Citigroup is always on the hunt for ambitious and talented individuals to join their investment banking team. But putting your foot in there as a student or a fresh graduate isn't just about having good grades and financial know-how. It's also about knowing what to expect and how to perform the best in interviews.
In this detailed guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to impress Citi's recruiters and land your dream job in investment banking.
Although the recruitment process at Citi is as rigorous as other major financial players, it is a bit different than other financial institutions because they have so many programs for students and fresh graduates to choose from.
Let’s break the whole process into step-by-step stages:
The first step is to go to the jobs section of the Citigroup website, click “Students & Graduates, and select “Find a Program” from the sub-menu.
Next, choose a location, and then select from one of the following opportunities:
After picking one program, choose “BCMA Investment Banking” on the next page, select a role offered in your preferred location, and click Apply. Next, create an account and sign in to the Citigroup portal to upload your CV and cover letter.
Your application will undergo an initial screening process, and Citi will notify you within 7-10 business days whether it is approved.
If Citi shortlists your application, you’ll be invited to complete a few online assessments. These tests usually cover numerical reasoning, logical thinking, and sometimes situational judgment. This helps Citi recruiters make sure that you can handle the analytical demands of investment banking.
After passing the online assessments, you’ll get an invite from Citi to attend a one-on-one phone or video call interview for behavioral and competency-based questions to see how good of a fit you are.
In rare cases, Citi recruiters may also ask you basic questions about:
The next step is a visit to a Citi assessment center, especially for graduate or student roles. Here, you’ll get involved in group exercises and skills tests, where you are evaluated on teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving.
If you’ve passed the above stages, the last one is attending a Superday at one of the Citi centers or institutions for in-person interviews. You’ll meet multiple senior bankers, mostly MDs. They’ll ask you complicated questions (fit and technical) related to investment banking and engage you in a case study, which you may also take home over the weekend to prepare better.
During these final interviews, the interviewing panel further assesses your problem-solving skills, knowledge of capital raising, mergers & acquisitions, and other financial advisory services, as well as your cultural fit within the organization.
After clearing this stage, you’ll receive a job offer (contingent on passing background checks) with details about compensation, benefits, and the start date.
The recruiting timeline at Citi for students and fresh graduates after applying to investment banking roles is fast and may take only one to two months:
Note: For some applicants, the whole recruitment process may take up to 4 months because onboarding after accepting the final offer may take another 4-8 weeks.
The acceptance rate for investment banking roles at Citi is highly competitive, which clearly reflects the intense demand for these positions. While Citi does not publicly disclose exact figures, estimates suggest the acceptance rate for both full-time and summer internship positions is typically in the 1–3% range. This is comparable to other top-tier investment banks like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase.
The questions Citi recruiters ask through the different interview rounds cover your cultural fit into the company as well as the technical skills you possess in investment banking.
To help you, we’ve included some example questions below that are asked of students and fresh graduates.
When interviewing for an Investment Banking role at Citigroup, the fit portion of the interview helps the interviewer see whether your personality, values, and motivations align with the firm’s culture. Below are some example questions:
In interviews, especially with senior bankers, you may face brain teasers just to analyze how you think on your feet.
Some questions can be really weird, like why there is a need to make manhole covers in round shape or how many tennis balls fit in a Boeing 747. However, others are related to investment banking, such as how you would value a company with no revenue.
You might be presented with a little scenario in these types of questions. For example, Citi may ask you about the two companies, and both of them are almost the same in every way. The difference is that one trades at 25 P/E and the other at 20 P/E. Which company would you choose to invest in? (The correct answer is “B” here. 😉)
👉 Prepare for your interview with our Brainteaser collection.
The technical questions in Citi interviews test your knowledge of financial concepts and the skills you possess. Here are a few examples:
👉 Read our article about technical questions in investment banking Interviews for more practical tips!
Preparing for Citi interviews requires a comprehensive approach, as you will need to outshine everybody else in terms of both technical expertise and strong interpersonal skills.
Take your time and connect with people who are already working at Citi to learn more about the company’s culture. It’s best to read financial magazines like Wall Street Journal to stay updated on the latest market news regarding Citi so you can answer cultural fit questions accurately.
As a student or a graduate, participate in Citi’s self-paced job simulations to know what’s in store for you as an employee. This will help you prepare better for the upcoming interviews, particularly the questions that will test your technical skills.
There’s something else you can do!
Get coaching from someone who has already worked at Citi or other investment banks and knows all the ins and outs of the interviews, especially the group rounds and case studies.
👉 Find a coach and prepare for your interview
Investment banking is about building relationships, solving problems, and working as part of a team—all things you can show off in your Citigroup interview.
You’ve already done the studying, and now this guide has helped you with every stage of the interview. So, take a deep breath, trust in your preparation, and go in with a positive mindset. This is your chance to take the first step into a successful career at one of the world’s leading financial institutions.
Remember to wear professional attire, but stay comfortable, and listen to some of your favorite tracks to calm your nerves before stepping in. Good luck. You can do it!
