Investment banks facilitate the issuing of securities by companies and governments, sell securities to investors, manage the financial assets for high net-worth individuals and companies, and give financial advice on investments and securities. Long hours are the norm in the high-risk, high-reward job of an investment banker. The numbers of positions that open each year are very small yet there are usually 30 to 50 applicants for each opening. Many people want to become an investment banker. The competition for these positions is very competitive. Here is a guide on how to improve your chance of landing a job as an investment banker.

The first step is to determine what type of position you would prefer as an investment banker. The industry is segmented into bulge bracket companies, boutique companies and international companies. Boutique companies focus on a small segment of the market or a vertical market. This is a great way to gain experience. Turnover is usually lower in boutique companies and you have a better chance of getting training working for these types of companies. Bulge bracket companies are the large companies like Chase and Wells Fargo. The hours and demands at these companies are greater, the turnover is much higher and the pay is usually more. International companies are located outside of the US in cities with major finance centers like London, Tokyo and Paris. These positions usually require the ability to speak multiple languages fluently.

The best way to get a job as an undergraduate is to secure an internship with an investment banking firm. The internship will give you an opportunity to work one or two summers with the company. The company will be able to evaluate your ability to perform the duties of the position. If the company is pleased with your work, you have an almost guaranteed chance of being hired after graduation. This is the best way to eventually land a job in investment banking.

Another method of getting a job is to graduate with a high GPA from a school that is targeted by an investment banking company. These companies will interview almost exclusively at selected universities. It is not unusual for the company to fill almost 90 percent of the vacancies with students from these selected universities. Attending these universities will give you a better chance at being hired by one of these companies.

If you do not have an internship or graduate from an Ivy League school, the best chance you have to get a job in investment banking is through networking. You should actively use the alumni network at your school to make contacts with graduates that are currently working in the industry. They may be willing to give a chance to a graduate of their alma mater.

With the proliferation of social media, it is possible to network with people in the industry using tools such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. The best recommendation is to start networking your first year in school. This will allow you to build a very large network of contacts that you can call upon when you reach graduation.

Sometimes getting a position in investment banking depends on where you went to school, where you worked or who you know.