The best way to spin ER experience is to talk about deals that the companies you followed were involved in. For example, did one of the companies issue equity, debt, or acquire another company? If so, you can talk about how that led you to become more interested in banking and how you had to learn about deal analysis in the process.

If not, make up something and say that one of the companies you followed was “rumored” to be interested in a deal, and so you had to research several potential deals and forecast their impact on your company.

I am a currently a senior year student at a Brazilian target school and I´m 9 months into an Equity Research internship at a Bulge-bracket bank and want to transition into an IB internship.

I had trouble spinning my ER experience in an IB Boutique interview I did a while back, so I´d appreciate your opinion on how I can go about making my ER research internship sound relevant. I have 2 interviews at national bulge-bracket firms coming up.

I´m at a disadvantage because I graduate in 8 months an banks usually prefer candidates with at least 18 months left until graduation.

1) Make sure you speak Portuguese fluently and can write a 50-page business report in it, or you have no chance.

2) Network with people in the office by looking them up on LinkedIn, emailing them to introduce yourself, and asking about the position.

3) Then, apply, and make sure they know that you’re applying to the role as well and ask for them to recommend your application.

So how about the reverse—what’s the strategy for applying here from the USA to an American Investment Bank for a internship they have listed in Brazil?

I see a position that Im very excited to apply to, but just have no idea what the best plan of attack to actually get through would be..

Best, Joseph

I don’t think it will be easier to get in in France, at least based on previous interviews and comments:

https://mergersandinquisitions.com/france-investment-banking/

You’re better off applying for roles in the U.S. or U.K. because the industry is much bigger, and they’re more open to hiring international students. After Trump and Brexit, who knows, but at least that is how it has been until recently…

I’m graduating this year from one of these target schools in Rio and I have 11-month internship experience at one multi-family office and I’m heading to my 6th month of internship at another single-family office. I’ve been working at wealth management due to the lack of options in Rio and to the fact that there’s almost no summer internships spots in São Paulo, but my real dream is to work in IB since I found out about this website (~5 years ago).
I’m afraid I’m stuck here because as pointed in the interview, full-time recruiting is not common.I’ve been thinking of pursuing a Master’s degree in France and then try to break into IB there(visa and language skills will not be a problem), but I’m not sure that this will be easier than just staying here in Brazil. Do you have any clue on that ?

Your main options would be: 1) Work at a domestic firm in Brazil first, and then transfer to NYC once you’ve been there for around a year. Transferring is often easier because they will handle the visa issues for you. 2) Complete a Master’s degree or other degree in the U.S., do internships, and then work at a firm in NYC after you graduate.

It would be nearly impossible to just go there and look for a job unless you’re in school or your current firm is helping you transfer.

My question is, am I able to work with finance in New York? Should I do a master? I am really passionate about finance (do investments since I was 18 years old, already read the Intelligent Investor and Security Analysis).

Thanks! We had a previous interview on IB in Mexico (https://mergersandinquisitions.com/investment-banking-mexico/), but thanks for confirming those points.