We surveyed 2,250 investment bankers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical investment banker. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as an investment banker?
Low
High
Working as an investment banker typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that investment bankers are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.
Can I learn to become an investment banker?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as an investment banker typically depends predominantly on qualities you’re born with, with a small aspect of skills you can learn.
Is it easy to get a job as an investment banker?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically difficult to find a job as an investment banker. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for investment bankers.
Do investment bankers work full-time or part-time?
95% of investment bankers work in full-time roles while 5% work part-time.
Is being an investment banker stressful?
Low
High
Stress is very commonplace for investment bankers, contributing negatively towards career satisfaction.
Is being organized important as an investment banker?
Low
High
Some level of organization is generally required to be an investment banker.
How competitive is the workplace for investment bankers?
Low
High
Investment bankers tend to see lots of competition in the workplace, with desire to get ahead of co-workers being common.
Does being an investment banker require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Investment bankers will see frequent time pressure on the job, likely contributing to an occasionally stressful work environment.
Are investment bankers allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Investment bankers rarely get a chance to express themselves creatively.
Do investment bankers have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
Investment bankers tend to have a set and inflexible work schedule that they are unable to deviate from too much.
Is being an investment banker physically demanding?
Low
High
Work as an investment bankers is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.
Are investment bankers exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
While sometimes repetitive, investment bankers tend to have opportunities for variety in their work.
Does being an investment banker require attention to detail?
Low
High
Attention to detail is a vital skill for investment bankers, as small mistakes can make or break one's ability to succeed in the career.
Does being a good investment banker require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
The ability to be compassion and empathetic isn't considered fundamental to success as an investment banker.