Your background isn't in finance. Why the switch?

Root the switch in past work: a moment where the financial question mattered most, then one that pointed to banking. Show concrete preparation, like courses, a model and conversations, and say what your background adds and what you're still building.

The numbers, step by step

The upgrade from the answer, with invented figures: $4 million of cost and about $1.3 million of savings a year.

Payback$4 million ÷ $1.3 million a year

3.1 years

Savings by the end of year three$1.3 million × 3

$3.9 million

What the interviewer listens for

• Is the reason rooted in past work, not an escape?
• Is there a moment that pointed to finance and then to banking?
• Is there concrete preparation for the switch?
• Do you say what the background adds and what you're still building?

Common mistakes

• Apologizing for your background instead of putting it to work in the answer.
• Leading with money or with leaving a job you disliked.
• Claiming your old job taught finance skills you can't show when asked.
• Having no evidence of preparation: no courses, no models, no conversations.

Likely follow-ups

• Why not corporate development at a chemicals company instead?I'd see one company's deals. In banking I'd see many companies and both sides of transactions, and learn the process from the people who run it.
• How would you value that plant if it were for sale?A DCF of the plant's cash flows, using a cost structure I know well, checked against what similar plants sold for as a multiple of EBITDA.
• You'd be learning from analysts younger than you. How do you feel about that?Fine. At the plant my best teacher was a technician who reported to me, so I'm used to learning from whoever knows the work best.

More behavioral and fit

• Why do you want to go into consulting?
• Why do you want to work at this firm?
• Why should we hire you?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• Do you have any questions for me?

Consulting behavioral interview questionsAll interview questionsBehavioral interview practiceTimed video practiceHireVue interview questionsMcKinsey PEI questions