Why Investment Banking?
Investment banking is often considered one of the most prestigious careers in the financial world. It offers high compensation, international exposure and the chance to work on high-stakes deals such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A), IPOs and corporate restructuring. In India, as the economy grows and the financial sector matures, the demand for investment bankers is rising steadily. In this article we will find out how to get a job in Investment banking in 2025 in India.
Breaking into this field isn’t easy – it requires the right mix of education, skills, networking, and persistence. This step-by-step guide by Amquest Education provides actionable insights, industry best practices and insider tips to help you land your dream job in investment banking.
How to Get a Job in Investment Banking
Step 1: Understand What Investment Banking Involves
Investment bankers act as intermediaries between corporations, governments, and investors. They help raise capital, advise on transactions and provide valuation and financial modeling services. Common roles include:
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
- Equity & Debt Capital Markets
- Corporate Finance Advisory
- Equity Research and Valuation
In India, leading global players like JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley operate alongside top domestic firms such as Avendus Capital, Kotak Investment Banking and JM Financial.
Step 2: Build a Strong Educational Foundation
Undergraduate Education
Most investment banks in India require at least a bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Commerce, or Business Administration. Graduates from top-tier institutions such as IIMs, IITs, Delhi University, St. Xavier’s, and FMS are often preferred by investment banks due to their rigorous academic training and strong alumni networks.
But today, with the right guidance and hands-on learning, anyone can match that level of preparation. Amquest Education’s Investment Banking course is designed to give you the same industry-aligned knowledge, practical modeling experience and access to mentors – including real bankers who teach you what they look for when hiring.
Yes, it’s possible to get a job into investment banking without an elite degree – if you train like the best, with the best.
Postgraduate Degrees and Certifications
While not mandatory, having a Master’s in Finance or an MBA from a reputed institute (IIM, ISB, or global B-schools) adds credibility.
Professional certifications like:
demonstrate strong command over valuation, accounting, taxation and market analysis – all critical in investment banking roles.
But here’s the truth: Even if you haven’t completed an MBA, CFA, or CA – and hold only a basic undergraduate degree, you can still become an investment banker.
Yes, you heard it right. In today’s market, skills matter more than titles. A postgraduate degree is a respected milestone, but it’s not the only path to success. So, the question is How to Get a Job in Investment Banking?
At Amquest Education, we’ve designed our Investment Banking course to equip graduates with job-ready skills, practical deal experience and AI-driven tools that employers care about. Because what recruiters really want is not just a degree, they want people who can do the job from day one. Here is the answer to the question, How to Get a Job in Investment Banking
Step 3: Develop the Right Skill Set to Become An Investment Banker
Investment banking combines technical proficiency with strategic thinking. Here are the core skills you must master:
Technical Skills
- Financial Modeling & Valuation: Ability to build models from scratch (DCF, comparables, precedent transactions).
- Excel Proficiency: Advanced functions and automation.
- Accounting & Finance Knowledge: Strong command of financial statements, ratios, and regulatory compliance.
- Tools: AI tools and platforms for data collection, churning and financial analysis.
- Data Visualization: Learn to play with the data to get insights and stories using Power BI, Tableau, and AI visualization tools.
Soft Skills
- Attention to detail
- Listening Skills
- Strong communication and storytelling skills
- Time management and resilience under pressure
- Problem-solving and analytical reasoning
Attention to Detail
What’s Expected:
Investment bankers work with complex financial data, legal documents, models, and presentations where even a small error can cost millions or damage credibility. You’re expected to catch inconsistencies, double-check formulas, and produce flawless work — especially in pitch decks, valuations, or deal term sheets.
Recruiters test this in case studies, modeling tasks or by asking you to find errors in a spreadsheet.
Listening Skills
What’s Expected:
You’ll often be working directly with clients, senior bankers or regulatory bodies. Listening carefully ensures you understand the client’s needs, project goals or compliance requirements correctly.
You’re expected to absorb information fully before responding, ask clarifying questions and reflect a client-centric mindset.
This is assessed during client role-play or panel interviews.
Strong Communication and Storytelling Skills
What’s Expected:
Investment bankers must convert complex financial data into clear, persuasive narratives – whether in an investor pitch, internal memo or client presentation. You should be able to present your analysis confidently, write crisp emails and articulate the “why” behind the numbers.
Recruiters look for clarity, logic and structure in your answers, especially in case interviews and presentations.
Time Management and Resilience Under Pressure
What’s Expected:
You’re often juggling multiple live deals, client calls and urgent requests, all under tight deadlines. You must prioritize smartly, manage fatigue and still deliver high-quality work. Investment banking is infamous for long hours, so mental stamina and professionalism under stress are essential.
Recruiters often ask: “Tell me about a time you handled a high-pressure deadline.”
Problem-Solving and Analytical Reasoning
What’s Expected:
You’ll be solving open-ended problems: Should this company acquire another? Is this IPO priced correctly? Should we restructure their debt? You need to break down the issue, build a logical approach and support it with data and finance knowledge. Think like a consultant, but with sharper financial intuition.
This is evaluated in guesstimates, market sizing, financial case studies and even modeling rounds.
