Khaled Shaheen Outlines What Every Potential Banker Needs For Their First Job

If you want to get a job in investment banking, then you’ve got to get experience. There are no jobs for anybody that’s not experienced. While that may sound like a difficult reality, or one that just doesn’t make sense, that’s because it’s a long road to finding a job in banking. There are a ton of things that you need to do in this type of career if you want to make a go of things. Here’s what you’ll find, based on Khaled Shaheen’s vast well of knowledge:

Get an internship

This should be the first thing that you look to acquire. An internship is your key to finding a job that matters. That’s because this is basically the equivalent of getting hired with no experience. This is where you earn that experience, and show that you’ve worked in the field before.

Get involved in the field

If you can’t get an internship, or even as another asset to your internship, write a paper. Submit to publications that revolve around investment banking. Start a website. Anything that can illustrate your expertise with the topic.

Don’t be too confident in your abilities.

Personality really matters when you’re applying to investment banking gigs. Junior bankers want people that they can trust, but that are comfortable working as a part of a team. People that they wouldn’t mind spending several hours with throughout the day.

Prepping for the Modern World of Investment Banking Careers

As a major part of SBIG Holdings, Khaled Shaheen knows everything about modern investment banking. Including the career side of things. Getting your first job at a major firm is always going to be difficult, especially right out of school. That’s why there are some things that have to be done should you hope to have success. This includes:

1. Relevant experience.

Internships are your best friend, and taking jobs that don’t pay well are also your best friend. Anything that gets you relevant industry experience is a massive bonus, especially if you’re able to use them as a reference.

2. Write for your audience.

Nine times out of ten your paper is going to be reviewed by a junior banker that has a stack a mile high to go through. So write for them. Ensure that you hit the points that they are looking for, and that your work is succinct and to the point. Don’t waste somebody’s time, and ensure that they can instantly see why you’re a prime candidate for any given position.

3. Have your resume reviewed by insiders.

If you have the opportunity to get your resume reviewed by someone in the industry, before submission, always take that opportunity. They can actually provide insight into what a junior banker might be looking for, and they can tell you what they expect to see in an industry resume.