If there is one question you are guaranteed to face in every single investment banking interview—from the first phone screen to the final Superday—it is this: "Tell me about yourself" or "Walk me through your resume."
It sounds simple. You know your life story better than anyone, right?
But this is where 90% of candidates fail before the interview even really begins. They ramble for five minutes, recite their resume bullet-by-bullet, or bore the interviewer with their childhood history.
In my book, Crack the Street, I devote an entire section to this because it is the gateway to an offer. Your answer here sets the tone for the entire 30 minutes. If you nail it, you come across as polished, mature, and "client-ready." If you stumble, you're fighting an uphill battle to prove you're competent.
Here is the insider's guide to structuring the perfect answer, based on the strategies that have helped hundreds of analysts land offers.
1It's Not a Biography, It's an Elevator Pitch
The biggest mistake candidates make is treating this question as an invitation to give a chronological biography. An interviewer doesn't need to know where you were born or why you played soccer in 3rd grade.
As I write in Crack the Street, you need to treat your opening story as your personal elevator pitch.
Your goal is to pinpoint the three or four most compelling reasons that make you an excellent fit for investment banking. Are you analytically rigorous? Do you thrive in high-pressure team environments? Do you have an obsessive attention to detail?
Your answer shouldn't just list what you did; it should prove you embody the traits of a successful analyst.
2The Winning Structure
Don't wing it. Your narrative needs a logical flow that leads the interviewer exactly where you want them: realizing you are the perfect hire.
The Hook (The "Spark")
Start with a concise, authentic sentence about what sparked your interest in finance. Was it a specific class? A mentor? A realization about how capital markets drive the economy? This anchors your story.
The Evidence (Your Experience)
Connect the dots between your experiences. Don't just list internships; explain why you took them and what you learned.
Example: "I started in equity research because I loved the analytical side, but I realized I wanted to be closer to the transaction, which led me to my internship at [Firm Name]."
The "Why You" (Your Differentiators)
Weave in those 3-4 key traits we discussed. Mention a specific deal you worked on or a complex model you built to demonstrate your technical competence.
The Close (Why Here, Why Now)
End by bringing it back to the present. Why are you sitting in this chair, interviewing with this bank?
3The "Unwritten Rules" of Delivery
You can have the perfect script, but if you deliver it poorly, it won't matter.
Keep it under 2 minutes
Investment bankers have short attention spans. If you are still talking after two minutes, you are losing them.
Energy Matters
You need to convey genuine enthusiasm. If you sound bored telling your own story, why would a client want to listen to you pitch a deal?
Don't Recite Bullets
They have your resume in front of them. They can read. Your job is to add the color and context that isn't on the page.
Final Thoughts
This opening statement accounts for arguably 80% of your fit interview success. It is your chance to control the narrative. Practice it in front of a mirror, record yourself, and refine it until it feels natural.
When you walk into that room, you aren't just a student asking for a job. You are a future analyst explaining why you belong on the team.
Ready to Master Your Banking Interviews?
For a deeper dive into crafting your narrative and mastering technical interviews, pick up your copy of Crack the Street today.
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