How to Break Out of “Harold & Kumar” Mode and Use Investment Banking Information Sessions to Break Into the Industry
“Uh, this is actually a two-part question. I’m applying for a summer internship at Brewster Keegan, and I was wondering:
a) what it’s like being an investment banker and
b) if you would write me a recommendation.”
-Kenneth, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
If you’ve been to any investment banking information sessions lately, you might be reminded of that scene in Harold & Kumar with all those Princeton kids crowded around Harold asking him “what it’s like being an investment banker” (oh, and for a recommendation too).
If the sessions are crowded with 10 students surrounding each banker, how do you make a good impression and use them effectively?
You don’t.
Ok, that’s an exaggeration.
Information sessions can be part of your strategy, but you should never rely on them. If you are in the position to use them, here’s how to do so without looking like Kenneth.
Why Most Information Sessions Resemble That Scene from Harold & Kumar
There are a few reasons why information sessions usually range from marginally helpful to completely useless:
- The obvious reasons – far too many students attend them, and it’s tough to get 1-on-1 time with any bankers.
- The barriers to entry are too low. Anything you can leverage that other people can’t gives you a big advantage when networking – but anyone can attend information sessions.
- There are many ways to screw up but very few ways to genuinely impress the bankers there (credit to Management Consulted for this point).
- Informational sessions occur late in the recruiting process, right before a resume drop – at that stage it’s hard to spend time developing new relationships, so you can’t gain much of an advantage.
This is not to say that you shouldn’t go to any sessions. It’s just that you shouldn’t focus on them – and you need to spend most of your time networking outside the sessions, even if those efforts start with contacts you made at the sessions.
But They Must Be Helpful for Someone, Right?
2 groups, in particular, have the most to gain from information sessions:
- “Early starters” – anyone in his or her 1st or 2nd year at the university level who still has time to develop relationships. This concept is less relevant at the MBA level.
- Anyone going to a “non-target school” – somewhere banks don’t recruit at – who attends sessions at a more heavily-recruited school.
The first point should be intuitive: of all the relevant factors when breaking into investment banking (networking, resumes, interview skills), developing substantial relationships through networking helps you the most – by far.
With more time, you can develop deeper relationships and gain a much bigger advantage in recruiting.
On the second point, keep in mind what we said above: anything you do that others don’t automatically gives you an advantage. It’s not common for students to attend information sessions at other schools – so you can stand out quite a bit by doing so.
If the session is focused exclusively on alumni, you may draw some negative reactions – but if it’s big enough, you can usually find at least a few bankers who are receptive to your cause.
Even if you’re not in one of these 2 groups, though, you should still consider attending at least a few information sessions.
What to Get Out of Them
This one’s easy: contacts. Sure, there are other ancillary benefits – such as finding out more about the industry, seeing if it’s right for you or not, and making a good impression on anyone involved in recruiting at your school.
Those are all fine, but with the possible exception of the last one there are other ways to accomplish each one.
The advantage of information sessions is that you get to meet dozens of bankers in the span of a few hours – it’s like speed dating for jobs.
Just like speed dating, you won’t develop real relationships with everyone you meet – but efficiency-wise it’s hard to beat information sessions.
Rules of Engagement
So you’re networking your way into investment banking and have decided that you’ll go to at least a few information sessions as part of your recruiting strategy. You’re contacting alumni and acquaintances on your own and making lots of other networking efforts outside the sessions, but you figure it can’t hurt to check them out, right?
Sure – but you need to make the most of your time.
Recall what we said above about the ease of screwing up compared to the difficulty of impressing bankers – most of the guidelines below are more about not making mistakes rather than being a star.
1. Don’t Be Kenneth from Harold & Kumar
Don’t ask stupid questions that can be easily answered elsewhere. Make your discussion personal and specific to the background of the person you’re speaking with – stay away from “Where is the industry heading?” or “How do you like being an investment banker?” type questions.
Better questions: “What was your background before getting into banking?”; “You mentioned that you work in the Financial Sponsors group – have you worked on any of the big consolidation deals lately?”
The difference between a poor question and a good question lies in the specificity. To pull this off, you need to spend your time asking open-ended questions and listening to what they say.
