Commonly Asked Interview Questions (Investment Banking)

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​COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS: INVESTMENT BANKING INTERVIEWS
 
These are the essence of commonly asked questions by banks at interviews.
 
About you

• Tell me about yourself / Walk me through your CV.

(Note: Be prepared to address tricky questions about a bad grade or gap in your CV).

• What attracts you to a career in banking? What would you be doing if you weren’t in finance?
• Tell me more about your CCAs / case competitions/ leadership position(s).
• What are your hobbies / interests?

 
Employer

• Why did you apply to this bank / department? What is our competitive advantage?
• Why are you a good fit / why should we hire you?
• What do you think this position entails?
• What other positions / banks have you applied to?

(Note: A candid answer is recommended. A good answer illustrates a clear strategy in your application.)
 
Knowledge / Experience

• Market Knowledge
  • Tell me more about this area in finance / M&A deal. Where do you think the Fixed Income / Equities / Commodities market is headed in the next 12 months?
• Technical Knowledge
  • Define x technical term / What is your estimated valuation for a company in x industry with these financials?
• Critical Thinking Questions
  • How many streetlamps are there in Singapore? How many toothbrushes are purchased a day in Singapore? How many plastic bottles are discarded each month?

(Note: IBD interviewers love to throw you a curveball, do ensure that you are not fazed by any unusual questions that may come your way. The key to answering such questions is to demonstrate a clear and well-reasoned line of thinking. For example, if asked to estimate the number of streetlamps in Singapore, you may wish to start with the total distance of roads, and extrapolate based on the number of streetlamps per km of road)

• Tell me about your internship with XYZ competitor bank.
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

 
For more experienced candidates:

• Why did you leave your previous job?
• What was your last drawn salary? What is your expected remuneration?

 
Working Style

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• How do you handle stress?
• Do you work well in a team / Are you able to work independently?
• What are your expectations as to mentorship / working environment?

 
Parting Words

• Do you have any questions?

(Note: This is an opportunity to show that you have researched the bank. Good questions include questions about firm culture, a major deal the bank has completed recently or broad industry trends.)

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