Behavioral / Frameworks
Investment Banking Interview Frameworks: Structure Your Answers to Win Offers
You ramble. You die. That’s the rule in banking interviews. Structure is the only way to survive the pressure. Here are the 9 exact frameworks to organize your chaotic thoughts into offer-winning answers.
Skeleton Structures
Rambling signals uncertainty and increases error probability. Structure your answers: simple, direct, concise.
Cognitive Load Problem
Investment banking interviews impose massive cognitive load. You manage nerves, recall technical nuances, and read the room simultaneously. Real-time structure invention collapses into stream-of-consciousness babble.
Frameworks provide a pre-built skeleton. Your job during the interview is to hang meat on bones. This ensures you hit every point, stay concise, and stop talking before boring the sleep-deprived devil across the table.
Master these 9 core frameworks.
Quick Reference
1. Hero's Journey (HERO)
Use for: "Tell me about yourself" or "Walk me through your resume."
Chronological resume recitation is forgettable. Use a narrative arc demonstrating progression and intent.
- Setup: Origin (geography/background)
- Challenge: Friction point or difficulty faced
- Turning Point: Specific moment shifting focus to finance
- Resolution: Post-pivot achievements
- Future Path: Why this bank is the logical next step
Example:
2. Claim-Reason-Evidence-Impact (CREI)
Use for: "Why this bank?" "Why you?" "Why IB?"
Opinions require backing. This structure forces immediate proof of assertions.
- Claim: Direct answer
- Reason: The "because"
- Evidence: Concrete proof from your past
- Impact: Why this matters to the interviewer
Example (Why should we hire you?):
3. STAR Punch
Use for: "Tell me about a time you..." (Behavioral questions)
Standard STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is common. Add the Punchline to tie it back to the job.
- Situation: Scene setting (brief)
- Task: What needed to be done
- Action: What you specifically did (not "we")
4. Bridging / Pivot (ABCD)
Use for: Weaknesses, resume gaps, uncomfortable questions.
Do not be defensive. Acknowledge the flaw and steer toward a strength.
- Acknowledge: Validate the concern briefly
- Bridge: Connecting phrase ("However," "That said")
- Cover: Deliver your prepared strength
- Dangle: (Optional) Drop a topic they might pursue
Example (You don't have a finance background. Can you handle the math?):
5. Technical Explanation (TECH4)
Use for: "Walk me through a DCF" or "What is WACC?"
Technical definitions require precision. Do not freestyle.
- Define: One-sentence definition
- Components: Required inputs
- Mechanics: Step-by-step process
- Application: When to use vs. when not to
6. Trade-offs (COMP2)
Use for: "Equity vs Debt?" "EBITDA vs Net Income?"
Bankers live in trade-offs. Demonstrate nuance.
- Concept A: Define first option
- Concept B: Define second option
- Trade-offs: Pros and cons of each
- Context: When to prefer one over the other
7. Calculation Framework (CALC)
Use for: Mental math or paper LBOs.
Do not think silently. The interviewer needs to hear your logic for partial credit.
- Setup: State the numbers
- Approach: Explain how you will solve before executing
- Steps: Execute math out loud
- Answer: State final number clearly
Example (What is 15% of 80?):
8. Industry Trend (TREND)
Use for: "What's a trend you're following?"
Do not just name a trend. Explain the market movement.
- Headline: The trend in 3 words
- Hook: Why you care (personal or analytical)
- Drivers: Causal factors
- Tailwinds/Headwinds: Pros and cons
- Deals: Reference a real transaction
Example:
9. Deal Snapshot (DEAL)
Use for: "Tell me about a recent deal."
Memorize one deal deeply. Do not skim five.
- Name: Acquirer and Target
- Dates: Announcement date
- Value/Multiples: Enterprise Value and EV/EBITDA
- Consideration: Cash, Stock, or Mix
- Rationale: Strategic logic
- Risks: Potential failure points
Drilling Protocol
Reading is passive. Passive preparation fails interviews. Make these structures muscle memory.
- Pull Real Questions: Go to the OFFERGOBLIN question bank.
- Write the Framework: For the first 5 questions, physically write the header (e.g., "Setup, Challenge, Turning Point...") and bullet answers underneath.
- Record Yourself: Turn on voice memos. Answer out loud.
- Audit: Listen back. Did you ramble? Did you miss a framework component?
- Repeat: Same question again. And again. Until tight, crisp, and under 2 minutes.
Structure gives freedom. Once the framework is automatic, focus on delivery and connection. When interviews convert to offers, you'll need a strategy for .