Strong negotiating skills, marketing skills, the ability to understand the totality of individual investment deals, and a keen understanding of domestic and foreign financial markets are just a few of the qualities required to become an investment banker, in addition to a comprehensive financial education and adequate work experience. Strong interpersonal skills, analytical skills, the ability to combine and implement multiple strategies to complete investment projects, and a willingness to work 50 hours per week or more are all highly desirable qualities whether working for a financial institution or as a boutique investment banker. Individuals interested in working in this field should have strong math skills as well as strong accounting skills.
Investment banking careers can be highly lucrative and personally rewarding, with some investment bankers earning in excess of $20,000 US Dollars (USD) per week. Working in corporate banking or individual banking, on the other hand, is a highly competitive field. Individuals aspiring to work as investment bankers must therefore possess additional characteristics in order to outperform their competitors and establish a positive reputation in the financial industry.
A person interested in working as an investment banker should also have a natural ability to work as part of a group. Investment bankers are frequently required to bring together executives and other business professionals with strong personalities to complete an investment strategy, so leadership skills are especially valuable in this endeavor. This endeavor necessitates the ability to communicate with people who have a variety of interests and to negotiate various investment structures.
Working with foreign investors, foreign projects, or foreign investment vehicles is not uncommon in the banking industry. Individuals aspiring to work as investment bankers must be able to comprehend the inner workings of foreign financial markets in addition to domestic markets. Furthermore, investment bankers must be able to work well with people from different cultures.
Anyone interested in working in investment banking must be able to perform technical tasks with ease. Creating and reading computer-generated spreadsheets, operating specialized computer programs, and performing and verifying technical research are examples of such tasks. Even if a person possesses all or nearly all of the qualities required to become an investment banker, she or he must be able to network within the industry and market oneself effectively in order to land a job.