2. Don’t Be Urkel, Either
By the same token, you don’t want to be so detailed in your questions that you scare them away.
People often get the idea that it’s good to ask questions like, “So do you provide both bank debt and mezzanine financing to your clients in addition to comprehensive M&A advisory services?”
Pretend you’re meeting a new friend – not that you’re reciting a laundry list of finance terms to your professor.
You should approach interviews the same way as well: go for the personal connection rather than reciting obscure technical concepts.
Yes, it’s good to do your homework and be knowledgeable about the industry – but it’s also good to come across as someone who bankers could stand to be around at 3 AM while fixing typos in a pitch book.
3. Get Business Cards from Everyone
Don’t spend too much time speaking with any one individual – maybe 5-10 minutes at most. Your goal is to make a good impression and come across as likable rather than just another guy/girl from Harold & Kumar.
Most importantly, make sure you get a business card and contact information from each person you speak to – there’s no point in going to information sessions unless you get this information and then act on it.
Focus on anyone who isn’t surrounded by 10 other students (if they exist).
4. Follow-Up Within the Next Few Days
This goes back to the point above on barriers to entry: it’s very easy to go to information sessions. What’s more difficult is following up with bankers you meet there and developing relationships.
From my own speeches and presentations, I know that typically less than 1% of event attendees ever bother to follow-up – even if they’ve made a connection and have direct access to someone who can answer many of their questions.
There is absolutely no point in going to information sessions unless you get business cards and then use them to start conversations with bankers.
5. If There Are 10 “Kenneth”‘s Surrounding a Banker, Don’t Hesitate to Jump in Anyway
So what do you do if there are 10 students surrounding one banker and no one else is free or there aren’t many representatives there?
Jump in anyway – with more interesting questions than anyone else is asking. Remember, most of the students there will not have read this article and are still in Harold & Kumar mode, wondering “what it’s like being an investment banker.”
If you’re bold and ask pointed but appropriate questions, you can stand out and shift the banker’s focus to you right away.
Think about most of the bankers there: they’ve just pulled an all-nighter, gotten off a flight, or dealt with some annoying, high-maintenance client. After the session, they’re about to go back to work for even more of that.
The last thing they want to hear is another “Kenneth” question – so take a bold approach and don’t be afraid to jump into a large group with a question that doesn’t inspire them to dive into an acid-coated shark tank.
They might just like your style.
Other Tips
There are tons of other small tips you could use in informational sessions: dress well (business attire – don’t look like you’re about to go to a concert or like you just got back from a funeral), gravitate toward alumni from your school (if the session features bankers from multiple schools), and don’t spend too much time on anyone you already know.
Combined with the points above, these will set you apart from all the “Kenneth”‘s out there.
Other Breeds of Information Sessions
The type of event covered here is just one breed of information session. Other sessions are more like job fairs, where you walk around and literally have first-round interviews on the spot; still other sessions only have a few representatives from each company and they’re more about exploring rather than breaking in.
The more specific the information session, the more helpful it is for you.
Here’s a real example from my own history:
Right after I returned from Asia several years ago, I attended the Boston Career Forum, an event focused on jobs and internships in Japan.
Since you had to be bilingual and had to have some experience in the region, the barriers to entry were high. And as one of the few Westerners there, I stood out even more.
As you’d expect, there were not as many opportunities as you’d find at a more general US-focused job fair – but the “conversion rate” from interviews to offers was much higher. I won multiple offers from a single weekend of work, even though I spoke with fewer than 10 banks/finance firms.
If you want to gain a real advantage in networking, you should seek out targeted opportunities like this one.
Further Reading
I did some research while writing this article and came to a sobering conclusion: like so many other areas of finance, there’s hardly anything online that’s both valuable and specific. I found some good discussions on message boards, but nothing comprehensive that went through all aspects of information sessions.
The closest resource I could find: Kevin from Management Consulted gives a good overview of consulting information sessions, and many of his insights apply to investment banking information sessions as well.
If you know of other helpful resources on this topic, please let me know or write about them in the comments below.
Breaking Out of Harold & Kumar Mode
If you follow everything here, you’ll be in a better position than 90% of information session attendees.
