If you're interested in a career as an investment banker, you've likely also considered options such as becoming an auditor or lawyer. However, the idea of sitting in a stuffy office for hours on end is less than appealing. Instead, investment bankers get to work on complex deals like multibillion-dollar mergers and acquisitions that have the potential to change the fortunes of everyone involved. Do you want to be part of something so groundbreaking?
Here's everything you need to know about becoming an investment banker: what does it involve? How do I join this elite group? What kind of skills is necessary for doing this job well? These are just some questions that we'll address below. Bear in mind that entry-level investment banking jobs are few and far between. While a bachelor's degree is all you need to get started, the best candidates will have at least one year of work experience in the finance or accounting field.
How Do I Become an Investment Banker?
To break into this field, it's not uncommon to start out in a related position such as a personal financial advisor or accountant. There are many more people who want to become investment bankers than there are positions available, so it helps to have some professional experience on your resume. In most cases, you'll start off as an entry-level analyst and make your way up from there. This position involves a lot of grunt work, but you'll learn all about the ins and outs of the industry as part of your training.
Some responsibilities of investment bankers include:
Performing financial modeling.
Investment bankers develop financial models to aid in decision-making, such as a project's viability or how to raise funds for expansion. You need an analytical mind for this job, and you should have excellent math skills. It's also helpful if you've completed some higher-level courses in economics or calculus.
Conducting financial research.
Investment bankers spend a lot of time researching potential new clients, potential mergers and acquisitions, and industries that could use some extra capital. They also evaluate companies based on their financial statements to determine whether they're worthy of investment, buyout, or IPO (initial public offering).
Negotiating with companies.
Investment bankers negotiate with multiple companies at the same time to come to an agreement on which will be selected for a merger or acquisition. They also help with negotiations that involve debt issues as well as real estate acquisition.
Communicating with clients.
Clients will typically approach investment bankers when they want assistance with a project or if they need financial analysis. Your job as an analyst is to learn about their business so that you can provide valuable insight or recommendations on how to solve their problems.
Maintaining strong relationships.
You'll have to maintain strong relationships with clients and corporate executives, which means you should build trust and rapport along the way in order for them to come back for future projects and funding opportunities.
What Does a Day in the Life of an Investment Banker Look Like?
As an analyst, you'll need to be present at all site visits, deal planning sessions, and client meetings. You can expect to work overtime on a regular basis, but you'll also have the chance to travel abroad for extended periods of time. This is because most top-level corporate executives are based overseas. So while there are long hours and weekend work is common, this position does offer opportunities for career advancement and travel. What's more, is that you get to be part of high-stakes deals that have the potential to make or break businesses.
How Do I Become a Managing Director?
As a managing director, you're qualified enough to work as part of an investment bank's management committee. In this position, you'll review potential deals, negotiate on behalf of the company and balance the interests of both sides. You may also be asked to assist with certain tasks such as representing the firm during crisis situations or helping with mergers and acquisitions. You may be in charge of your own division or unit within the organization depending on your area of expertise.
You will also have a chance to take advantage of executive skills training courses that teach things like negotiation and deal-making techniques so that you can develop them into other career opportunities. This is the type of job that can take you all the way up to the C-suite level, which is where only the most senior and experienced employees work. Many managing directors will want to get promoted to a higher or more involved role as soon as possible, but it's not necessary. You can stay here for a couple of decades before moving on if you're happy with your progress and if progress is expected from you.
What Does an Investment Bank Analyst Do on a Day-to-Day Basis?
As an investment bank analyst, you will spend most of your time on the computer and conducting research. You should also use your analytical skills to assess a company's financial policies and determine whether it's ready for investment, buyout, or IPO. You may need to contact executives, clients, or other business professionals to assist with this task. If so, you should follow up via e-mail and make sure that you have all the necessary information for them to complete their part of the transaction. In some cases, you may need to communicate with various people at the same time in order to provide a comprehensive solution.
You'll also have a chance to present your work in order to gain further insights on securities, projects, and trends in the market. If you're looking for more career opportunities, then it's a good idea to take a look at how investment banking works within the industry and if there are other areas where your skill set could be applied. For example, if you're interested in working as an analyst for a hedge fund or private equity group then these firms may be able to find a place for you. You can expect your job duties and responsibilities to change depending on the type of company that employs you.
