In this edition of New Year’s Q&A, we cover everything from the ever-persistent questions on pay and fashion to banking in different regions, business school, different strategies for breaking in, and even some more questions on the new interview guide.

Some of the interviews and other content planned for 2009 will address these questions in more detail, but hey, why not get started early and kick off the New Year with a bang?

Pay & Fashion

I’ve already said I don’t have a crystal ball, but that doesn’t stop readers from thinking I can predict the future when it comes to bonuses… and somehow I’m a fashion expert now?

1. I just graduated from my college. I would like to own my own mansion in downtown Manhattan, and have a net worth of at least 8 figures by the time I am 30. Is it better to join an existing finance firm to do this, or should I start a fund or business on my own?

Read the rest of this article

As you might expect, there are many questions about my new interview guide as well as all the usual topics this week.

Feedback has been very positive so far, so we’re thinking of expanding into other areas as well - details are below.

1. Your guide is really cheap right now, I was expecting at least $80+. Can I enter into a futures contract with you maturing on my payday to order the guide at the current price in case it goes up before then?

Read the rest of this article

In an earlier article I wrote about my “favorite question ever,” but I might have to take that one back because one reader managed to top it recently.

With a topic near and dear to our hearts: Brick Breaker. I guess since Leveraged Sellout featured it I should have expected some questions - I just didn’t think it would take this long.

1. I just tried Brick Breaker on my friend’s Blackberry the other day but hated it and could not get past the first level. Am I doomed to never get into investment banking?

Read the rest of this article

What is Investment Banking?: Ari Gold: What Bankers Actually Do, Why NOT Do Investment Banking

Investment Banking Lifestyle: A Day in the Life - Worst Day and Best Day, How to Stay Fit, Investment Banking Wardrobe for Men, Investment Banking Lingo Part 1 and Part 2, A Week in the Life (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday)

Breaking into Finance: How to Get an Investment Banking Job, Networking into Investment Banking, Recruiting in a Tough Market, Breaking in from Engineering, Breaking in from Law, Breaking in from the Back Office

Investment Banking Resumes: How to Write an Investment Banking Resume, How Investment Bankers Read Resumes

Investment Banking Interviews: Investment Banking Interview Guide, The Interview Selection Process, How to Close Your Interviews

Summer Internships: Summer Intern Success Guide, How to Dominate Your Summer Internship, Tips from a Former Summer Analyst, What You Do as a Summer Analyst, 10 Summer Internship "Don't's", How Summer Interns Get Full-Time Offers

Investment Banking Salaries: Investment Banking Salaries vs. McDonald's, Why Investment Bankers Make So Much Money, 2008 Analyst Bonuses

Private Equity / Buyside Jobs: Private Equity Resumes, Private Equity Interviews, The Myth of the Buyside Job, Headhunters: Friend or Foe?

Specific Groups: UBS LA, Boutiques, Restructuring, The Back Office

Quitting Finance: The Conference Room: How You Get Fired, The Farewell Email, A Day in the Life of a Former Investment Banker