You don’t want to follow a “Jack Bauer” strategy for information sessions (torturing bankers to get an interview is not recommended), but you definitely don’t want to follow a Harold & Kumar strategy.
So use common sense, and please, no questions on “what it’s like being an investment banker.”
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hay,
i went to a networking info session yesterday and got some business cards. i dont really have any further questions cos they answered everything i wanted to know yesterday, so when i do a follow up should i just do like an email that says like ‘it was nice to meet you, thanks for your time’ kind of thing?
ta
Yes but there’s almost no point in doing that… either set up an informational interview with them or don’t bother contacting them
What if the business card you picked up belongs to a Managing Director? I consider myself a very respectable guy and am not one to be intrusive or obnoxious. I know how busy and in demand these MDs are, so is it really appropriate for me to ask him for a meet up? Background info: it was a typical networking event on campus and he yielded his card right at the end of our discussion. He did say “email me if you have more questions” but again, I am not sure whether that is just being polite or sincere in the banking world (absolutely new to networking).
Thank you
Yes. Ask him for coffee. To respect his time, you should be prepared when you meet him
Hi,
I read about your blog in the 4 Hour Workweek – that passage, by the way, is very inspiring. I would like to know a few things -
I am 22, currently a junior studying Economics (not an Ivy) with a 4.0. “Oddly” I have started a career as a motivational speaker and have done quite well, making 5k each speaking engagement and reaping a 250k for speaking randomly on weekends p/year. Can I make more than that as an IB? How long would it take?
What I wanted to know is, how will investment banks look at my professional speaking career once I graduate in two years? Do you think they will like it?
You can make more than that at the associate level (3 years to get there) but it’s not worth it as you will want to kill yourself by jumping into crocodile-filled acid every day if you actually go into the field. Banks will probably think you’re too “creative” and won’t respect the experience much.
Hi I am going to be a senior in college right now and didn’t get any summer internships for banking. Should I attend info sessions at my school this winter that are designed for juniors looking for internships? Thanks
Only if you plan to delay graduation or do a Master’s degree
What will the recruiters think of a senior guy trying to get a junior’s internship?
It won’t work well unless you’re in school for longer so I wouldn’t even try
Hi,
I am currently a student at USC/Marshall. When I read your posts I often wonder whether USC is one of the target schools you’re talking about of whether target schools are more in the category of princeton, upenn, stanford etc so I was wondering if you could clarify what defines a “target school” or what schools are considered targets.
I am one of the top students in Marshall (3.9 GPA, full academic scholarship) so will that give me a big advantage and put me in the same level as students at top schools or will the fact that I do not go to a top school be more relevant than my academic success.
It is a target school but not as heavily recruited at as other schools like Berkeley or Stanford
Hi, I contacted someone in a firm and accidentally thought he was someone else. He cc’ed the other person in the firm and told me to contact him. Will I be blacklisted from the firm/how can I recover from this?
Um don’t be silly, just ignore him and move onto other contacts
Fantastic article, very informative.
I have a question I was hoping you could answer about my own specific situation. I am a 19 year old Junior transferring into UNC – Chapel Hill from another state school. I am enamored with some of the opportunities it looks like I will be able to enjoy at UNC and was wondering if I should get involved with some of the ones designed for people about to graduate. I’ve been debating whether or not I should go to the job fairs and recruiting sessions of some of the big investment banks like BlackRock and Goldman Sachs. Obviously I would not be graduating this upcoming year (maybe not even the year after that), but it seems like a great time to start meeting some of the recruiters and figuring out how to put myself in a good position for when they come the next year.
Again, a very helpful article, and I apologize for the lengthy question.
Yes just go, it’s never too early to start and they could be helpful for internships.
Hi,
Like the USC student, I am also a college student wondering about my school being a target school. From what I’ve heard it’s not, but I would rather get your opinion. I don’t want to say which school is mine, but I will list three schools (I am very curious about the other two anyway):
1. Tufts University
2. Brown University
3. Amherst College
If I could get commentary on each school specifically that would be great. Thank you so much!
I am currently a student at USC/Marshall. When I read your posts I often wonder whether USC is one of the target schools you’re talking about of whether target schools are more in the category of princeton, upenn, stanford etc so I was wondering if you could clarify what defines a “target school” or what schools are considered targets.
