Walk Me Through Your Resume - IB Interview Guide

Why This Question Matters

In nearly every investment banking interview, you'll face some version of: “Walk me through your resume” or “Introduce yourself.” This isn't just small talk—it sets the tone for the entire interview. A strong introduction can establish credibility, build rapport, and give you control of the narrative. A weak one risks leaving the interviewer disengaged or questioning your motivations.

This question is essentially your personal pitch. Done well, it demonstrates clarity of thought, strong communication skills, and a coherent story that logically leads to investment banking.

Purpose of the Question

Interviewers ask this question for several reasons:

To assess your communication skills: Can you clearly and concisely explain your background?
To evaluate logical progression: Does your path make sense, or does it feel random?
To test motivation: Do your experiences point toward a genuine interest in banking?
To establish fit: Are your skills and personality aligned with what the role requires?

Think of this as the first checkpoint in the interview. If you pass it convincingly, you create momentum for the technical and behavioral questions that follow.

Structuring Your Response

A strong answer has three main parts: beginning, middle, and end.

1. Chronological Storytelling

Start from your education, then progress through your internships and professional experiences. This keeps your story linear and easy to follow. Avoid jumping around or starting with abstract statements like “I’ve always been interested in business.”

2. Development of Interest

Show how your interest in finance evolved. For example:

Early exposure through a class, club, or family influence
Reinforcement through internships, competitions, or projects
Confirmation through hands-on experience

This logical build helps the interviewer see why banking is the natural next step.

3. Concise Delivery

Your answer should be about 2–3 minutes long. Any shorter, and you risk sounding underprepared; any longer, and you may lose their attention. Think of it as a highlight reel, not an autobiography.

Key Elements to Include

Early Influences and Education

Undergraduates: Start with your major, school, and why you chose it.
MBA candidates: Highlight undergrad briefly, then focus on pre-MBA roles and why you pursued business school.
Career switchers: Emphasize transferable skills and explain the pivot clearly.

Internships and Professional Roles

Walk through each role in sequence.
Highlight what you achieved, not just what you did.
Emphasize finance-related skills: analysis, teamwork, client exposure, or deal experience.

Current Objectives

Finish with a strong statement:

Why you’re interviewing now
Why you’re interested in this specific firm
How your past experiences have prepared you for success

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Losing structure: Jumping back and forth confuses interviewers.

2. Rambling: Overly detailed answers dilute impact.

3. Sounding generic: Avoid clichés like “I’ve always loved numbers.”

4. Lacking passion: If your story doesn’t show genuine interest, they’ll doubt your motivation.

5. Overemphasizing irrelevant experiences: Focus on what’s directly or indirectly relevant to banking.

Personalizing Your Introduction

Tailoring to Your Background

Students: Spend more time on academics, clubs, and internships.
Lateral hires: Focus on finance-related skills gained in prior industries.
Non-traditional candidates: Frame your unique background as a strength and explain the pivot logically.

Linking to the Role

Each experience should connect back to why you’re prepared for investment banking. For example:

“In my consulting role, I worked on financial modeling for a client’s acquisition—this solidified my interest in transaction work.”
“As treasurer of my finance club, I led a stock pitch competition, which sparked my interest in valuation and deal-making.”

Sample Framework

Here’s a simple outline you can adapt:

1. Education: Where you studied, why you chose your major, and relevant coursework.

2. Early Exposure: Any formative finance-related experience (clubs, competitions, mentors).

3. Internships/Jobs: Roles you’ve held, skills gained, and key takeaways.

4. Recent Role/Experience: What you’re doing now and how it ties into banking.

5. Why IB Today: Clear motivation for banking and enthusiasm for the role.

Practice and Delivery Tips

Rehearse, don’t memorize: Sound conversational, not robotic.
Record yourself: Check tone, pacing, and clarity.
Adapt on the fly: If the interviewer seems pressed for time, shorten your answer.
End strong: Conclude with forward-looking energy—why you’re excited about the opportunity.

If you use the IB IQ app for mock interviews, you’ll see that this question is one of the most common—and most important—to master.

Key Takeaways

Structure is everything: Use a clear, chronological format.
Keep it concise: Aim for 2–3 minutes.
Tell a story: Show how your interest developed naturally.
Link experiences to banking: Make sure every step connects.
Practice until smooth: Delivery is as important as content.

Conclusion

“Walk me through your resume” isn’t just an icebreaker—it’s your chance to control the first impression and establish credibility. A well-structured, engaging, and logical answer signals that you’re prepared, motivated, and a strong fit for investment banking. By crafting your story thoughtfully and practicing delivery, you’ll start your interview with confidence and set yourself apart from other candidates.

Mastering the “Walk Me Through Your Resume” Question