Working in the field of investment banking can be a great career, provided that the individual is willing to undergo the training and endure what can sometimes be a stringent process for finding, applying and ultimately securing the desired position with an investment bank. Considered one of the most difficult types of financial employment to enter, applicants must be able to prove they have the necessary educational credentials as well as the innate skills to function within the culture of the bank. At times this may mean taking on a less than desirable position in the hope of later gaining promotion within the corporate structure.
Before ever applying for a job at an investment bank, achieving a high standard of both formal education and practical experience is essential. Securing a degree in finance that will translate well into investment banking and perhaps taking on a part time job at a commercial bank, for the sake of experience, might be advantageous. The combination of educational expertise plus a background of working within a financial institution can make a prospective employer think twice before moving on to the next candidate.
Taking some time to learn more about the employer will often go a long way toward paving the way for landing that desired position. This is true when seeking to secure work with a locally owned investment bank in Nepal or Canada or with larger companies such as Jeffries or UBS Investment Bank. Including a sentence or two that indicates at least some degree of familiarity with the bank concerned in the cover letter with the application, as well as speaking knowledgeably about the bank’s mission statement or its suite of services during the interview will indicate that the applicant is interested in being a part of the organisation and making a difference, not merely securing a regular source of income.
Considering what type of investment banking job may be the best fit for the applicant’s skill set is also crucial. Not everyone is cut out to be an investment banker. Some applicants may be better suited to ancillary roles, such as providing support with merges and acquisitions, working with clients interested in capital markets, information technology or even rating related to the different types of investment markets. All these positions, as well as many others, are crucial to the life of the investment bank and the support of its clientele.
It should always be borne in mind that, along with traditional investment banks, the ability to secure remote work with an online investment bank may be a possibility. This means someone living in China may be able to successfully work for a European investment bank, particularly if that individual is well versed in current technology as well as banking and investment laws and regulations.
Above all, landing a job at an investment bank requires demonstrating a degree of personal decorum, the ability to think clearly in the event of a crisis and deal with stress on a daily basis. Life in an investment bank is often fast-paced and not for the squeamish. By being able to convey to prospective employers that they have these qualities, applicants are much more likely to successfully complete the interview process and secure the type of job they are looking for.
