How to Answer 'Tell Me About Yourself' in Banking Interviews

Why This Question Is Harder Than It Sounds

"Tell me about yourself" is the first question in 90% of IB interviews. It feels easy, which is exactly why most candidates botch it. They either ramble for 3 minutes reciting their CV, or give a 20-second answer that says nothing.

This question sets the tone for everything that follows. A strong answer builds momentum. A weak one puts you on the back foot for the rest of the interview.

The 90-Second Arc

Structure your answer in three parts, taking no more than 90 seconds total:

• Background (15 seconds): Where you are from, where you studied, what you studied. Keep it brief — this is context, not the main event.
• Relevant experience (45 seconds): The most relevant thing you have done — an internship, a project, a role. Focus on what you did and what you learned, not a job description.
• Why you are here (30 seconds): What specifically drew you to this firm and this role. Reference something concrete — a deal, a team, a conversation.

What NOT to Say

• "I am passionate about finance." Everyone says this. It adds zero information.
• "I want to go into PE eventually." This tells the banker you are using their firm as a stepping stone. Even if it is true, do not say it.
• Your entire life story. They do not need to know about your gap year or your childhood ambitions. Stay focused on what is relevant.

Example Answer — Target School Student

"I am in my final year reading Economics at [University], where I developed an interest in corporate finance through a valuation project that won the university investment competition. That led me to a summer internship at [boutique firm], where I worked on two live sell-side mandates in the consumer sector — I built the comparable company analysis and supported the management presentation. That experience confirmed that I want to spend the early part of my career in transaction advisory, and I am particularly drawn to [Bank]'s strength in [sector] and the exposure analysts get to client-facing work from day one."

Example Answer — Career Switcher

"I spent two years in management consulting at [firm], where I led due diligence workstreams on three M&A transactions for private equity clients. Through that work I realised I wanted to be closer to the transaction itself — structuring the deal, running the process, advising on valuation — rather than evaluating it from the outside. That is what draws me to investment banking. I have since completed financial modelling training and built my own DCF and LBO models, and I am particularly interested in [Bank]'s [sector] practice given my consulting background in that space."

Handling Follow-Ups

Your answer should naturally invite follow-up questions. If you mention a deal, be ready to discuss it in detail. If you mention a project, know the numbers. If you reference the firm's work, know the deal specifics.

Common follow-ups: "Tell me more about that internship" — have a 2-minute version ready with specific contributions. "Why not stay in consulting?" — frame it positively (moving toward IB, not away from consulting). "What do you know about our [sector] team?" — reference a specific deal they advised on.

Take Your Preparation Further

For 50+ behavioural questions with STAR framework answers, see the Behavioural Question Bank. Download our free Interview Day Checklist for a complete preparation timeline.

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