Post: #1

I have a meeting with an investment banking director next week from one of the bulge bracket banks, if I come across well I might have an in for a position. Could anyone point me in the direction of useful materials to come across as well and as informed as possible?

Post: #2

Wallstreeroasis.com has some gem info about IB in general

Post: #3

http://www.wallstreetplayboys.com

Search this forum for "investment banking". And google mergers and inquisitions.

Post: #4

(07-07-2016 05:41 PM)Peregrine Wrote:  And google mergers and inquisitions.

I think you mean "murders and executions", right?

OP: Liars Poker for starters. Bruce Wasserstein's autobiography for another good read.

Then of course they want to know that you're privy to what's going on NOW. And that's what WSJ is for. Any NYT dealbook.

Post: #5

Mergers and acquisitions blog has lots of good insights. But in general I would read up on the current state of the economy so you sound informed. Reading Liars poker currently, trying to become a BSD myself. Best of luck.

Post: #6

Former bulge bracket ibanker here. Best thing to read is the Wall Street Journal. It is far better to be knowledgable of current events and market conditions - and have opinions on them - than to drop lines from a business book if time is limited to prep. I echo that Wallstreetoasis is an excellent resource for the inside scoop on banking.

Post: #7

Books a little bit dated on some of the specifics, but here's a good "story" type read. It's hardly the best book on the topic but I recommend it because it's an easy read and because it gives you a better idea of what the job actually looks like day to day.

https://www.amazon.com/Monkey-Business-S...0446676950

Also I know some people who can help prep you.

Post: #8

I'd send you a PM, but I assume you've already had the interview.

Update?

Post: #9

I think you'd have a hard time getting hired as an associate at a bulge bracket bank unless your contact is a very close ally and is a Senior MD, or head of IBD. There's a pretty clear track to getting hired through the school recruitment process and pretty much every IBD exec has no shortage of kids begging to help them get through the door. They might be able to get you some connections that could get you through the door at a second tier, or boutique bank, however.

My advice to you would be to come off as very smart, but not particularly knowledgeable about the subject of finance. Read the Wall Street journal, but don't come off as as opinionated. As an undergraduate, you're not expected to know much of anything. If you're coming from working for a few years in an industry, then try to come off as very knowledgeable about your business. 9a bulge bracket banker won't care about your connections. Bulge bracket bankers don't need connections. That's the point of bulge bracket.) Really you're pretty much expected to be a lump of obedient, energetic, hard-working clay at a big IBD. If you try to impress them with your knowledge of Wall Street, banking in particular, or finance, you'll just come off as an arrogant, pretentious jack-off. Better to seem bright eyed, and bushy-tailed.

Tell them you're still figuring things out and you wanted to hear what their opinions were. Act like you're impressed with their intellect and insight and keep asking their opinion. Come off like you genuinely respect them and are impressed by their accomplishments - without being too obvious that you're flattering them. Ask them what they think you should do, and then ask them how they'd recommend you proceed. (The goal is to get them invested in your success by following their advice.)

Post: #10

Lots of good stuff here, im not in investment banking myself but have a few friends in the field, - Only thing I can add is that Financial times is a great alternative to the wall street journal for business news, used to have a subscription for both but felt FT came out on top.

Post: #11

Liars Poker
Flash Boys

both by Michael Lewis.

Post: #12

Another good book to read from a technical perspective is:

Investment Banking: Valuation, Leveraged Buyouts, and Mergers and Acquisitions Hardcover

https://www.amazon.com/Investment-Bankin...+rosenbaum

It walks you through the basics of financial modeling. It bridges the gap between college finance classes and some of what you'd actually be doing day to day.

(09-13-2016 03:32 PM)GreyFFM Wrote:  Liars Poker
Flash Boys

both by Michael Lewis.