I’ve got my first investment banking summer analyst interview coming up this week and I’m pretty nervous about it. The interview is going to be conducted over video call. I’m wondering what kinds of things I should focus on while preparing. Should I expect any technical questions during this initial interview round? What specific topics or question types would be most important to review beforehand? I want to make sure I’m as prepared as possible. Any tips or guidance would be really appreciated. Thank you!
Don’t just focus on technical stuff - you need to research the industry and the specific firm too. Yeah, first rounds are mostly behavioral, but you’ll stand out if you’ve done your homework on their recent deals, market position, and company culture. Really dig into their key sectors and recent transactions since interviewers love when you can actually talk about their work. Prepare smart questions that show you understand the business and have thought about your career path. Practice telling your story with concrete examples that demonstrate how you think analytically and handle pressure. For video interviews, make sure you’re looking at the camera (not the screen) and bring energy to your voice since it’s harder to connect through a screen. Be ready for market discussions too - some interviewers will test your knowledge of current financial events or ask what you think about industry trends affecting their business.
Had my first IB interview last summer - they kept it pretty light on technical stuff in round one. Mostly behavioral questions and why you want the job. Still worth knowing basic valuation methods though, just in case! What really helped was nailing my “walk me through your resume” story. Practice it until it sounds natural. Also have solid teamwork and leadership examples ready - they eat that stuff up. Test your video setup beforehand since that format’s tricky. You’ve got this!
Congrats on your upcoming interview! Focus on your elevator pitch and review key financial concepts. Research the bank’s culture and prepare great questions. You’ve got this—just stay confident and positive!
the video format was way harder than the actual questions for me. get your lighting right and sit close to the camera - you’ll look more engaged. definitely prep for “why this bank” since they always ask it, but most people give boring generic answers. find something specific about their recent deals or culture that actually interests you.
Tech prep really depends on the firm and who’s interviewing you. Most first rounds are heavy on behavioral stuff, but about 30-40% of people get hit with basic technical questions - simple DCF logic or market multiples. Don’t just stick to standard prep though. You need to show you’re actually interested in finance with real examples - internships, classes you’ve taken, or if you invest your own money. Practice explaining complicated stuff in simple terms since they’ll often test how well you communicate by making you break down financial concepts. For video interviews, clear out distractions and have backup internet ready. Most important thing - come with solid questions about their training programs and how people advance. Shows you’re serious about the role.