IB Recruiting: Tips and Tricks for Securing an Offer
SOPHIE JAEGER
Networking: Networking is key to securing an internship offer in any field or industry, but it is especially important in investment banking. Networking is a great tool to build relationships and get a sense of where you may fit best in terms of group and firm. Here are some tips from our WIB contributors:
Start Small: Julia Isaacman (‘26) recommends beginning your networking process with family friends, friends’ older siblings, and anyone else in your direct network. This allows you to have relatively low-stakes conversations early on and build your confidence before “cold emailing.” Another great idea is to speak to current Brown students who have secured summer internships and full-time offers to build your networking skills and have more “low stakes” conversations.
Leverage Brown’s Network: While Brown does not have a pre-professional reputation, there are hundreds of Brown alumni involved in investment banking and the finance sector as a whole. All of our WIB contributors suggested using tools like Linkedin and Brown Connect to cold email and connect with alumni at banks and groups you’re interested in.
Connect with Human Resources and Recruiters: While it’s extremely important to network with bankers, it’s also key to connect with human resources and recruiters at the bank you’re interested in. These people are often the ones facilitating the first two rounds of interviews, so it’s important to be on their radar as well. Avni Rajpal (‘26) believes that connecting with a recruiter was key to securing her internship.
Receive Mentorship through Diversity Programs: Applying to diversity programs is a great way to get ahead in your applications and secure second-round interviews. Isaacman, who participated in several diversity programs across different firms, attributed the mentorship she got through these programs to securing an offer from Goldman Sachs. Not only was she able to network with these mentors, but they also helped mock interview her and prepare her for behavioral and technical interview questions.
Create a Spreadsheet and Keep Soft Rankings: It’s a great idea to create a spreadsheet or document to keep track of who you’re talking to and where they work to stay organized. Isaacman also suggested keeping a list of soft rankings in your head of your top choices of where to work going into the interview process.
Write Thank You Notes: A quick thank you note or email goes a long way in leaving a lasting, positive impression. Make sure to do so after all of your calls.
Start Early: There are lots of components to a successful investment banking application: preparing your resume and application, networking with industrial professionals, and practicing technical and behavioral interview questions. All of our WIB contributors emphasized the importance of being on top of your applications and starting early. Here are some of their specific tips:
Apply for Sophomore Summer Analyst Programs: As discussed in the “What are the Steps in the Application Process?” investment banks have two main internship cycles (sophomore and junior programs). Rajpal, who is participating in a sophomore summer program, recommended applying for one of these programs if you’re interested in the field because although there are typically fewer spots, the questions tend to be more behavioral and less technical which can be easier to prepare for. Furthermore, the application windows between the sophomore and junior programs are only a span of months apart, so if you don’t get a sophomore analyst offer, you can put all of your connections and technical and behavioral skills to use in the next round of applications.
Apply for Diversity Programs: As women in the finance world, there are several opportunities to break in through bank-specific diversity programs, which one of our contributors Julia Isaacman participated in. These program deadlines are typically earlier but often allow you to get an automatic second-round interview and connect you to current employees at the firm.
Nail your Technicals over Winter Break: Take advantage of the breaks in the school year to get your interviewing skills down solid. One of our contributors, Jaclyn Christina (‘25), suggested hammering in all of these skills over winter break as the application process can move quickly after that.
Don’t Worry about Being “Too Early”: The biggest piece of advice from one of our contributors: don’t listen to those who tell you you’re starting too early. At the end of the day, by starting early, you will be less stressed overall and give yourself more options long term.
Crushing the Interview: The interviews are a key step in the recruiting process, and it is essential to put your best foot forward in order to secure the offer. Here are our contributor’s best tips:
Join Finance-related Clubs: As Christina stated, one of the main “buckets” of questions you will get asked will be questions related to the markets and recent transactions. She suggested subscribing to the Wall Street Journal daily newsletter and joining finance-related clubs at Brown like Brown Healthcare Investment Group. Participating in these types of activities will equip you to answer economic and market questions.
Use Online Prep Resources for Technical Questions: Our contributors recommended using online resources like the Mergers & Inquisitions 400 Question Guide, Breaking into Wall Street Guides, and YouTube videos to familiarize yourself with concepts such as accounting, valuations, DCFs, and LBOs.
Craft Stories for the Behavioral Questions: Our contributors also suggested crafting a few really impactful stories or anecdotes from your life that you feel could be applied to a variety of behavioral questions. Some good types of “stories” would be ones centering around teamwork, leadership, decision-making, and integrity. It’s also important to have a super solid answer for why “X” firm and why investment banking—this is where all of your networking will come in handy.
Miscellaneous Tips: Here are a few tips from our contributors that didn’t fit squarely into one category, but I thought were still important to include:
Don’t Compare Yourself to Others: Many of your friends or peers will likely be going through the investment banking recruiting process at the same time and applying to lots of the same firms. It’s easy to compare yourself to others and swap notes and thoughts about different firms and programs. However, you should do your best to listen to your gut and focus on yourself—that’s how you’ll end up in the right spot!
Be Yourself and Show Personality: This advice goes again with listening to your gut. As much as the firm is interviewing you, you are also interviewing the firm to make sure it is a place you actually want to work! Don’t be afraid to show your personality and look for a place that matches.
Don’t be Afraid to“Be Annoying” (Within Reason): While you’re networking, odds are you won’t have a 100% hit rate. However, it’s important to remember that these people are super busy and may genuinely miss your email. Don’t be afraid to send a follow-up email or two; however, if you don’t hear back after emailing 2-3 times, it’s better to take the hint and move on.
Thank you to our WIB Contributors:
Jaclyn Christina (Class of 2025), Incoming 2024 Investment Banking Summer Analyst at Barclays
Julia Isaacman (Class of 2026), Incoming 2025 Investment Banking Summer Analyst at Goldman Sachs
Avni Rajpal (Class of 2026), Incoming 2024 Investment Banking Summer Analyst at Goldman Sachs