In
investment banking, who you know can be as important as what you know. But how do you build meaningful connections that can fast-track your career? How do you network without feeling awkward, pushy, or fake?
Mastering this skill is one of the cornerstones of landing that dream job after graduation.
Let's dive in and master how to network for investment banking.
Networking in Investment Banking: Why it Matters More Than Anywhere Else
Is networking just exchanging business cards at stuffy events? Think again.
In investment banking, networking is your lifeline to opportunities that never get posted online.
Here's the reality:
more than half of finance positions are filled through internal referrals and networking connections. That means only 20% of jobs ever make it to public job boards. Without a strong network, you're fighting for scraps while others can walk through the front door.
Investment banking is about:
- Pitching deals
- Managing relationships with clients
- Working in tight-knit teams on intense projects
So, naturally, banks look for people who can build trust, communicate well, and navigate social dynamics. You won’t get that from a spreadsheet. But you will get it through networking.
But here's the good news:
Networking in investment banking isn't rocket science. It's about building genuine relationships with people who share your professional interests.
Understanding the Investment Banking Ecosystem
Before you start networking, you need to understand who's who in the investment banking world. It's like a pyramid, and knowing where everyone sits helps you target your efforts.
The hierarchy typically looks like this:
- Managing Directors (MDs): The big bosses who make final hiring decisions
- Directors: Senior professionals who manage client relationships
- Vice Presidents (VPs): Mid-level managers who oversee day-to-day operations
- Associates: Usually MBA graduates who manage analysts
- Analysts: Entry-level professionals, often recent college graduates
Each level offers different networking opportunities. MDs might seem intimidating, but they're often the most helpful when they do engage. VPs and Directors are usually your sweet spot in that they are senior enough to have influence but accessible enough to build relationships with.
Where to Find Investment Banking Professionals
Here are 3 places to get started with Investment Banking networking:
1. Industry Events and Conferences
Investment banking professionals love their conferences. These events are networking goldmines if you know how to work them.
Major events to consider:
- SIFMA Annual Meeting: The biggest gathering of securities industry professionals
- Conferences: Great for meeting research-focused professionals
- Local banking association events: More intimate settings for deeper conversations
Look out for webinars, online workshops, and in-person networking events. Sites like Eventbrite, Meetup, and even
Redcliffe Training offer events where you can meet professionals in your field.
Pro Tip: Don't just show up and hope for the best. Research the speaker list beforehand and identify 3-5 people you'd like to meet. Then reach out on LinkedIn before the event, saying you'll be attending and would love to connect. Come prepared with 2-3 good questions. People remember the ones who ask thoughtful questions, not those who just hand out business cards like candy.
2. Alumni Networks
Your school's alumni network is pure gold. Investment bankers are surprisingly loyal to their alma mater and often go out of their way to help fellow graduates.
Here's how to tap into this resource:
- Contact your career services office for alumni contact lists
- Join your school's finance or investment club alumni groups
- Attend alumni networking events in major financial centres
3. Professional Organisations
Joining the right professional organisations puts you in regular contact with industry professionals. Consider these groups:
- CFA Institute: For those interested in research and analysis
- Risk Management Association (RMA): Great for credit and risk professionals
- Young Professionals organisations: Most major cities have finance-focused young professional groups
4. Virtual Networking Events
The pandemic changed networking forever. Virtual events are now common and can be more accessible than in-person gatherings.
Tips for virtual networking:
- Test your technology beforehand
- Have good lighting and a professional background
- Follow up more deliberately since virtual connections feel less personal
- Join breakout rooms when available
How to Network on LinkedIn for Investment Banking
LinkedIn can be used as your networking command centre. But most people use it wrong.
Optimising Your Profile
Your LinkedIn profile needs to scream "future investment banker" without being too obvious about it. Here's what matters:
- Professional headshot: Invest in a good photo. You're asking people to trust you with millions of pounds or dollars
- Compelling headline: Instead of "Finance Student," try "Aspiring Investment Banking Professional | Finance Graduate | Passionate About Capital Markets"
- Detailed experience section: Quantify everything. "Analysed financial statements" becomes "Analysed financial statements for 15+ companies, identifying key investment criteria"
While LinkedIn is essential, don't ignore other platforms. For example, X (follow investment banking professionals) and engage thoughtfully with their content. You should also research company websites. Read recent deal announcements and reach out with thoughtful questions.
Just make sure your profile is backed up by substance. Continuously develop skills that matter in investment banking:
- Financial modeling
- Valuation techniques
- Industry knowledge
- Communication skills
The Connection Strategy
Sending connection requests is an art form. The default "I'd like to add you to my professional network" message gets ignored. Try this approach instead:
"Hi [Name], I came across your profile and was inspired by your work at [Company]. I'm a [your background] looking to break into investment banking, and I'd love to learn from your impressive experience. Would you be open to a brief phone call or coffee meeting?"Keep it short, specific, and focused on learning rather than asking for favours. And if they agree to a coffee chat, keep reading on to learn how to nail this meeting.
Following Up Like a Pro
Here's where most people fail: they connect and then disappear. Stay on people's radar by:
- Commenting thoughtfully on their posts
- Sharing relevant industry articles
- Congratulating them on promotions or deals
- Checking in every few months with updates on your progress
Building Relationships That Matter
Would you rather have 500 LinkedIn connections who don't know you or 50 people who would pick up the phone when you call? The answer should be obvious.
Focus on building genuine relationships with a smaller group of people. This means remembering personal details about their career and interests, following their company's recent deals and asking informed questions; even offering help when you can, even if it's just sharing a relevant article.
The Coffee Meeting Formula
The informational interview is your secret weapon. But there's a right way and a wrong way to do it.
