Career in investment Banking in India
If you are wondering how to become an investment banker in India or abroad, your friends probably told you that it helps to get an MBA from one of the best MBA colleges in the world that open the doors to investment banking jobs. But the best investment banking courses in India or abroad won’t help if you don’t have the right traits and attitude.
A former bulge bracket investment banker who prefers to go by his pen-name ibanker shares helpful tips that you can use to become an investment banker in India, UK, USA and pretty much everywhere else.
by ibanker
An investment banker is one of the most fascinating characters of our time. A high-flying man or woman of finance with razor sharp mental ability, juggling billion dollar deals in fancy suits while traveling the world and making lots of money.
Thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of young people around the world dream of joining this league of extraordinary business people.
So you’ve decided that it is a path you’d like to pursue and are committed to becoming one of these global jets-setters. Read on.
How I became an investment banker without the right degree and experience
I didn’t have the typical profile investment banks sought from candidates. Before banking I worked for two tech startups. I did some development work in the Caribbean and the Middle East.
What’s more, I was always trying my hand at different things on the side. Little entrepreneurial ventures here and there. In fact, I had so many positions in my CV bank recruiters always worried I’d join and leave within 6 months.
I even moved to Hollywood for nearly a year to pursue a career in film. No joke.
So when I first applied to investment banks I had no traction. I got rejected time and time again. But I was determined to get into banking. I was relentless and I spent time building relationships – one of, if not, the most important thing you can do. Eventually I found a back door.
After gaining deal experience within an investment bank, I set up my own investment company and I now do deals with clients from all over the world, including India.
In the paragraphs that follow, I’ll provide some advice that will hopefully help you get there.
Believe that you can break into investment banking
First things first, you must get over any self-doubt.
“Do I have what it takes to become an investment banker?”
“Can I handle the investment banking job?
You do. You can.
I’m not just saying this. I mean it 100%. There’s nothing magical about the craft of investment banking.
The hard part is breaking in.
I’ve worked with people you’d never in a million years think they had what it takes to become bankers.
When you run into an investment banker who’s been in the business for at least a few years and you get impressed, always keep in mind that they very likely underwent a transformation.
They received training, got deal experience and have been surrounded by more professional people, through whom they learned a lot. Anyone in that position will change and become a better business person over time. You will too.
Haven’t studied at an Ivy League, Oxbridge, IIT, IIM, etc?
I’d be lying if I told you that where you studied is irrelevant. The better the business school, the easier it is to break into the investment banking industry. BUT, it’s still difficult even if you went to the best school.
Where you studied isn’t a make or break. Most students from top schools who chase the banking dream never get in. There aren’t enough positions available.
What’s more, when you look at the bios of most bankers you see that a significant proportion didn’t go to the top schools.
I know many people who work in banking in financial centers like London, New York, Mumbai, Singapore, Los Angeles and more. Most didn’t attend the top schools.
If you haven’t studied at a brand name school you just need to compensate for it in other ways.
No single path to become an investment banker
There’s no sequential set of steps you follow and then break into the investment banking business.
Just because Venkatesh broke in one way, Farhan got in another way and Bhupender made it using his own strategy, it doesn’t mean you’ve got to follow one of them.
You need to chart your own path. It’s like setting sail across the ocean…many paths can get you to your destination.
And you can’t predict the trajectory because forces outside of your control (e.g. storm) can meet with you along the way.
The world isn’t fair
Some of my friends were extended internships and investment banking jobs without having to do any work. Daddy knew this person. Mommy knew that person.
That’s life. It’s not going to change anytime soon, if ever.
An extremely powerful recommendation: When you witness this phenomenon at work, do not get into the habit of blaming the system.
You must believe that you are in control of your fate. Otherwise, for every little bump you hit, and there will be many in life, you’ll play the blame game.
Most people love to blame. Makes them feel better because, according to that mechanism, it’s not their fault if things don’t turn out the way they would like them to.
Don’t blame and believe you can control your destiny. It’s the only way you’ll achieve great things.
Failure is good
You learn so much from failures. Ever successful person, from finance to philanthropy, has had more than their fair share of it. Learn from those experiences.
It’s better to act than do nothing – and remain boring!
Just because you read articles or watch television programmes that show the vast accomplishments of an individual don’t think it’s all been a joy ride for them.
When things don’t work out, remember that it’s temporary. Think about what you can take away from the experience.
Failure is experience. Get a lot of it.
The illusion of ‘busyness’
In the early 20th century, an Italian named Vilfredo Pareto came up with what’s become know as the Pareto Principle. He observed that, surprisingly, 80% of Italy’s land was owned by 20% of the people.
Different ways to look at this:
- A small number of families own the majority of real estate in Mumbai
- A small percentage of Bollywood actors make the big bucks
- A small number of your irritating habits will end up embarrassing you the most
- You catch my drift…
In short, cut out the 80% you’re wasting time on and focus on the 20% that makes a difference. Most people keep doing the wrong things over and over.
