Landing a position in investment banking is one of the most competitive pursuits in finance. However, understanding the recruitment process and preparing strategically can significantly increase your chances of success. Whether you’re an undergraduate student or an MBA candidate, mastering these critical steps to becoming an investment banker will set you on the path to a rewarding career on Wall Street.
Build Your Foundation Early
The first step to becoming an investment banker begin long before you submit your first application. For undergraduates, recruiting starts as early as sophomore year—often 12+ months before your target internship. Focus on maintaining a strong GPA (typically 3.5+ at top firms) and securing early internships, even at smaller firms. MBA candidates should leverage their pre-business school experience, emphasizing leadership roles and quantifiable achievements from Fortune 500 companies or finance-related positions.
Networking is equally crucial. Attend information sessions, reach out to alumni for informational interviews, and build genuine relationships with professionals at target firms. A strong referral can pull your resume from thousands of applications and get you noticed.
Master the Technical Knowledge
Beyond textbook knowledge, your next step to becoming an investment banker is to join investment banking programs. Programs like InfoGate Financial Investment Bank Academy teach you to pitch deals and build pitch decks—the actual work product investment bankers create daily. Pitching deals demonstrates your ability to synthesize financial analysis, understand strategic rationale, and communicate recommendations persuasively. Building pitch decks shows you can translate complex valuations and market insights into client-ready presentations. When interviewers ask about your experience, being able to discuss a deal you’ve pitched—complete with valuation work and strategic positioning—proves you understand the role beyond theory and are ready to contribute from day one.
Perfect Your Story and Behavioral Responses
Banks aren’t just hiring technical skills; they’re hiring people they want to work with for 80-100 hours per week. Behavioral interviews assess your motivation, cultural fit, and resilience. Craft a compelling narrative for “Why investment banking?” and “Why our bank?” that goes beyond compensation and demonstrates genuine passion for finance and deal-making.
Your next step to becoming an investment banker should be to prepare 3-5 versatile stories using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) that showcase teamwork, leadership, problem-solving under pressure, and ethical decision-making. Practice these until they sound natural, not rehearsed. For undergrads, focus on demonstrating coachability and work ethic. MBA candidates should emphasize leadership maturity and long-term commitment to the industry.
Conquer the Superday
The final step to becoming an investment banker culminate in the Superday—a marathon of 3-6 back-to-back interviews with bankers ranging from analysts to managing directors. This is where technical knowledge, behavioral polish, and cultural fit converge.
Maintain consistent energy throughout the day, even if one interview goes poorly. Each interviewer carries equal weight. Know your resume inside and out, as any detail could spark deeper questioning. Prepare thoughtful questions for each interviewer that demonstrate genuine interest in their experience and the firm’s recent deals.
Remember: by the Superday, they’ve already vetted your competencies. Now they’re answering, “Would I want this person on my team?” Stay energetic, positive, and authentic.
Take Action to Stand Out
Following these steps to becoming an investment banker gives you a strong foundation, but the competition remains fierce. To truly differentiate yourself and prove to recruiters that you can hit the ground running, consider joining the InfoGate Financial Investment Bank Academy.
This specialized program will teach you how to pitch a deal—a critical skill that demonstrates you understand the core work product of investment banking. Recruiters want candidates who can contribute from day one, and showing you’ve already developed deal execution skills will set you apart from hundreds of other qualified applicants.
The path to investment banking is demanding, but with early preparation, technical mastery, compelling storytelling, and specialized training, you can secure your place in this prestigious and rewarding career. Start your journey today.