Career

There's no doubt getting into investment banking is hard primarily because it is the most prestigious job in the Financial Services Industry. Traditionally, companies hire from elite universities and colleges for their entry-level position, but things are changing as banks understand the need for diversity and different backgrounds. Here are some of the usual, and unusual paths, to an Investment Banking career and some tips on how to secure that lucrative job. Entry Level Analyst Investment Banking Opportunity: This is when you join an Investment Bank after finishing your undergraduate degree. Most Bulge Bracket investment banks will take part in the placement rounds at various colleges. The problem with this approach is that unless you go to these colleges being part of these placement rounds is quite tough, especially since many boutique banks do not hire in large numbers
Entry Level Associate Investment banking Opportunity: This is perhaps one of the most popular ways to get into an investment bank and usually involves joining them as an associate after a few years of experience and an MBA with a specialisation in Finance
Lateral Roles Investment Banking Opportunity: While the bulk of Investment Banking roles get filled at Associate level through MBA placements, many roles are filled via lateral movements from different professions in various industries. Corporate Investment Banking Unit: Many aspirants tend to forget about the route, but if it is experience and role that's important, this is perhaps as good as working in an Investment Bank with respect to responsibilities and role without having to do business development or secure clients. The caveat lies in the fact that it is a support function and perhaps won't have the dynamism and scope of working on the sell side since you will be restricted by your firms corporate strategy and sectors your company wants to focus on investing in. While salaries are good, they might not be on par with working in a pure play Investment Bank.

If you graduate in Commerce, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, etc.? If you have answered with a yes, then you can pursue a career in investment banking. While most companies prefer graduates there is no need to worry even if your answer is no. Undergraduates can also undergo training and join as Analysts in IB and move up the career ladder. Tips to help with your investment banking career:
1. Research your IB career path: Experience counts in this field and if you can do an internship while finishing your graduation it is a very good way to get a feel of the career. Small and large banks do offer internships and based on your performance could make a job offer.
2. Research and learn all about the concepts and skills required: Reading books like MarketWatch and DealBook help you keep track of the latest trends in IB. Prepare your resume and keep handy some interesting examples and trends that you can link into your answers to impress the interviewer. Develop your personality traits and soft skills like communication skills, objective quantitative tests etc. To help with the interview rounds.
3. Do a relevant course: Doing the financial and investment banking course at the reputed Imarticus Learning helps greatly. Besides your academic qualification, major subjects adding on these courses goes a long way to help you specialize in IB.
4. Judge what the recruiter is looking for: No one has all the right answers. Remember to pay attention to what the recruiter wants from you and answer honestly projecting a well-rounded persona with consistent planning to achieve your career goal. Showcase your internships, certifications and relevant experience to improve your chances. Focus on what the jobs taught you, what you liked and did not in them. Build up skills that you may be lacking like your language and communication skills.
5. Network: IB is about who you know and how well you can maintain relationships. LinkedIn, Facebook, alumni networks and professional finance forums are good to advertise your efforts in.

Becoming an investment banker isn't just a whistlestop journey its an amalgamation of academic prowess, perseverance, good networks and some luck to boot. Here are things you require to become investment banker. College Degree: It should preferably be in the finance or economics field. Accounting and business degrees also do well. An MBA or an advanced degree will give you a competitive edge over other candidates who have just one degree to their name. But if you cannot undertake a rigorous advanced degree course, then you can still sign up for an investment banking course that will grill you in the basics and nuances of the field. Affinity for Numbers: Investment banking is all about the numbers. Basic mathematics can only take you so far into the field what will truly set you apart is a strong affinity for numbers, statistics, analytics and visual identification of trends. If you can sufficiently use these to make predictions, then your golden!
Few Internships: Internships are an aspiring investment bankers best friend. The more renowned the company you interned at, the higher your chances of being picked out of a crowd. Consider doing more than one internship, and try each time for a big firm, such as JP Morgan or Deutsche Bank. The more laurels you collect at internships, the more impressive your CV looks and the more confident you'll be while walking into your first job or your first megadeal. Excellent Network: Networking for investment bankers is key, not least because its the first opportunity they get to practice their selling. It is crucial to make an excellent first impression on people who have the capacity to hire you or can whisper in the ears of someone in the field. Those without solid networks neednt fret instead, joining a course that gives you access to an exclusive network of leads and references may just be your get out of jail free card. Additional Certifications: You may be able to land a job without these certifications, depending on other factors like internships, academic prowess and experience. However, once in a cosy new job, consider upskilling or working towards these certifications so your CV is not stale when you decide to move to a better job.

The field of Finance is often said to be all about the Science of money management. A career in Finance would entail coordinating between assets and liabilities. The finance industry is popularly known to provide lucrative careers and demand intellect of the highest order. As a rule, this prestigious industry attracts a lot of aspirants looking for a career with great opportunities. Possession of just a graduate degree thins the chances of getting into this field. Thus, it becomes important to either be an MBA or have a higher degree to guarantee a smooth entry herein. There are many courses like certification programs in investment banking, courses in corporate finance and so on. There are a lot of programs offering training to clear various finance exams and acquire certain designations and licenses. Investment banking career opportunities:
Investment banking sector in the country offers unmatched career opportunities to aspiring candidates. Candidates can explore their options in Corporate Finance, Capital Market, Project Finance, Mergers and Acquisitions, Rating Analysis, Equity and Fixed Income Research and Retail Brokerage/stockbroker/Private Client Coverage among others. A fresher of this field can get a salary somewhere around Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 30,000 per month, in the field of investment banking. Those who have some years experience as an investment banker can get higher remuneration in this field.