Banks don’t recruit heavily at any of those schools because students at most of them aren’t interested in banking. You’ll probably see some banks but it’s nothing compared to HYPS, Wharton, etc. There is more recruiting at USC just because there are fewer good schools on the west coast so banks go there to find more people.
hi
I recently happened to be going to play sports with around 10 i bankers working in morgan stanley… I know its kinda strange when u hear it but its kinda through a connection between my gym coach and some of those i bankers.
Ok so my background is that I am going to college to study economics and finance (semi-targeted skol in uk i would say) after the summer break. And, honestly, although I know basically how investment banks row (like literally just all types of bankers do, few ratios I googled it, and lots of articles from you), I still dont hv neither the academic nor practical knowledge.
So I am wondering if you could basically tell me what to talk about with them during the sports day. I know u mentioned that dont focus to much on the business and technical stuff, but the thing is I know literally nothing about those things as I am just graduated from high school.. Should I just talk about only sports, backgrounds and avoid going to any business topic that i dont know? In other words, just to make friends instead? Also, should I impress them by somehow show my limited knowledge about ibank and what if they question on them?
I know it probably might be quite a strange situation for you to give advice on but I really appreciate it if you could guide me a little bit here.
Jonah
Um if you just graduated from high school stop thinking about investment banking and relax and figure out what you want to do in life first.
But you said it’s never too early to do the networking right? Plus I am really very interested in this field otherwise I wouldn’t have chosen to study economics and finance in the first place. Please at least give me some advice. I really appreciated.
Jonah, you just graduated from HS and you want to into banking already ;)
I’d suggest to you a. Figure out WHY you are so interested in this field and be able articulate your reasons to others. b. Figure out your strengths and weaknesses. Focus on your strengths and work on your weaknesses c. Network with bankers and try to land an internship in the summer w a bank and then you’ll have taste of what banking is like
No if you don’t know much about banking don’t try impress others. People can tell and its a turn off.
Yes make genuine friends with bankers and genuinely show interest in what they do. If you are really interested their work, people can tell and it will be easier for you to land a job then.
One of the alumni is invited to a breakfast with us next week. Do I need to email him beforehand, or should I just wait till that day and then follow up? Thanks
Not sure I understand the question but just meet him there and then follow-up afterward.
Hi there,
I have a series of networking events I plan on attending over the next few months. I am unemployed at the moment. When people ask for my business card, what should I say? Or should I get some printed out anyways with my name, email and number?
When people ask you what you do, be very confident and say that you are “using the time to volunteer with the CFA society as well as other nonprofits & learn spanish.
If they then ask what have you been doing (after a while in the convo) – say I “have been volunteering etc, and I have already obtained level 1 of the CFA and attended many Wharton seminars, courses and workshops”
Don’t see people print name cards w just ur name etc often. If you want, you can print out name cards. Personally, I don’t like to give out name cards cause I always forget to bring them; I usually like to ask people for their name cards and email them instead. I think you should do the same.
Thanks! Your website is phenomenal!
Hi,
I graduated last year and am working in a small asset management firm now. There are upcoming IB information sessions at the university in the city I live now (but not where I attended school). I still want to go to those sessions to get some contacts but I am not sure if I should because those sessions are for the students. Do you have any suggestions?
I think you should still attend the sessions to network. Some students might not “welcome” you but who knows? What’s the worst that could happen anyway?
I’ve heard of wedding crashing, but never IB info session crashing. Go for it – the worst that can happen is they ask you to leave.
What questions do you recommend asking to representatives at career fairs? Ideally I feel like the perfect conversation at such an event is 3-5 minutes, so I am wondering what questions will lead to those short types of conversations.
Thanks.
It really depends on the person and the situation. I usually try to establish rapport by introducing myself and connecting with the person first. Then, I’d ask him/her more about what his/her day in life is, what he/she love about his/her job (mind you, they might actually hate it), etc. Since the conversation is usually brief and many people are queuing up to speak to such reps, I’d usually not care too much abt the conversation but I do care about following up and getting his/her business card. I’d then follow up w an email thanking him/her adding a line on anything we talked about pertaining to him/her.