Step 4: Gain Real-World Experience
A. Internships
Internships are the gateway to investment banking. Top firms like Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley and BNP Paribas offer structured summer analyst programs.
How to Apply:
- Visit official career pages of investment banks.
- Apply through campus placements or platforms like LinkedIn or Naukri.com
- Reach out to alumni or HR professionals via LinkedIn.
Crack Internships with Confidence and Land a Job with Your Dream Banker With Amquest Education’s Investment Banking Course, you’re not just learning theory, you’re:
- Building real-world financial models
- Practicing interview rounds with ex-bankers
- Getting referred through our placement network
Internships are competitive – but with the right skills, the right mentorship and the right support system, you can stand out.
How to Get a Job in Investment Banking TIP:
Amquest Education’s placement cell actively supports internship placements with top-tier banks through its network.
Your dream role in investment banking doesn’t start with luck.
It starts with Amquest.
B. Entry-Level Roles
With the required skill sets discussed above, the fresh graduates or Chartered Accountants or MBS’s or CFA Level 1 and Level 2 candidates can start as:
- Investment Banking Analysts
- Corporate Finance Associates
- Equity Research Analysts
If you’re a CA or MBA or CFA, learning financial modelling, valuation and financial analytics with AI through Amquest’s Investment Banking Course can bridge the gap and make you job-ready for these roles.
What If You’re Not a CA or MBA or CFA?
Even if you’re from a non-postgraduate background like B.Com, BAF (Bachelor of Accounting & Finance), BBI (Banking & Insurance), BFM (Bachelor of Financial Market) or Economics (Hons.), you can still break into investment banking. Our course is designed to provide the core technical skills, live project exposure, and industry mentorship that top employers look for—without needing to pursue an expensive MBA. By combining practical financial training with AI-powered tools and placement support, Amquest Education makes investment banking careers accessible to driven graduates from all commerce and finance streams and is the answer to the question How to Get a Job in Investment Banking.
So, you don’t need a fancy MBA, time taking CA or CFA or big-shot connections to get into investment banking.
All you need is the right skills, a sharp resume and the guidance to reach the right recruiters.
At Amquest Education, we help B.Com, BAF, BBI, BFM and Economics students build IB careers from scratch – through practical training, AI-powered tools and real placement support. Still thinking on How to Get a Job in Investment Banking, let’s read more.
Step 5: Build and Leverage Your Network
Networking is crucial in this industry. Many job opportunities are filled via referrals and alumni networks.
Ways to Network Effectively
- Attend finance summits and workshops by CFA Institute or Amquest Education.
- Connect with professionals on LinkedIn, target alumni from your college or industry insiders.
- Join finance-focused communities and forums on Reddit, Quora, or CFA Society groups.
- Seek mentorship from investment banking professionals.
Bonus: Amquest’s Alumni Mentorship Program connects students with working professionals for guidance and referrals.
Step 6: Craft a Winning Resume and Cover Letter
Resume Tips
- Stick to a 1-page format with clear, quantified achievements.
- Highlight hard skills (financial modeling, Excel, Bloomberg, AI) and your project work in core domain.
- Use bullet points that reflect deal experience, even if simulated.
Example: “Built a 3-statement financial model for a $5M hypothetical M&A deal as part of Amquest’s capstone project.”
Cover Letter Tips
- Customize for each firm. Mention specific deals or values you admire.
- Show genuine interest in finance and awareness of market trends.
- Mention relevant training or certifications.
Bonus: Amquest’s Resume & Interview Workshops ensure your application materials meet top-tier hiring standards. We know how to do it, get you the best investment bankers to guide you at every step. At Amquest, we turn your question from How to Get a Job in Investment Banking to a roadmap to get a rewarding career in Investment banking.
Final Thoughts: Your Investment Banking Career Starts Now
Getting into investment banking in India is competitive, but entirely possible with the right preparation, credentials and strategy. It’s not just about technical know-how, it’s about positioning yourself as a high-value candidate through education, skills, networking and internships.
At Amquest Education, we offer specialized training in Investment Banking, including:
- Financial Modeling & Valuation
- CFA & CA Bridge Curriculum
- Resume and Interview Coaching
- Alumni Mentorship and Placement Support
Ready to begin your investment banking journey?
- Explore our Investment Banking Course
- Know the Top 10 Boutique Investment Banks for Start your Career
FAQs: How to Get a Job in Investment Banking in India
What is the eligibility to become an investment banker in India?
A bachelor's degree in finance-related fields is a minimum. An MBA or CFA certification adds an edge but not mandatory. You must have the right skills to become the investment banker.
Can a fresher become an investment banker?
Yes, freshers can enter through internships or analyst programs if they have relevant education, skills and training.
Is CFA necessary for investment banking?
Not mandatory. CFA shows deep understanding of valuation, ethics and financial markets. Even the CFA candidates and Charterholders are required to acquire the technical skills to get into investment banking.
Does Amquest Education help with placements?
Yes. Amquest provides placement support and connects students with reputed MNC and boutique investment banks like BNP Paribas, JM Financial and more.
