Updated October 7, 2023
Top 10 Investment Banking Interview Mistakes
Here are the top 10 mistakes to avoid during an investment banking interview:
Mistake # 1 – Lack of Preparation
It tops the list of Investment Banking Interview Mistakes. Most of the candidates need to prepare for facing the Investment Banking interview. The problem lies with the technical questions. The Candidate needs to be ready with the technical questions, as these questions are the base for testing the Candidate’s candidature.
What you can do is study and understand the concepts properly. Do thorough practice in answering the questions.
Mistake # 2 – Too Prepared
Second on the list of Investment Banking Interview Mistakes is being too prepared. Candidates memorize the answers to the level that, for the interviewer, it becomes straightforward to identify whether the Candidate is speaking naturally or just giving a by-hearted story.
An Interview has to be a conversation and not acting from the Candidate’s side.
You can consider points while preparing but not the word-to-word story.
Mistake # 3 – Shorted Your Stories
Some Candidates tend to tell huge success or failure-based stories, which is, of course, not desired. The interviewer is away from your stories.
Formulate your answers shortly. Always be specific and include related information in your speech.
Be polite while describing your experiences; don’t show off.
Mistake #4 – The Way You Carry Yourself
If you show or look non-interested in the interview process, then your selection chances are zero. How you carry yourself or appear to the other person is very impactful.
To diagnose this, you can find out the reason behind this:
- Either you are well prepared, but you feel or look nervous.
- Or, you are attending the interview just for the sake of somebody saying you to do so.
Diagnose the problem with you; be self-inspired and confident in your acts.
Mistake #5 – Absence of Professionalism
These are the easiest Investment Banking interview mistakes to avoid. Always remember that the First impression is the last impression. You won’t get a second opportunity to make a first impression. So it would help if you arrived on time rather than sometime before the interview with proper professional attire.
Mistake #6 – Boring Answers
Sometimes, candidates’ answers become so repetitive or obvious that the interviewer finds them boring. Hence, your chances of getting selected are reduced drastically if you don’t have unique ideas.
Do a lot of reading and analysis, and discover the unique factors that set you apart. And then formulate all your answers.
Mistake #7 – Haphazard or no Research of the Company
If you are appearing for the investment banking interview and need to do more research on the organization you are applying to, you are committing a big mistake. One should do a proper company analysis, its competitors and market position, etc.
Mistake # 8 – Poor Listener
Sometimes, the candidate gets so busy answering that they tend to ignore or are unable to listen or understand the interviewer’s essential clues, which may prove helpful to the Candidate.
Always have listening powers, and be attentive to what the interviewer is saying.
Mistake # 9 – Minute Matters a Lot
Always be thorough with your CV. You should be aware of the matter you have written in your CV.
Mistake # 10 – Criticizing your Current Organization
It is again one of the critical Investment Banking Interview Mistakes to avoid. If you are looking for a job change, you should not complain about the previous job, the employer, or the surroundings. Instead, relate the positive facts that will help you if you get selected for the job role.
