A lot of people want to get into investment banking, but it’s not always easy if you don’t know what you’re doing. In order to get an internship at an investment bank, you need to do your research and make sure you apply for the right ones! Learn how to navigate your way through this process with these five steps toward landing that investment banking position you desire. These tips will be useful whether you have no experience or have been working in finance for years and are trying to break into this competitive field.
1) Get your degree from a target school
Investment banking is a competitive field, so the best way to get your foot in the door is by having a degree from one of the schools that investment banks typically recruit from. In order to make this happen, you'll need good grades and an internship at a reputable company. You should also consider developing an interest in finance or economics early on.
2) Do an internship
One way to get into investment banking is to do an internship. Internships help you learn the ins and outs of the industry, and they can also lead to a full-time offer if the company likes what they see. The amount of time you spend at the company in your intern role can be crucial: some companies will only hire those who have been interns for at least six months. If there’s no guarantee that an internship will turn into a full-time job, then it might not be worth taking time off from your current job in order to do it.
3) Join a professional organization
Joining a professional organization is one of the best ways to get exposure to the industry and network with professionals in your field. If you can't find an organization that supports your field, then create your own association. The next step is getting a mentor: A good way to do this is by finding someone who's been in the industry before, who can give you advice on how to break into it.
4) Attend industry events
Attending industry events is a great way to network and learn more about your desired profession. Connect with people in the field, such as alumni or current employees. Networking is an essential part of any job search, so take advantage of these events to meet potential mentors and get advice on how to make it into investment banking.
5) Stay up to date with industry news
There are many ways to stay up to date with investment banking industry news, from blogs and newsletters to social media. The most important thing is to have a plan in place so that you know how and when you will learn about new developments. A useful tip is to follow certain people on Twitter who can help keep you up-to-date with what's happening in the industry.
Keep an eye on your personal finances: Paying attention to your personal finances can help determine if you need more work experience or qualifications before applying for jobs at top firms or trying out different sectors of the market.