Wrong way: "Can you help me get a job at your firm?"
No value provided, awkward and smells desperate, right?
Right way: "I'm exploring a career in investment banking and would love to learn about your experience."
Come prepared with thoughtful investment banking coffee chat questions:
- "What's the most challenging part of your role?"
- "How has the industry changed since you started?"
- "What skills would you recommend developing for someone starting out?"
- "Are there any books or resources that shaped your thinking?"
Networking Strategies for Different Career Stages
Let's look at what you can do depending on your current situation:
For College Students:
If you're still in school, you have unique networking advantages. Investment banks actively recruit on campus, giving you direct access to professionals. Make the most of:
- Campus recruiting events: These aren't just about applying for jobs. See them as a key time for networking opportunities
- Finance club activities: Join and take leadership roles
- Career fairs: Treat these as practice for real networking
- Professor connections: Ask your professor! Many finance professors have industry connections that they are happy to share, as long as you put in the work.
For Career Changers: Switching careers into investment banking requires a different networking approach. You need to overcome the "why investment banking?" question before you even get to the "why you?" question. Focus on:
- Highlighting transferable skills: Show how your background adds unique value
- Industry events: Attend conferences and seminars to demonstrate commitment
- MBA programs: Consider an MBA for the network and credibility
- Lateral connections: Look for people who have made similar career transitions
For International Professionals: Breaking into investment banking as an international professional comes with unique challenges, but also opportunities. Consider:
- Cultural organisations: Many cities have professional organisations for specific nationalities
- International business events: Leverage your global perspective
- Language skills: Highlight any language abilities that could be valuable
- Home country connections: Use connections from your home country who work internationally
Common Networking Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Here are some quick things to AVOID doing in your IB networking journey:
Mistake #1: Only Networking When You Need Something
The biggest networking mistake is treating it like a vending machine. In other words, insert a request, receive favour.
Real networking is about building relationships over time.
Network consistently, whether you need something or not. Share interesting articles, congratulate people on successes, and stay in touch regularly.
Mistake #2: Being Too Transactional
As we have already touched on, "Hi, can you refer me for this job?" is not networking; it's begging.
A better approach is to build relationships first, demonstrate value, and let opportunities emerge naturally.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Junior Professionals
Everyone wants to network with MDs, but they ignore analysts and associates. This is backwards thinking.
You should try to build relationships at all levels. Today's analyst is tomorrow's VP who might be hiring.
Mistake #4: Not Following Through
You meet someone great, exchange cards, and then... nothing. This happens more often than you'd think.
Follow up within 48 hours of meeting someone. Reference something you tackled from your conversation to show you were paying attention.
Mistake #5: Putting ALL Your Eggs in the Networking Basket
Whilst networking is a powerful approach and is highly advantageous, job boards and online applications are still utilised for certain roles.
Measuring Your Networking Success
How to tell if your networking efforts are working? Here are key metrics to track:
Quantity Metrics:
- Number of new connections made monthly
- Response rate to outreach messages
- Number of informational interviews completed
Quality Metrics:
- The number of people who remember you months later
- Referrals or introductions received
- Job opportunities that come through your network
Relationship Depth:
- How many people would take your call immediately?
- How many people proactively share opportunities with you?
- How many professional references do you have?
Aim for steady progress rather than dramatic spikes. Networking is a marathon, not a sprint.
Your Networking Action Plan Checklist
Ready to start building your investment banking network? Here's your 90-day action plan:
Days 1-30: Foundation Building
- Optimise your LinkedIn profile
- Join 2-3 relevant professional organisations
- Identify 20 professionals you'd like to connect with
- Reach out to 5 people for informational interviews
Days 31-60: Relationship Development
- Complete 3-5 informational interviews
- Attend 2 industry events or webinars
- Start engaging regularly on LinkedIn
- Follow up with everyone you've met
Days 61-90: Momentum Building
- Expand your target list to 50 professionals
- Begin creating and sharing content
- Ask for warm introductions where appropriate
- Track your networking metrics and adjust your approach
Remember, networking is a skill that improves with practice. Your first few attempts might feel awkward, but persistence pays off in the long run.
The Bottom Line on Investment Banking Networking
Networking in investment banking isn't about sucking up or playing politics. It's about building genuine professional relationships with people who share your interests and ambitions. The most successful investment bankers understand that their network is their net worth.
The key is to start early, be consistent, and always focus on building real relationships rather than simply collecting contacts. Every coffee meeting, every LinkedIn connection, and every industry event is an investment in your future career.
The investment banking industry rewards those who understand that success is about who you know and, more importantly, who knows you. Your network will become one of your most valuable professional assets, opening doors throughout your career that you never even knew existed.
So stop waiting for the perfect moment to start networking. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.
But networking is just one piece of the puzzle. Now you know how to network for investment banking, to stand out in competitive investment banking interviews, you need the technical skills and industry knowledge that employers demand.
Our comprehensive investment banking courses are for ambitious professionals like you who want to accelerate their careers. You'll master financial modelling, valuation techniques, and deal analysis, the exact skills that separate successful candidates from the rest.
Explore our Investment Banking courses, take the next step in your career and join thousands of professionals who have already transformed their careers with our expert-led training.
FAQ
Is 25 too old for IB?
No, 25 is not too old for investment banking. Many analysts start after completing a master's, an MBA, or working for a few years in another field. What matters most is your skillset, drive, and ability to handle the demands of the role.
When to start networking for investment banking?
Start networking for investment banking as early as possible, ideally in your first year of university. If you're later in your career or making a switch, start immediately. Building genuine connections takes time, so the earlier you begin, the better your chances for referrals and interviews.