Informational Interview Questions for Banking
Stop asking "What's your average day like?" and start running calls that actually convert to referrals. 30 proven questions, the exact 25-minute structure, and the framework that turns a single call into a job offer.
Why "What's Your Average Day Like?" Kills Your Chances
Bankers take 50+ networking calls a year. They can tell within 90 seconds whether you've done your homework or whether you're reading from a generic question list you found on Reddit.
Questions like "What's your average day like?" or "How did you get into banking?" signal one thing: you didn't prepare, and you're wasting their time. This is googleable information. Every analyst's day looks roughly the same. Asking this tells the banker you haven't done even basic research.
Questions That Get You Ghosted
- • "What's a typical day like?"
- • "How did you get into banking?"
- • "What do you like most about your job?"
- • "Can you tell me about your firm?"
- • "What advice do you have for someone trying to break in?"
Questions That Get You Referred
- • "What does a live deal week look like in [Group]?"
- • "What made you choose [Firm] over [Competitor]?"
- • "What separates top-bucket analysts from the rest?"
- • "If you were breaking in today, what would you do differently?"
- • "What's the most interesting deal you've worked on this year?"
Pro Tip: Use audio calls over video for first interactions. Bankers are more relaxed on audio — they can take the call from anywhere without worrying about background or appearance. Lower friction = higher acceptance rate.
The 25-Minute Call Structure
Every great networking call follows the same structure. This isn't rigid — it's a framework. The best candidates internalize this so well it feels natural, not scripted.
Opening
0-1 min"Thank you so much for taking the time. I know you're busy, so I'll be mindful of the clock. I'd love to hear about your path and ask a few questions about [Group/Firm]."
Your Intro
1-3 min"Quick background on me: I'm a [year] at [school] studying [major]. I got interested in banking through [specific catalyst]. I'm particularly drawn to [their group/firm] because [reason tied to their work]."
Their Story
3-15 min"Use career path, day-to-day, and firm-specific questions. Let them talk. Take notes. Ask genuine follow-ups based on what they say — not pre-scripted ones."
Personal Bond
15-20 min"Shift to advice-seeking questions. Reference something personal from their LinkedIn. Find a shared interest, background, or perspective that creates a real connection."
Soft Close
20-25 min"This has been incredibly helpful. Would it be okay if I followed up in a few weeks? And is there anyone else on your team or at the firm you'd recommend I speak with?"
Key principle: You should be talking 20% and listening 80%. The best networking calls feel like conversations, not interrogations. Ask a question, then actually listen to the answer before asking your next one.
15 of 30 Proven Questions (Preview)
Organized by conversation phase. The full playbook includes all 30 questions plus situation-specific variations for different firm types.
Career Path Questions (Minutes 3-8)
What first drew you to investment banking specifically — was there a moment or experience that made you decide?
How did you end up at [Firm] specifically? What stood out versus other banks you considered?
If you were breaking in today with the same background, what would you do differently?
What's the most surprising thing about the job that you didn't expect before starting?
How has your view of the industry changed since you were in my position?
Day-to-Day & Firm-Specific (Minutes 8-15)
Can you walk me through what a live deal week actually looks like for you — from Monday to Friday?
What types of models do you build most frequently in [Group], and how much time is modeling vs. client-facing work?
How does [Firm]'s culture in your group compare to what you've heard from peers at other banks?
What's the most interesting deal or project you've worked on in the last year — what made it stand out?
How much interaction do you get with senior bankers and clients at the analyst/associate level?
Advice-Seeking & Soft Close (Minutes 15-25)
If you were coaching someone trying to break into [Group], what would you tell them to focus on?
What's the biggest mistake you see candidates make during the recruiting process?
Is there a skill or knowledge area that would have helped you significantly if you'd learned it earlier?
What separates the analysts who get top-bucket rankings from the rest?
Would it be okay if I kept you updated on my progress and reached out again in a few weeks?
The full playbook includes 15 more questions + customization guides for bulge brackets, elite boutiques, PE, and hedge funds.
Get All 30 Questions — $47The 8-Step Sequence: Call → Referral
Most candidates treat informational interviews as one-off events. Top candidates treat them as the first step in a deliberate, multi-touch sequence designed to convert a stranger into a champion.
Initial cold email or LinkedIn outreach (personalized, not generic)
25-minute informational call using the structured framework
Same-day thank-you email referencing specific conversation points
Value-add follow-up at week 3-4 (article, deal news, update)
Second value-add at week 6-8 if appropriate
The Ask when recruiting opens (referral or application support)
Post-application update (whether you got an interview or not)
Long-term relationship maintenance (congratulate deals, promotions)
The Mini-Ask
"Would it be okay if I followed up in a few weeks?" — This is low-commitment and almost always gets a yes. It opens the door without creating pressure. Use this at the end of every first call.
The Real Ask
"I'm applying to [Firm] for the SA role. Would you be willing to put in a referral?" — Only use this after 2-3 touchpoints. The relationship must be warm. If you haven't earned it, the answer is no — or worse, a lukewarm referral.
The 3-Touch Relationship Escalation Framework
Referrals don't happen after one call. They happen after a deliberate escalation of trust. Each touch has a specific purpose — skip one and the sequence breaks.
Touch 1: Initial Call
Week 1Build rapport, gather intel, plant seeds
- Execute the 25-minute call structure flawlessly
- Send a thoughtful thank-you email within 2 hours
- Reference something specific they said (proves you listened)
- Ask permission to follow up — never assume
Touch 2: Value Add
Weeks 3-6Stay top of mind, demonstrate you're serious
- Share a relevant article, deal news, or insight about their sector
- Update them on something you discussed (a class, certification, project)
- Congratulate them on a deal close or promotion
- Keep it brief: 3-4 sentences maximum
Touch 3: The Ask
When recruiting opensConvert relationship into referral or application support
- Reference your previous conversations specifically
- Share that you're applying and why [Firm] is your top choice
- Make the ask clear but easy to say yes to
- Offer an out: 'Even if timing doesn't work, I'd appreciate any guidance'
Handling Awkward Situations
Networking calls don't always go smoothly. The best candidates have a response ready for every situation. Here's how to handle the most common curveballs.
"They seem rushed or distracted"
Acknowledge it immediately: 'I can tell you're busy — happy to reschedule if that works better.' This shows EQ. 90% of the time they'll say 'No, we're fine' and actually engage more.
"They ask 'Why should I help you?'"
Don't panic — this is a test. Say: 'Honestly, you don't have to. But I'm reaching out specifically because [reason tied to their background]. I'm not mass-emailing — I wanted to talk to you.'
"You get no response after the call"
Wait 5-7 days, then send one follow-up. If still nothing, wait 3-4 weeks and try a value-add touchpoint. After 2 follow-ups with no response, move on. Never send more than 3 unreturned messages.
"The conversation goes flat or awkward"
Pivot to asking about them personally: 'Outside of banking, what do you enjoy doing?' People love talking about themselves. If all else fails, gracefully wrap early: 'I know you're busy, I don't want to keep you.'
"They offer to refer you immediately"
Don't get overexcited or push too hard. Say: 'That means a lot — I'd really appreciate that. Would it help if I sent you my resume and a brief summary of my background?' Make it easy for them.
Pro Tip: Audio Over Video for First Calls
Always suggest a phone call over Zoom for first interactions. Bankers prefer audio because:
- They can take the call from anywhere — commuting, between meetings, walking to lunch
- No pressure to look presentable on camera after a 14-hour day
- Lower friction means higher acceptance rate (we've seen 2-3x better response rates)
- Audio creates a more relaxed, conversational tone — less like a formal interview
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