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Online Resources for Investment Banking

    Updated: Jan 29, 2021



    While navigating the investment banking industry can be difficult sometimes, there is a variety of resources available online to help you succeed. To help, we've compiled a list of free resources to fit your every need, whether you're preparing for the recruitment season or are interested in learning more about investment banking in general.


    Looking to gain more insight into what investment banking is? Check out these resources for some general information:


    Find more information about top recruiters in the industry and their opportunities for students here:


    There are numerous online and print resources that are available to help you prepare for interviews. These resources include common interview questions and suggested answers, as well as basic finance fundamentals to help you nail the technical questions. Here are a few that students have found helpful:


    Choose the ones that work best for you! Beyond online and print readings, your most valuable resources are friends and people in your network who are often more than willing to guide you through the process.


     

    These are some of the ways Harvard students studied and prepared for their interviews:


    Make your own study guide and practice.

    “Just read all the threads that are like "100 most asked questions in IB interviews." Make your own study guide with sample answers. Rehearse your answers. Have a cohesive story of why you want to be an investment banker. Do you love finance? Then why aren't you in any finance clubs? Be able to answer all of these.”

    - Analyst at Truist, Harvard Class of 2019


    Don't underestimate behavioral questions.

    “The M&I 400 Guide is a great resource. This guide is pretty comprehensive, so I didn't study other guides in great depth. I've also heard good things about the Vault Guides but can't personally attest to them. In general, I think nailing the behavioral questions is more important than mastering the technicals--your responses to the behavioral questions tell the interviewer who you are as a person, which is obviously crucial in the hiring process. I personally don't think it's the end of the world if you miss a technical or two because these things can be learned quickly.”

    - Intern at BofA, Harvard Class of 2021


    Run through interviews with a friend.

    “I studied the basic and intermediate portions of the WSO technical interview guide for the technicals which was helpful. Some of the on-campus networking events have technical prep components which is a great resource. Also, what really helped me was talking to an upperclassmen friend who had gone through the same process. She supported me throughout the whole process, going over my elevator pitch, resume, etc.”

    - Intern at Citibank, Harvard Class of 2021


    Be able to talk about why you're choosing IB.

    “The 400 Investment Banking Interview Questions & Answers You Need to Know is pretty helpful and covers a pretty wide range of both behavioral and technical interview questions. It's helpful to read even just for getting a better understanding of what kind of people are suitable for IB and what kinds of skills the job may demand.”

    - Intern at BofA, Harvard Class of 2021

    Recruiting Timeline for Investment Banking



      Information Sessions

      Throughout Fall and Spring Semester

      A few companies will come to Harvard to give information sessions to prospective applicants. Take advantage of these to learn about the firm, learn more about the industry, and meet people who work at the company. Companies typically come to campus during September/October in the fall semester, and March/April in the spring semester. During these visits, companies may host information sessions, appear at career fairs, partner with clubs to host events, and/or offer coffee chats. Networking at these events is a way for you to learn more about the firm, and for them to start getting to know you.


      Applications Open

      Spring/Summer

      Send in your application through the company’s portal, updating people you have networked with that you have done so. The application deadlines vary company to company. However, generally summer internship applications open spring/summer the year before.


      Phone Interview or HireVue

      If you pass the resume screen, companies will usually have a first round phone interview or HireVue, which is a recorded video interview. In this round, you typically will encounter behavioral questions and perhaps a few technical questions.


      Superday

      Throughout Fall and Spring Semester

      The final round, here is where you will be interviewed by multiple people in the firm throughout a whole day. You should expect a mix of behavioral questions and technical questions. Make sure to send thank you emails to everyone who has interviewed you.

      Recruiting at Harvard for Investment Banking


        Many firms come to Harvard to recruit students—take advantage of these opportunities! Here is a general overview of how this process works.


        Information Sessions

        Numerous companies will come to Harvard to host information sessions, usually at The Charles Hotel or the Sheraton Commander. You can look at the OCS calendar to see when firms come to campus. Usually it is in the late fall/early spring. This is your chance to learn more about the company, meet some people who work there, and ask any questions you may have about the firm or recruiting process. Make sure to try to have a few conversations with a handful of people so you can follow up as the recruiting process progresses. Most importantly, send thank you emails to people you meet.


        Coffee Chats

        A majority of firms that come to Harvard will host coffee chats. Usually, you have to register or apply beforehand. The company will select you, either on a first-come-first-serve basis or based on a resume screen, to have a one-on-one coffee chat with someone in the division of the company you are interested in. This is your opportunity to ask whatever questions you may have. These could be questions to learn more about the industry, the internship program, what a day in the life is like, or any higher level questions you may have. Again, always remember to follow up with the person you talk to and send a thank you email


        Networking

        Take advantage of the Harvard alumni network. Most likely, there will be a Harvard alumni working at the firm you are applying to. Ask to quickly chat sometime to learn more about their experience at the firm. Networking is essential because there are thousands of applicants to these firms every year—if analysts have never talked to you before, you are just another name in the pile.



         

        Here are some helpful tips from Harvard students who have been through the process regarding recruiting specifically at Harvard. A common theme we found is that the most helpful resources are your upperclassmen friends. Be sure to reach out as they are all super willing to help!


        Use coffee chats to ask questions in a one-on-one context.

        “Going to all the networking and info sessions (even if you don't get much out of it, but just getting your name on the attendance list and acquiring a few email addresses to hit up later). Coffee chats were slightly helpful because it was one-on-one time for me to ask questions directly to an analyst. Getting an upperclassman mentor, formal or informal, to whom you can ask any and all questions because they went through the same process themselves.”

        - Intern at BofA, Harvard Class of 2021


        “Coffee chats were super helpful! It was a good way to get to know people at the firm in a natural way, and the people you meet at coffee chats can put you in touch with other people at the firm, to help you grow your network there.”

        - Intern at elite bulge bracket firm, Harvard Class of 2021


        Talk to upperclassmen who have been through the process.

        “Recruiting can definitely be overwhelming and intimidating at first! The most valuable thing that I did on campus while recruiting was talking to upperclassmen who had already gone through recruiting/internships in fields that I was interested in. I learned a ton from these conversations-- not only did they explain what the actual recruiting process was like, but they also proofread my resume and helped me craft thoughtful responses to the typical interview questions.
        I can't stress how pivotal upperclassmen mentorship was to my personal recruitment process-- don't be afraid to reach out! There are so many pre-professional organizations where you can meet upperclassmen who have recruited in the industries you're interested in, but you can also meet them through classes, house community, etc.”

        - Intern at BofA, Harvard Class of 2021


        Find your cultural fit at networking events.

        “Going to networking events (coffee chats, dinner, etc.) and talking to people were really helpful in allowing me to get to know the people and seeing if it was a good fit.”

        - Intern at Citibank, Harvard Class of 2021

        “Connecting with alumni/full-time analysts was probably the most helpful thing I did. Most people are more than willing to chat about their experience at their respective bank. Those conversations are important for figuring out whether or not IB and/or their firm is a good fit for you. They generally have a lot of relevant insight to share since they were in the same place as you not too long ago.”

        - Intern at BofA, Harvard Class of 2021

        Featured Employers​

        McMaster-Carr

        Williams Companies

        Industry Guides​

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