I want to be an investment banker and now I am currently enrolled in a community college in New York.
I thought what I can do for my dream. just going to college and getting high GPA? That`s not enough. So this is what I am thinking or have done
1. I joined The museum of Finance as a member to attend events like this one “Abby Joseph Cohen on “The Long-Term Prospects for Economic Growth and American Prosperity”
2. I will attend meetup about investment baking
3. I subscribed the WSJ and read some of which daily
4. Goldman Sachs and my school provide “Goldman Sachs Leadership Program”. I applied
5. My relative has his music(Hiphop) agency in Atlanta, Georgia. I will help him about finance or investment things to build my career.
6. read the articles on this website regularly and carefully.
Compared to your backgrounds when you was a college student, is this enough?
(I could ask like “What do you think of it. It looks poor)
2-6 is worthwhile, not sure about 1. Yes, also try to get an internship w a bank and join an investment club. Take our BIWS modelling courses – knowing how to model will set you apart big time.
Hi,
1. Thank you very much for your website and posts, they have been extremely helpful.
2. How would recruiters at an information session view me seeing as I graduated 3.5years ago from the University of Chicago (3.0 gpa) with a degree in economics, worked 4 months as a Financial Advisor Trainee at Merrill Lynch and now work as a paralegal in consumer bankruptcy (2years now)?
3. Do you have any suggestions for marketing myself with these credentials in the span of 3-5 minutes that I have?
1. Thanks!
2. They’d view you as another candidate who is interested in IB analyst roles
3. Be short, brief and succinct. Try to get their contacts and land an info session during those 5 mins.
Can you recommend books about Investment banking or finance(something easy to be read).
http://www.ibankingfaq.com/for-further-learning/are-there-any-good-books-about-investment-banking/
I am in a community college as my second year.
I am thinking about studying CFA or GMAT.
Do you think either one is useful?
I think the result of those exams will show why I am smart and why you must hire me?
Don`t you think so?
2nd question, I am an international student. If I go to middle sized banks or below, are they willing to provide H-1 visa?
If you have spare time and you want to get into banking I’d suggest you to land a finance internship, network as well as learn to model
CFA: http://www.mergersandinquisitions.com/cfa-investment-banking/
Re the second question, it really depends on the bank. For some small-mid size banks, they might not provide H-1 visas given their scale and cost of such visas
Hi,
I am an avid reader of your site and took alot of your advice.
I was able to land an opportunity to do a “job shadow” at one of the bulge bracket banks.
How should I approach this opportunity to land a full time analyst role?
I am already a senior in college and I feel this is my one time chance to land a front office position. How should I prepare?and what should I do when that day comes?
Network as much as you can within the firm and express your interest to be a full time analyst. Show 110% commitment and good attitude!
Preparation – network, be totally focused on the “job”, go above & beyond your duties, make sure people like you, try to figure out what they want and give them what they need (these are btw very subtle), and show them how much you love the “job”
Thanks for your input but what do you mean by go above and beyond your duties? At a “job shadow” they ask you to do work? I thought it was more about asking questions and to get an in depth knowledge of what the person does.
Do you have any Do’s or Dont’s of what to do while there? For example is it appropriate to ask to stay with them even in the night to learn how the culture is in that setting as opposed to the day? Another example should I create “network cards”?
Thanks again for your input
When you said job shadow I thought you meant that you were shadowing under a mentor in your role. shadowing in a way = interning in my books = people might ask you to do things and you would want to go above and beyond to get them what they want
Dos – make them like you. Don’t – piss them off. Sure, if they work late at night. What are network cards? You mean your name card? I don’t know if they are necessary or useful but if you want to go ahead
Thanks for your advice
Anytime!
hi brian! thanks a lot for this website!
my question is: I’ve gotten to know a really approchable MD yesterday at a GS info session held at my school (one of the top UK schools). I managed to talk to him privately for about 45 min, we talked about his career at GS (he started in London, then moved to Tokyo for 5 years, and then came back to London). I myself did an internship in Shanghai and therefore we were having a really interesting talk about moving to Asia for a couple of years in banking. I want to follow up with him, but at the moment I don’t really have anymore good questions to ask him… would it be ok to send him an email like the following one?
