I receive a high volume of messages from students and early-career professionals asking the same question: "How do I get into investment banking?" While I am always happy to help, if you want to actually land the offer, you need to flip the script.
Stop asking how to get in and start telling me what your value-add is. In this industry, you aren't just a candidate; you are one of thousands of applicants. If you are asking for a senior banker's time or mentorship, you need to demonstrate why that investment will yield a return.
To be convincing, you need a story.
Technicals are Table Stakes; Narrative is the Closer
In every Superday debrief I've sat in, the conversation follows a predictable pattern. We assume you have the "intellectual horsepower"—if you didn't know your models or couldn't handle the technicals, you wouldn't be in the room. But technical proficiency won't get you the offer. Your narrative gets you the job.
A compelling story makes you believable. Your elevator pitch—often delivered during the "Walk Me Through Your Resume" phase—needs to weave your past experiences into a cohesive trajectory. You must answer, with specific examples, why you possess the work ethic, curiosity, and teamwork to make you an All-Star analyst or associate (post-MBA).
Don't just tell me you're a "hard worker." Tell me the story that proves it.
Where candidates really catch my eye is when they have narrowed their interest to a specific niche. Modern banking is driven by sub-industry thought leadership. If you come to an interview and can speak deeply about a vertical—whether it's the evolution of IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) and the Circular Economy or a specific trend in FinTech—you have an immediate leg up.
The Niche Advantage
Speaking to a niche shows you understand how banks actually differentiate themselves to clients: through proprietary market intelligence and specialized expertise. It moves the conversation from "I want a job" to "I understand your business".
The "Airport Test" Reality
If you can't tell a story that makes me believe in your trajectory, you're just another name. Remember the "Airport Test": after a 100-hour work week, would I want to be stuck in an airport with you for four hours?
That connection isn't built on your ability to calculate WACC; it's built on the narrative of who you are and where you are going.
Related Insights from Crack the Street
How to Answer "Walk Me Through Your Resume" in Banking Interviews
I discuss storytelling more in this comprehensive guide to crafting your narrative.
The MD's Guide to Investment Banking Coffee Chats
Before you can tell your story in the room, you have to get the invite. See my guide for email templates when reaching out.
Key Takeaways
Technical skills are expected—your story is what differentiates you from thousands of other candidates
Demonstrate value-add through specific examples and a cohesive narrative, not generic claims
Speaking to a specific industry niche shows you understand how banks differentiate themselves
The "Airport Test" is real—your personality and trajectory matter as much as your technical prowess
Master Your Banking Narrative
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