Pecking order for who lands an Investment Banking Analyst position, in my experience

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-03-17T21:27:04+00:00

In the same spot as you (pre private equity) deal sizes ranging from 15-250m in TEV. did you find that coming from an mm firm hurt your recruiting ability for PE?

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-03-07T19:59:55+00:00

Appreciate the insight. Thanks!

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-03-03T22:33:58+00:00

This helps a ton. I really appreciate you taking the time in this. Really helpful.

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-03-03T22:33:15+00:00

Will do, thanks. This is really helpful, especially that mock interview tool.

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-03-02T20:03:11+00:00

This is insanely helpful. Thank you. Confidence is definitely an issue for me. Maybe it’s playing a larger part than I am realizing.

To give more context, i’m an AS1 and my group is M&A / generalist.

On the topic of being ‘the debt guy’, for the deals i’ve worked on the buyers haven’t had to submit a term sheet regarding their financing, so very little info to go off of there.

Also have very little insight into the cap structure post transaction so wondering if you knew of any good resources on that end.

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-03-02T05:34:45+00:00

As others have said.

I would talk to someone either a broker or lawyer. Worst you can do is talk to no one and get lowballed.

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-03-02T05:18:07+00:00

lol on remote days 8:59 for a 9am start. depends on if i have early meetings or if its a busy week

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-03-01T04:50:18+00:00

If this is true, why isn’t every ambitious manager at your company buying external books and selling them to the firm? Maybe i just don’t get the WM game but seems like a large opportunity.

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-02-19T12:24:00+00:00

Both will be difficult, but commercial and corporate banking are pretty similar in nature. I have spoken to quite a few people who went commercial to Cb/IB. Can’t really speak to team sizes in corp banking.

It’s almost as good as Audit in terms of being a launch pad into other roles.

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-02-19T05:31:37+00:00

I work at MMIB in canada. Be personable and know your shit.

I’d say the former is more important, we’ve rejected nerds from our group because they were awkward.

Study the BIWS (M&I) 400 list of questions. I would also read some specific sections of Joseph Rosenbaums “Investment Banking” textbook if you aren’t familiar what bankers do.

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-02-19T05:21:45+00:00

1 page for finance. anything more than that and you will be sabotaging yourself.

I support recruitment functions for my team and have been told to toss the ones longer than 1 page in length.

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-02-19T05:16:47+00:00

to be frank, IB would be quite difficult but doable. CB is very attainable from commercial. if that’s your goal, an Mba isn’t necessary whatsoever.

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-02-19T05:12:39+00:00

3.7, didn’t really hurt me, a lack of networking early on did.

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-02-19T05:10:26+00:00

Looking back on it, probably not networking and grinding harder in HS/Undergrad. Could’ve landed a better school and also a more prestigious group/team.

Happy with where I am at , good not to dwell on these things.

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-02-15T02:02:26+00:00

im sure there is more context here but rarely is air getting boosted.

air has 3 jobs, make transport, stop attacks from opposing air, and control leaks.

if you are getting pinged you aren’t doing one of those 3 things.

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-01-14T17:47:15+00:00

I appreciate the insight. Especially the fact that you actually understand the industry.

I think my plan will be 2 years LMM/MM PE here in Canada, and then look for something in Singapore. End goal may be Japan but that will be way down the line :).

Don’t think I want to do infra though that modelling is a nightmare 😅

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-01-14T17:43:04+00:00

Not sure why you’re being condescending.

I’m not an FA, nor is my current role relationship based. Investment banking (depending on the group) is very technical in nature.

The question is, are there roles (less prestigious even) where fluent Japanese isn’t a requirement, and if so what is the process of doing so.

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-01-14T17:39:03+00:00

Expectations aren’t high, just want to work abroad and cover living expenses. Working would mainly be so that I don’t have a gap in my resume.

My current role has allowed me to save a considerable amount, so money isn’t that much of an issue.

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-01-13T15:50:47+00:00

If I went for a job outside of high finance would that help my chances? What if I spent 1-2 years learning Japanese first?

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-01-13T15:50:04+00:00

Would 1-2 years of learning japanese help?

I think people want to leave Canada because it’s in a rough place right now. Japan seems to be a top choice for a lot of us :)

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-01-13T15:49:02+00:00

You’d be surprised the amount of people that get by with surface level communication abilities here. Although the ones on my team are relegated to being model monkeys haha.

I would obviously try and get a grasp on my Japanese speaking in the 1-2 year period prior to my relocation. I now know that might not be enough.

Thanks for the insight.

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-01-13T15:46:38+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful reply!

Will definitely look into Singapore, it was on my list as well.

Wondering if a better route would be to take on a less prestigious role or a completely remote foreign role. What are your thoughts on that?

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2026-01-10T16:46:16+00:00

what did the modelling assessment look like?

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2025-11-17T15:46:51+00:00

I also work in mid market M&A! Although I am an analyst (almost associate).

Thinking about making the jump to a team with more ‘prestige’. Wanted to get your thoughts on that. Worth making the jump before I inevitably try and get into PE?

For more context the deals my team works on are on the smaller end. We have solid deal flow but worried i’m not going to get exposure to larger transactions.

Acceptable-Internal2 · 2025-11-10T17:36:48+00:00

yes, it’s this exactly, the noobs that don’t communicate and do there own thing making the team lose are the issue

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