“Dear XXX, It was really interesting getting to know you yesterday at the Information Session at XXX; I enjoyed very much our discussion about internal cross-regional mobility in your firm. I will be sending my applications for your firm soon, and I hope to stay in touch with you over the next months and the interview process. Thank you very much for your time and helpfulness. Best wishes, XXX”
I would like to email him in like one month and then ask for an in-person meeting (that would allow me some time to prepare for some good questions that I haven’t asked him yesterday…), and then email him again “asking for an interview”.
Also, I think I have seen a follow-up email template somewhere around your website some time ago, but can’t find it anymore for some reason!
Thanks a lot for your help!
Sure it works. I don’t think we have an email template but perhaps this helps http://www.mergersandinquisitions.com/networking-investment-banking-jobs/
Thank you Nicole! you gave me enough self-confidence to send him the follow-up email! :)
Anytime. Self confidence is crucial..in everything!
would you need to be at a target school for that or do overseas companies not care as much
Being in a target school is better. However, it also depends on you – how you portray yourself and what you know.
do you think its a possibility for an American born person who is a chinese speaker to work in the foreign markets in asia in IB or some other finance related job or do they prefer locals
It depends on the interviewer and the job itself. Yes it is possible
do you need to be at a target school for that or do overseas companies not care as much
pls don’t post the same question twice. I’ve just answered this question below
Is Cornell considered a target, or at least faintly close?
Yes
Is the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor considered a target school?
Not target target. Good business school but targets are Harvard, Wharton, GSB, Stern, Columbia
Hi,
I had a question regarding majors. I’m currently a public policy major that is pretty interested in investment banking. I go to Princeton with a 3.5 GPA, which hopefully will rise by next year (I’m a sophomore). I am taking corporate finance classes and econ classes, but I’m not a finance major persay. What are my chances of landing a good finance internship, and what can I do to effectively increase those chances? Thanks!
Join an investment club. Network w alums. Attend all banks’ info sessions on campus and network. Make sure you maintain your 3.5 GPA. Learn modelling/valuation skills!
I am a junior at Arizona State in the business school. The business school is trying to create opportunities for students in Investment banking (and I’m assuming trying to attract recruiters). They have just created a program called the investment banking scholars:
http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/nov2006/bs20061109_424521.htm?chan=bschools_undergrad+programs_today's+top+story
Do you think this program is worth while or a waste of time, if I want to get an internship this summer and eventually a job when I graduate in IB?
Whether it is a waste of time or not is your call. If you want the experience, go for it. Whether it will get you into IB or not is another question – depends on a. your knowledge (technical and qualitative) of IB b. how you pitch your story c. your grades and previous experience in finance e. how you present yourself in interviews and whether interviewers like you f. luck. Enrolling in the program itself doesn’t really illustrate much other than your interest in finance and perhaps some sort of basic knowledge acquired from the course
Hi,
I have been trying to get on an internship in investment banking in the UK. After many attempts on online applications a large quantity of them have been rejected. I do spend a large amount of time preparing the applications, and the ones that were done very well I have not yet heard from them. But I have been left with very little hope.
I wanted to expand my business contacts (I am a second year at university) and felt the best way would be through careers events and networking sessions. However, as you mention, there are always a small group of vultures surrounding the speakers asking mundane questions. I cannot butt in with my own question when the speaker is talking, as it is plainly rude. On the other hand I often find myself putting on an engaging and enthusiastic face for 10-15 minutes, and by then I feel he is sick seeing me there. Even when I do ask a question they never seem too impressed.
It’s all well and good saying I should ask a good question, but when should it be asked if he carries on explaining someone elses question? And then what? How do I get him (or her) to remember me so that if I do follow up with a message he will remember me. I appreciate that bankers see a large amount of faces each day, particularly at recruitment events, but I am a memorable person and it just doesn’t seem to stay in their memories. I try to interact – say who I am and shake his hand once or twice- but that never seems to be enough.
I dress well, I am polite, I go to a very good university. I have some experience working with an accountant and do quite a lot of activities in my spare time. Without sounding arrogant, I genuinely feel I would be one of the best people to do the internship. But the inability to get noticed at networking events and having employees remember me is really starting to demoralise me. I ask for business cards (to be honest I don’t call them because I feel they won’t remember me and I’ll look stupid).
