Last updated on Apr 17, 2024
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Research the firm
2
Prepare your pitch
3
Ask smart questions
4
Follow up and stay in touch
6
Be yourself and be enthusiastic
7
Here’s what else to consider
If you are interested in pursuing a career in investment banking, you know how competitive and demanding the industry is. You need to stand out from hundreds of other candidates who have similar qualifications and skills. How can you make a lasting impression with investment bankers, whether you are networking, applying, or interviewing for a job? Here are some tips to help you succeed.
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- Armel AHIDAZAN Investors Relations Manager
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- Álvaro Aguilar Director of Strategy and Investor Relations at Moneysupermarket Group
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1 Research the firm
Before you contact or meet any investment banker, you should do your homework on the firm they work for. You should know the firm's history, culture, values, strengths, and recent deals. You should also research the specific division or group you are interested in, and the role and responsibilities you are applying for. This will show that you are genuinely interested in the firm, and that you have done your due diligence.
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- Armel AHIDAZAN Investors Relations Manager
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Your due diligence on the firm's history, culture, and recent deals displays are a "must have". To strengthen this approach, you can for instance browse deeper into the firm's future goals, recent market trends affecting its operations, and any innovative strategies or initiatives they've undertook. Understanding their challenges and how your skills align with their objectives can demonstrate your proactive mindset and potential value-add.
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- Álvaro Aguilar Director of Strategy and Investor Relations at Moneysupermarket Group
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In my experience learning about the specific division is as important as researching the firm. Different areas of a bank can be very very different between them. Even the typology of clients for the sales and trading divisions, investment banking division and corporate broking will be absolutely different (money managers for the former and corporates for the later). Don't limit your research to the firm as Banks can be quite big, and try to spend some time research the specific division you are interested in.
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2 Prepare your pitch
Investment bankers are busy and have short attention spans. You need to be able to pitch yourself in a clear, concise, and compelling way. You should have a 30-second elevator pitch that summarizes your background, skills, achievements, and goals. You should also have a longer version that expands on your pitch with relevant examples and stories. You should tailor your pitch to the specific firm, group, and role you are targeting, and highlight how you can add value to them.
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- Armel AHIDAZAN Investors Relations Manager
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Crafting a concise elevator pitch is crucial. Additionally, you can consider incorporating measurable outcomes from your previous experiences. Quantifiable achievements help solidify your credibility. Tailoring your pitch goes beyond merely referencing the firm. Furthermore demonstrating an understanding of their unique challenges or recent successes and how your background positions you as a solution to their needs.
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- Álvaro Aguilar Director of Strategy and Investor Relations at Moneysupermarket Group
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One resource I always find helpful when preparing a personal pitch are job descriptions. If you cannot get the specific job description for the opportunity you are pitching, a more general one for similar roles will be good too. Try to go through the requirements and nice to haves mentioned in the job description and think how you would add value and specific examples in your experience that demonstrate those skills.
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3 Ask smart questions
One of the best ways to make a lasting impression with investment bankers is to ask smart questions. Smart questions are those that demonstrate your curiosity, knowledge, and enthusiasm for the industry and the firm. They are also those that elicit meaningful and insightful answers from the investment bankers. You should avoid asking generic, obvious, or easily searchable questions. Instead, you should ask questions that show your interest in the investment banker's personal experience, opinions, and advice.
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- Armel AHIDAZAN Investors Relations Manager
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"Strive to strike" you must be prepared. Your questions should be balanced between industry-related topics and personal experiences of the bankers. Also you should asked questions regarding the firm, you can try to target the recent deals and explore how these transactions align with their long-term strategies. Personalized questions that highlight your understanding of their challenges can lead to more insightful conversations.
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Comment as a professional investment.Ask smart questions: One of the best ways to make a lasting impression with investment bankers is to ask smart questions. Smart questions are those that demonstrate your curiosity, knowledge, and enthusiasm for the industry and the firm. They are also those that elicit meaningful and insightful answers from the investment bankers. You should avoid asking generic, obvious, or easily searchable questions. Instead, you should ask questions that show your interest in the investment banker's personal experience, opinions, and advice
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4 Follow up and stay in touch
After you interact with any investment banker, whether it is through email, phone, or in person, you should always follow up and thank them for their time and attention. You should also express your interest in the firm and the role, and restate your main selling points. You should keep your follow-up messages short, polite, and professional. You should also stay in touch with the investment bankers you have connected with, and update them on your progress and achievements. This will show that you are persistent, proactive, and respectful.
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- Álvaro Aguilar Director of Strategy and Investor Relations at Moneysupermarket Group
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I have been properly impressed with the best follow up emails I have received in my career. The common characteristics with really good follow up emails I have seen are relevancy, value and conciseness. I would avoid a generic template that is only aimed at maintaining contact. A good follow up email will have a clear purpose, will share something of value and will create opportunities to connect. A good recent example from a research analyst covering my company covered why he was sending the email (new research being published), explained what he would be doing next that could be relevant for us (marketing with money managers) and gave the opportunity to get in touch with the team if we needed something.
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- Armel AHIDAZAN Investors Relations Manager
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Consider the timing and frequency of your follow-ups. It's essential not to appear overly persistent but enough to remain on their radar. When updating them on your progress, relate it to your potential contribution to their team. This reinforces your proactive nature and keeps you connected without being intrusive.
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5 Showcase your skills and personality
Investment banking is a skill-intensive and personality-driven industry. You need to showcase your technical, analytical, and communication skills, as well as your fit with the firm's culture and values. You should prepare for common investment banking questions, such as valuation methods, financial modeling, deal analysis, and market trends. You should also prepare for behavioral questions, such as your strengths, weaknesses, failures, and successes. You should answer these questions with confidence, clarity, and logic, and use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
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6 Be yourself and be enthusiastic
Finally, you should be yourself and be enthusiastic when interacting with investment bankers. You should not try to be someone you are not, or pretend to know something you don't. You should be honest, humble, and authentic, and show your passion and motivation for investment banking. You should also be positive, friendly, and respectful, and show your interest and appreciation for the investment bankers. You should smile, make eye contact, and use appropriate body language. You should also have a sense of humor, and be able to handle stress and pressure.
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- Armel AHIDAZAN Investors Relations Manager
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Authenticity is key. Emphasize your genuine interest in investment banking and share anecdotes that reflect your passion for the industry. Showcase your ability to maintain composure under pressure while fostering a positive and collaborative environment. Authentic enthusiasm combined with professionalism can leave a lasting impression.
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- Amber Phipps Realestate investors at Ar home Builders
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Have an investment strategy and Of course have some investment capital. Be knowledgeable about who your speaking to and be yourself.
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7 Here’s what else to consider
This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?
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- Robert Harris 100 Gems Podcast Host
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Have a complete File of your Business and Personal Financial Profile, this will eliminate or greatly reduce the underwriting or pre approval process allowing you to be assertive and confident that the product you want, you will get!
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