Industry: Investment Banking Graduate Jobs

How do you get a graduate investment banking job?

Investment banking is an incredibly profitable career path and if you enjoy juggling figures and making lightning fast decisions then it could be the graduate career path for you.

Most investment banks require a graduate with a 2:1 or higher and often 300 UCAS points. Subjects like maths or finance are a benefit due to the nature of the job however they are not a necessity that is required to get into graduate investment banking.

What can I expect to be doing as an investment banker?

The core element of an investment banker's job is financial advice to company clients. You should therefore have a keen awareness of current affairs and be on top of financial news. You will be making sometimes difficult decisions under quite significant pressure and so should thrive under these kinds of environments. Despite what your degree was in your must have exceptional mathematical skills and the ability to analyse data both written and numerical quickly and efficiently.

Career progression

Graduate investment banking usually starts with an analyst role which can last up to three years. Most graduates find this to be a good thing because it eases you into a very rigorous and competitive environment. The next step is usually the title of a fund manager and this and income progress as you take on more accounts and confidently deal with clients.

The challenges

Not so much a difficulty but you will have to be prepared to work long and sometimes irregular hours in stressful situations. But if you have investment banking as a graduate career aspiration then that should not be a problem.

Expected salary

Investment banking is known to be a very lucrative profession. As a graduate investment banker you can expect to start on a figure around £30,000 and it is not unheard of for veterans of the business to earn a six figure sum.