Ambitious minds are attracted to global prestige and a fast-paced, high-stakes environment of investment banking. However, landing one such coveted job on Wall Street is far from easy. It almost feels like cracking an invisible code to figure out how to get a job in investment banking because of intense competition, long hours, and incredibly high standards. This article will walk you through the real steps you need to take to secure your spot on Wall Street and how One Strategy Group (OSG) can help get you there.

Understanding Investment Banking

Before we begin with your job hunt, it is important to understand what investment bankers actually do. In simple terms, investment banks are intermediaries in large financial transactions. As an analyst or associate, your responsibilities may include:

• Financial modeling
• Company valuation
• Pitch book creation
• Due diligence
• Working on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) or initial public offerings (IPOs)

The core divisions of most banks include:

• M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions)
• Capital Markets (Equity & Debt)
• Sales & Trading
• Asset Management
• Research

When you understand these areas, it helps you tailor your preparation and networking strategy. It’s something we heavily focus on in our 1-on-1 OSG coaching sessions.

 

Types of Investment Banks: Bulge Bracket & Elite Boutique

If you’re looking at jobs in investment banking, it’s highly likely that you’ve come across the terms Bulge Bracket and Elite Boutique. Bulge Bracket banks are massive, full-service firms like:

• Goldman Sachs
• JPMorgan
• Morgan Stanley

They handle everything from trading to asset management, and their investment banking graduate jobs are among the most competitive.

Then there are elite Boutiques, such as:

• Evercore
• Lazard
• Centerview

They focus exclusively on advisory services, especially M&A. They often offer faster promotion timelines, higher bonuses, and more deal exposure at junior levels.

 

How to Get a Job in Investment Banking: “Invisible Barriers”

So, you often ask, How to get a job in investment banking? Beyond the resume and GPA, the real challenge lies in clearing what we call the “invisible barriers. ” These are those factors that aren’t always listed in job postings but are extremely important if you want to land offers.

1. Academic Requirements / Key Skill Development

Top investment banks usually recruit juniors from target universities. They have a preference for candidates from finance, economics, or business backgrounds. But academic pedigrees alone won’t get you in. You must also demonstrate the following capabilities as well:

• Strong financial modeling skills
• Analytical thinking
• Excel and PowerPoint mastery
• Solid understanding of valuation methods (DCF, LBO, comparable companies)

If you are not from targeted schools, it’s still 100% possible to land Wall Street jobs if you build these skills through curated online resources, case study simulations, and mock assignments.

2. Internship Experience

Most entry-level investment banking jobs are filled through internship conversion. A summer internship at a Bulge Bracket or Elite Boutique is almost a prerequisite now. That means you need to start preparing for internships during your second year of college.

OSG coaches students on how to win spring weeks, sophomore internships, and off-cycle roles. These are the key stepping stones to a full-time offer.

3.  Networking and Relationship Building

Over 70% of investment banking jobs are filled through referrals or internal recommendations. If you really want to know how to get a job on Wall Street, it means you must master the art of networking.

Moreover, if you network with extensive alumni networks across global investment banks, it’ll enable warm introductions and informational interviews that lead to actual job interviews.

4. Resume Construction

A generic CV won’t get you through the door. Your resume should reflect quantifiable achievements, leadership, and a clear story of “why IB.” You’ll also have to tailor resumes and cover letters that speak the investment banker’s language.

5. Interview Process

Interviews typically include:

• Technical questions (such as walk me through a DCF)
• Behavioural questions like telling about a time you worked in a team
• Market-based questions (such as what’s happening with interest rates?)

You’ll have to practice rigorous mock interviews with real bankers, get detailed feedback from them about your performance, and the industry-specific practice. All of this practice will help you walk in confidently.

6.  Identity and Visa Issues

International students often face additional obstacles like work visa sponsorships. Nowadays, this problem is at its peak.

 

Why Choose OSG?

At OSG, we specialize in breaking invisible barriers. Our career consulting services are designed specifically for those who target investment banking graduate jobs and entry-level investment banking jobs in top-tier firms. Here’s how we help:

• 1-on-1 Career Coaching: We provide tailored guidance through every stage. You’ll be guided at every step of your way from skill-building to the final offer.
• Extensive Networking Resources: You can leverage our extensive alumni base across Bulge Brackets and Elite Boutiques and grow your network.
• Resume + Interview Prep: Our expert industry insiders review your materials and conduct mock interviews.
• Proven Success: 90%of our students receive offers from their top-choice employers, and 92% earn a starting salary of $165,000 or higher.

If you’re serious about figuring out how to get a job in investment banking, you don’t have to do it alone. Our expertise and insider knowledge give you a competitive edge in a highly selective field.

 

Final Thoughts

If you want to crack the code to jobs on Wall Street, it requires more than intelligence. It requires strategy, preparation, and access. If you’re a student at a non-target university or an international student dealing with visa challenges, OSG can help you navigate the hurdles and land your dream role in investment banking.

So, if you’re wondering how to get a job on Wall Street, don’t leave it to chance. Let’s take the next step together.