Why Investment Banking?

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274808087
274808087

If you’re preparing to get into investment banking, you must prepare yourself to answer ‘why investment banking’. This is a quintessential question that is asked to all investment banking roles, especially for junior roles.

Interviewers ask this question to see if the candidate understands the realities of the investment banking industry, the scope of the role, and the extent to which a candidate is committed to the work. Further, this question is a yardstick to gauge the candidate’s commitment to the industry and see if she is aware of the full range of challenges involved.

 Why is this important? 

“Why investment banking” or why do you want to become an investment banker” is difficult to answer because they are general questions, which often result in candidates giving generic answers. Aspiring investment bankers repeat the same answer. Typically, their answer revolves around the following –

– Opportunities to learn

– Enjoy a fast-paced environment

– Great mathematical skills

– The aspiration to work with motivated people
These answers sound reasonable but are quite typical.

This question is challenging to answer because you need to showcase your knowledge of yourself, the role, and the industry as succinctly as possible.

You need to prepare yourself to answer this question.

While answering the question, you need to show that you have personally thought through the answer. Essentially, the interviewers need to know why did you decide to work in investment banking and not why anyone else wants you to work in investment banking, or what you know about the industry or your abilities.

The interviewer wants to know why investment banking appeals to you as an individual. So you have to be specific and particular about your answer.

 What do you need to say? 

There are essentially three points an interviewer pays attention to when you answer this question.

  • You know the industry
  • You are aware of the responsibilities
  • You understand yourself
  1. You know the industry 

Investment banking is a highly fast-paced and professionals spend a longer time than average in the industry at work. The impact of investment banking is global and affects economies and industries.

Investment banking professionals interact with high-profile business leaders. When you answer the question the interviewer wants to see if you understand the scale, power, and impact investment banking has on the world.

  1. You understand your responsibilities

Investment banking professionals put in long hours at work. They work often extends to midnight. Often work is delegated at the last minute and comes with large workloads. You need to be ready to take the work as it comes.

To perform effectively in your work, you need to understand data, financial engineering, market prediction, and have good communication skills including time management, attention to detail, and interpersonal skills.

The interviewer wants to see if you’re familiar with your responsibilities and how have you prepared to take on the challenges of the role. If you have taken internships, investment banking certifications, or workshops, mentioning demonstrates your zeal and commitment to the role.

  1. You understand yourself

All careers are goal-oriented. The interviewer wants to know how working in investment banking will help you attain your personal goals and make your content.

The interview wants to know why you are interviewing for a position in investment banking and that you see yourself fulfilling responsibilities.

They also want you to know if you know how your skills and abilities fit in the achievement of the goals of the bank and how your skills align with the demand of the role. You applied for the role for a specific reason –this question will find out if your aspirations align rightly with the role.

All in all, ‘why investment banking’ seeks to see how prepared a candidate is for an investment banking job. Answering this question well can make the difference between getting a job offer or not.

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