Why Most Candidates Fail Their Investment Banking Interviews (and How to Avoid It)
Why Most Candidates Fail Their Investment Banking Interviews (and How to Avoid It)
Breaking into investment banking isn’t easy. Every year, thousands of ambitious students prepare for interviews with bulge brackets and elite boutiques. They spend months memorizing technical guides, grinding through accounting flashcards, and practicing DCFs until they can do them in their sleep.
And yet — most still fail.
So why does this happen? And more importantly, how can you avoid being one of them?
1. Over-focusing on Technicals
Yes, you need to know your accounting, valuation, and financial modeling. But technicals are only one piece of the puzzle. Banks are hiring people, not spreadsheets. If you can’t explain why you want the job, or if your story doesn’t connect, you won’t get the offer — no matter how perfect your LBO math is.
2. Weak Personal Storytelling
Your “walk me through your resume” answer is the single most important response of your entire interview. It sets the tone, frames your strengths, and shows if you actually fit. Too many candidates sound robotic, like they’re reading off a script. You need clarity, flow, and a touch of authenticity.
3. Lack of Behavioral Prep
Interviewers want to know how you think, not just what you know. “Tell me about a time you worked in a team” isn’t a filler question — it’s your chance to show you have the grit and emotional intelligence to survive 90-hour weeks.
4. Not Practicing Out Loud
It’s one thing to know the answers. It’s another to say them smoothly under pressure. The best candidates simulate the real interview environment — speaking out loud, timing their responses, and getting feedback.
How IB Prepared Helps
At IB Prepared, we’ve built the tools we wish we had when we were interviewing:
- 🎙️ AI-driven mock interviews — Speak your answers out loud, get instant feedback, and practice under real pressure.
- 📊 Valuation Drill Engine — Sharpen your technicals with structured practice, not just theory.
- 🧠 Behavioral Frameworks — Learn how to tell your story in a way that sticks.
- 📚 Quizzes & Resources — Cover everything from M&A to market trends.
Final Thought
The candidates who land offers aren’t always the ones who know the most — they’re the ones who prepared the smartest.
Don’t just memorize. Practice. Refine. Own your story.
That’s how you become IB Prepared.