| The finance industry is one of the largest sectors in | | | | leading investment banks. Deals can include initial public |
| most | | | | |
| developed economies and as such offers many | | | | offerings of major industry players and soon-to-be |
| opportunities to | | | | market |
| build an exciting and rewarding career. One area | | | | leaders. Depending on the industry and location, |
| which | | | | transactions can also be industry changing events |
| attracts much attention is investment banking. It's a | | | | such as |
| high | | | | privatisations of state controlled entities.As an |
| profile part of the industry because of the types of | | | | investment banker there is always the opportunity to |
| business that it specialises in - arranging stock market | | | | meet and interact with senior people. Not only is this |
| listings, mega-bond offerings and takeovers for | | | | an |
| businesses | | | | opportunity to better understand how top people in a |
| seeking financing and expansion. It is also one of the | | | | given |
| most | | | | industry think and operate, it can present opportunities |
| lucrative areas in finance, commanding six figure | | | | at |
| salaries | | | | many points along the career path. On top of private |
| for first year. Accordingly, investment banking is a | | | | sector |
| magnet | | | | contacts, there may also be interaction with senior |
| for those seeking high flying careers. This article, part | | | | government officials, especially in countries where the |
| one of a three part series explores the investment | | | | state maintains a high level of investment an industry. |
| banking | | | | These all important connections can prove useful.For |
| industry including the good, the bad and the ugly.Part | | | | those that are attracted to leadership and |
| one discusses some of the advantages and | | | | responsibility, investment banks do not disappoint. The |
| attractions of | | | | rapid pace of the industry means that those |
| working in investment banking.It's in the money! Of | | | | progressing |
| course one of the top attractions for | | | | through the ranks can be given significant levels of |
| many is the potential money that comes attached to | | | | responsibility. It is quite normal for those in their |
| jobs in | | | | mid-thirties to be responsible for entire business units. |
| the industry. The industry demands a lot from the | | | | Investment banking is a big plus for those that like to |
| people | | | | be |
| that work in it both in ability and commitment. To | | | | boss, although it must be noted that there are many |
| attract | | | | levels |
| top talent, the industry rolls out large pay packets. | | | | of management within the larger banks.Finally, a |
| Bulge | | | | career as an investment banker can offer the |
| bracket firms such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan | | | | opportunity for extensive travel, whether it is between |
| Stanley and | | | | |
| Merrill Lynch can pay more than six figures for | | | | cities within the country or as is more and more |
| b-school | | | | common, |
| grads. On top of that, there are sign-on and year-end | | | | across international borders. As bankers progress |
| bonuses that can double, triple or generate even | | | | through VP |
| higher | | | | and Managing Director levels, there is the requirement |
| multiples of base salary. At senior levels the | | | | to |
| compensation | | | | spend more time cultivating and developing client |
| reaches even higher levels of the stratosphere - | | | | relationships. Often this is done in different cities and |
| managing | | | | different global locations. It can be exciting as well as |
| directors can expect as much as mid-seven figures in | | | | enlightening to experience the different cultures and |
| good | | | | places |
| years.Another allure is the fast paced action on offer. | | | | located outside of your doorstep.And there it is some |
| There's | | | | of the main attractions for signing up |
| never a dull moment as an investment banker. The | | | | as an investment banker - money, travel, action, |
| work | | | | prestige, |
| involved in arranging share sales, bond offerings, | | | | leadership and high level connections. Listed together |
| acquisitions and sales of entire businesses is fast | | | | these |
| paced | | | | almost sound like a cliché for the original role of |
| and complex where details and variables can change | | | | James |
| rapidly | | | | Bond and perhaps explains why many ambitious |
| with movements in the markets. This presents a huge | | | | graduates are |
| | | | so interested in pursuing investment banking careers.In |
| challenge for those delivering the goods and ensures | | | | part two, the flipside is discussed. Yes, there is a |
| that | | | | downside. Find out the negatives of life as an |
| life is almost always moving quickly.The prestige | | | | investment |
| factor can also be attractive to some. The | | | | banker "Investment Banking Questions II - is it for |
| nature of the business often involves working with | | | | you?"Want to be an investment banker? Getting in |
| major | | | | can be almost impossible even if you've got top |
| public and private sector organisations, particularly at | | | | grades and the background to match. You really need |
| the | | | | to ace the interview. |