Why Investment Banking Candidates Have the Edge in 2026
March 2026
Searching Smarter Podcast: Why Investment Banking Candidates Have the Edge in 2026
The investment banking market is shifting again.
After several slower years, deal activity is picking up, bonuses are improving, and firms are beginning to rebuild their teams. But this recovery is also changing how banks compete for talent.
In this episode of Searching Smarter, host Jesse Skaff speaks with Emily Long, one of the most successful investment banking recruiters in Selby Jennings’ history, about what is really happening inside the hiring market - and what both firms and bankers should be preparing for next.
What you'll hear in this episode:
As deal flow improves and hiring activity increases, the balance between banks and talent is beginning to shift. Candidates may once again have more leverage when exploring opportunities, changing how firms approach hiring and retention.
In a stronger hiring market, compensation alone is rarely enough to secure top candidates. Firms increasingly need to communicate a clear value proposition around platform strength, team structure, and long-term career growth.
Stronger bonus payouts are influencing how bankers think about timing, compensation, and potential career moves. For firms looking to hire, this can reshape expectations around guarantees, offers, and overall deal structure.
Artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger part of the conversation across financial services. In investment banking, the focus is less about replacing roles and more about improving efficiency, productivity, and how teams approach their work.
Want more?
At the Searching Smarter podcast, we speak to the brightest and boldest minds in financial sciences & services. From talent acquisition leaders and hiring managers to world-class professionals, we delve into all the ways they leverage top talent to drive their businesses forward. Listeners will walk away with expert guidance on how to attract, acquire and retain high-performing teams, as well as what it takes to be a part of one.
It's available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. So listen, learn, and let us know what you think.
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