If you dream of working in finance, you must learn how to get into investment banking. This career is one of the most exciting, rewarding, and competitive in the finance world. Many students and professionals want to work in investment banking because of its high salary, global exposure, and fast career growth. But this field also demands strong skills, smart thinking, and the right plan to enter. The path may look hard, but with the right steps, you can reach your goal.
So, how to get into investment banking? You must follow a clear roadmap. First, you should pick the right education. Then you should build useful skills, get internships, prepare a strong resume, and practice for interviews. Many people also take finance courses like CFA, MBA, or financial modeling certifications to gain an edge. Each step makes you more ready for the job.
What is Investment Banking ?
Before you start preparing, you must know what investment banking really means. Investment banking is a branch of finance that helps companies raise money, buy other companies, or sell shares. Investment banks also give expert advice on deals, manage IPOs, and support mergers and acquisitions.
These banks do not take savings or give home loans like regular banks. Instead, they focus only on big business deals. Investment bankers help large companies make smart decisions about their money and growth. They work with investors, build financial models, and talk to company leaders.
You will need strong math, business, and communication skills to enter this field. You will also need to work long hours and handle pressure well. But the rewards are high—good salary, fast promotions, and great learning.
Investment banks want smart, sharp, and hardworking people who know how to handle data and explain ideas clearly.
Step 1: Choose the Right Education
One of the first steps in how to get into investment banking is picking the right education path. Most investment banks look for students from finance, commerce, or economics backgrounds. But you can also join other fields if you take the right training.
Most analysts start after graduation. Others enter after doing an MBA or a specialized course in finance. Some banks also hire CA, CFA, or engineering students who show strong interest and skills in finance.
- B.Com or BBA: Gives you business basics and accounting knowledge.
- BA in Economics: Helps you understand markets and finance theories.
- Engineering: You must take extra courses to cover finance skills.
- MBA in Finance: Most popular postgrad degree for investment banking jobs.
- CFA/CA: Adds deep financial analysis skills and builds trust with employers.
Pick a course that fits your goals and budget. Try to learn Excel, valuation, and modeling during your studies.
Build Key Skills
You cannot enter investment banking without building the right skills. This job is all about numbers, reports, models, and clear thinking. You must learn to use Excel, read company reports, and make good presentations.
You should also follow the news, understand how markets work, and build confidence while talking. These soft skills matter as much as technical knowledge.
- Financial Modeling: Build income statements, balance sheets, and forecasts using Excel.
- Valuation Techniques: Learn DCF, comparable company analysis, and precedent transactions.
- Advanced Excel: Use VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and shortcuts to manage data fast.
- PowerPoint and Presentations: Make clean and clear pitch books for clients.
- Market Awareness: Read newspapers and websites like Bloomberg, Moneycontrol, and ET Markets.
- Communication: Speak clearly, write emails well, and explain numbers to clients.
Use online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or Imarticus to build these skills before applying.
Step 2: Do Internships and Real-World Projects
To truly understand how to get into investment banking, you must get some real experience. Internships help you learn how banks work and what the job includes. They also help you build a strong resume and make new contacts.
Try to get internships during college or after your course. Even short internships teach you a lot. You can work with banks, finance startups, or wealth management firms. Try to focus on roles that involve research, reports, or modeling.
- You get hands-on training in finance tools.
- You learn what analysts do every day.
- You build links with people already in the field.
- You improve your resume with real job titles.
Even unpaid internships are useful if they teach you the work and add value to your learning.
Step 3: Prepare a Strong Resume and LinkedIn Profile
Your resume is the first thing banks see about you. It must be clear, sharp, and focused on finance. It should show your education, skills, projects, and any real work you have done. If you want to know how to get into investment banking, start by making a strong resume.
Banks don’t want long resumes. They want to see your numbers, results, and smart thinking. Use simple words, short bullet points, and active verbs.
Also, build a LinkedIn profile that matches your resume. Add your education, certifications, and finance skills. Post about news, models, or finance tips to stay active.
- Keep it one page.
- Show numbers: “Built a model to value XYZ at ₹500 crore.”
- Add keywords like “valuation,” “financial modeling,” “M&A,” and “equity research.”
- List your tools: Excel, PowerPoint, Bloomberg, etc.
- Include internships, case studies, and team projects.
Your resume and LinkedIn show how serious you are about this career.
Step 4: Apply for Jobs and Attend Interviews
Once your resume is ready, you must start applying for jobs. You can apply directly on company websites, through LinkedIn, or during college placements. You can also send cold emails to bankers or HR people asking for roles or internships.
Prepare for interviews by reading common finance questions. Practice technical questions, case studies, and how to explain models. Many banks also ask about market news or your opinion on recent IPOs.
Try mock interviews with friends or mentors. This builds your speaking skills and helps you stay calm during real interviews.
- Investment Banking Analyst
- Equity Research Intern
- Finance Analyst
- M&A Trainee
- Private Equity Assistant
Start with entry roles. Grow with learning, hard work, and smart planning.
Step 5: Use Courses and Certifications
Another key step in how to get into investment banking is taking extra courses. These show that you are serious and skilled. Many banks respect students who take CFA, CA, or financial modeling courses.
Online courses help you learn at your speed. They also give you practice files and industry examples. Some courses also help you prepare for interviews or get internships.
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst): Best for research and valuation jobs.
- CA (Chartered Accountant): Strong for Indian finance and accounting roles.
- Financial Modeling Course: Focus on Excel, valuation, and M&A.
- MBA in Finance: Gives you deep skills and campus placements.
Pick a course based on your time, budget, and long-term goal.
Step 6: Network With People in Finance
Networking is a secret tool in learning how to get into investment banking. Many jobs do not get listed online. They come through contacts, referrals, and friends.
Start by connecting with people on LinkedIn. Follow people who work in banks. Comment on their posts, ask smart questions, or message them politely. Attend finance events, webinars, and student meetups.
You don’t need to know 100 people. Even 5–10 strong links can change your career.
- Be polite and clear in your message.
- Ask for advice, not jobs.
- Stay in touch with college seniors in banking.
- Attend CFA, MBA, or finance student events.
Your network can help you find jobs, mentors, and new learning chances.
How to Get into Investment Banking FAQs
1. How to get into investment banking in India?
Study finance, build modeling skills, do internships, and apply for analyst jobs. CFA, MBA, or short courses help.
2. Can engineers enter investment banking?
Yes. They must learn finance and Excel skills through courses or MBA.
3. What is the average salary in investment banking?
Freshers earn ₹10–25 lakh per year. With experience, it can go up to ₹50 lakh or more.
4. Do I need an MBA for investment banking?
Not always. You can enter after B.Com or CFA with the right skills and resume.
5. How long does it take to get into investment banking?
It depends on your path. Some enter after college, others take 1–2 years of prep.
