In this blog, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step plan to help you transition from MBA classroom to investment banking boardroom.
Step 1: Understand What Investment Banking Looks Like Post-MBA
The post-MBA role in investment banking is typically at the Associate level. You’re not just crunching numbers — you’re leading analyst teams, coordinating with clients, and helping execute deals worth millions (or billions). Your MBA gives you the business context to manage complexity, but the role demands both technical precision and interpersonal finesse.
Before diving in, be clear about what this job entails. The 80-100 hour workweeks aren’t a myth. But for those who thrive in high-stakes environments, few careers offer faster learning and steeper growth curves.
Step 2: Pick the Right MBA Program (Or Maximize the One You're In)
Let’s be real — pedigree matters in investment banking. The top Wall Street firms heavily recruit from the “M7” business schools (Harvard, Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, MIT Sloan, Columbia, and Stanford). But even outside that circle, strong finance-focused programs like NYU Stern, UVA Darden, or London Business School offer great pathways.
Already enrolled somewhere? Great. Use everything your program offers: IB clubs, alumni events, resume books, and info sessions. Don’t wait until the second semester to get moving — recruiting starts early.
Step 3: Prep for the Summer Internship — It’s Your Entry Ticket
Here’s the truth: if you’re serious about investment banking, the summer internship between your first and second year is make-or-break. Most banks fill their full-time Associate slots directly from their intern pool. If you miss this window, breaking in later becomes significantly harder.
To position yourself for success:
- Craft a clean, deal-focused resume
- Learn the technicals: DCF, LBO, merger models, and accounting
- Practice behavioral questions and have a compelling “Why banking?” story
- Join mock interview sessions and IB prep bootcamps
Step 4: Network Like It’s a Full-Time Job
One of the most overlooked answers to “How to get started in investment banking after MBA?” is networking. Investment banking is a relationship business, and recruiting follows suit. Banks want candidates who’ve shown genuine interest in the firm and built relationships with existing employees.
Here’s how to network effectively:
- Start with alumni at your school who are in banking
- Attend every coffee chat, firm event, and panel you can
- Ask thoughtful questions and always follow up with a thank-you note
- Focus on quality over quantity — meaningful conversations go further than mass emails
Networking doesn't guarantee an interview — but it often decides who gets one.
Step 5: Crush the Interviews
There are two parts to investment banking interviews:
Technical Interviews
Expect to answer:
- How do you value a company?
- Walk me through a DCF.
- What happens to the three financial statements when depreciation increases?
Use resources like the Wall Street Prep, Breaking Into Wall Street, and M&I Interview Guides to prepare. If you’re not from a finance background, consider a short course or workshop to catch up fast.
Behavioral Interviews
This is where you tell your story. Why investment banking? Why now? Why this firm?
Use the STAR method to structure responses and rehearse answers to:
- Tell me about a time you worked under pressure.
- Describe a situation where you led a team.
- What’s your biggest professional failure?
Remember, enthusiasm, preparation, and humility go a long way here.
Step 6: Be Strategic About the Firms You Target
All investment banks aren’t the same. There are:
- Bulge Brackets (Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley)
- Elite Boutiques (Evercore, Lazard, Centerview)
- Middle-Market Banks (Jefferies, Piper Sandler, Raymond James)
Each offers different cultures, deal flows, and work-life balances (yes, relatively speaking). As an MBA candidate, research the firms that align with your goals and values — and tailor your outreach accordingly.
Step 7: Convert That Internship into a Full-Time Offer
Once you land a summer internship, the real work begins. Treat every day like an extended job interview. That means:
- Triple-checking your models and slides for accuracy
- Being responsive and available, even at 2 AM
- Being proactive without overstepping
- Building relationships with Analysts, Associates, and VPs
If you show competence, dedication, and a great attitude, the full-time offer usually follows.
Step 8: Think Beyond the Offer — Set Your Long-Term Goals
Securing an Associate role is just the start. Use your first few years to build technical skills, expand your network, and understand various industries. Some choose to stay and rise to VP or MD. Others pivot to private equity, hedge funds, corporate development, or startups.
Either way, the training and brand equity from investment banking will pay dividends throughout your career.
Final Word: Your MBA Is the Launchpad, Not the Finish Line
How to get started in investment banking after MBA? It's a combination of early preparation, strategic networking, technical mastery, and relentless focus. Your MBA opens the door, but it’s your effort that pushes you through it.
So start now. Build your knowledge. Reach out. Stay humble. And remember — in banking, as in life, those who hustle smart win big.