investment opportunities for clients, and help them to increase return on their investment are few of their job responsibilities.

Becoming an Investment banking Analyst

Investment banking Analyst is the most common role for which investment bank and corporates hire. If you’re an undergraduate, you will require a strong knowledge of business operations, numerical & analytical, and good communication skills.
A strong knowledge of financial market, merger & acquisition, and significant knowledge of private equity will help you crack interviews easily. For those, who don’t have an academic background in finance or business, taking investment banking certifications is a good option to acquire skills.

Taking an operation role in investment banking

Other than an Analyst, you can go for operations role, where a pursuant is required to carry out documentation, record transactions, and other related to ongoing deals. This could be an entry-level role for candidates who have not yet gained skills for investment banker role.

Moving from corporate investment banking

The other popular option to get into investment banking is via corporate investment banking. For this role, you need to mandatorily have an MBA with a specialization in finance. Companies hire to support their investment strategy. However, the role doesn’t entail the function of an investment banker. For instance, business development, bringing clients, and other responsibilities aren’t a part of this role. You get good exposure to investment-related activities which can facilitate the transition to investment banking role. Additionally, taking investment banking certification will further help.

The above-mentioned ways are prominent ways to make way to a career in investment banking. Remember, these are just means by which you can smoothly transition, however, as entry into investment banking has been lowered, banks are seeking candidates who come with strong analytical and numerical skills. So while you are looking forward to being an investment banker, work on your skills and continue to hone them, as investment banking has been a competitive field to get into.  At the same time, keep learning about the stock exchange, financial market, latest merger and acquisition deals. This will give you an edge over other candidates.

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