The truth is I was so motivated to get an internship this summer. But it just doesnt’t seem to be happening.
Its hard to stand out in info sessions. And quite honestly standing out in info sessions might not necessarily increase your chances of getting jobs in IB. Your best bet is to network w bankers and obtain leads yourself. Good luck!
Hello
My name is Artjom, i’m from Riga, Latvia. This year i’ve graduated with a bachelor degree in Economy, while i was studying i had two internships in a commercial banks insurance department and three month ago i’ve got a job in a top swedish bank, Securities and Wealth operations department. We had a 2 month training in Helsinki and currently i’m working with sub custody team.
Next year i’m thinking of applying to a MSc programme in Financial Engineering in UK or USA but i will have to study part time.
So i wanted to ask is it possible to get an inteview in an IB with my background? and continue to study while i work or it will be better to get a MSc degree first and then try to apply?
Basicly my goal is to become a trader. Am i going in a right direction?
Regards,
Artjom
Apply and network and you’ll know whether you can get an interview or not
If you want to be a trader, I’d suggest you to learn about trading, trade your portfolio, learn to invest…and network w traders. Not sure if a Masters will help.
Hello,
Thank you for all of the useful information/advice you gave us. I have been learning so much from this website!
I just have one question regarding follow-up emails. I have been activly following up with basically everyone I talked to at the banks’ info sessions, as well as cold-emailing alumni. Lukily enough, I always get replies from the people I contacted, very quickly too – usually the next day. However, after probably 2 or 3 rounds of emailing back and forth, I am not sure if I should keep the emails going on a “2-time-per-week” basis to build an impression and show my dedication because recruitment is indeed coming up in 1 month. Or shoud I just end the email politely thanking them for their time, to avoid the image of me being too annoying/too keen?
Thanks a lot!
You might want to email them and ask for an informational chat
Hi Brian,
One of the tip on Management Consulting’s website was to introduce your FULL NAME so that the bankers will remember you – Simple enough. But what if your full name is super long and complicated? (I am from South India haha) This has always been an obstacle for me in any business type or even social settings so I always just introduce myself with the shortened first name I go by, which does me no favor when trying to recognize my huge ass name when it’s said or on the top of my resume. Lol i know this is a petty, almost insignificant, matter but it’s something I’ve struggled with and was hoping to get your input on it? Thanks!
I’d shorten your name to a name that is professional, catchy and punchy
M&A, another random question:
Do i-bankers have time for facebook accounts,etc…
I-Bankers are not aliens. Yes they do.
Hi,
I graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a BS in Business Administration. I know this is not one of the “target schools”, but I thought I would get some advice anyway. I have been working in an operations setting for the past two years in the St. Louis area. I was wondering if it is too late to become an IB or if there are some steps that could be taken to reach this goal. GPA was not at the 3.5 mark upon graduation, but was 3.0/4.0. Any advice will be of help.
Thanks
Tim
You will find this article useful http://www.mergersandinquisitions.com/finance-low-gpa-no-experience-non-target-school/
Hi,
I’m wondering if I should be applying to different areas of a firm or simply sticking to the one area I’m most interested in. For example, CIBC has investment banking, sales&trading, and risk analyst positions. I want to have the greatest chance of getting a position, but I also don’t want to come off as simply mass sending out my resume everywhere. Would HR see my application 3 times and just throw it away?
This is a common question. I think some firms limit the amount of divisions you apply to. Some don’t. If they don’t, I believe you could apply to more than one. However, I wouldn’t apply to over three divisions because that might show your lack of commitment. Not quite sure if HR will throw your app away but then again they could still throw your app away even if you were to apply to 1 division – you can’t control it
I’m 36 and I recently finished my B.S. in management from a small private school. GPA of 3.25 with 3 F’s averaged in to that, since I worked 60-70 hours per week and went to school full-time, I missed the drop date and could not get my school to issue an incomplete for any of them so I just re-took them and aced 2 of them and B+ in the third.
Now I have about 11 months to go for my MBA, which I will have completed in 3 semesters, from the same private liberal arts college in Illinois.
Currently I’m in a management position in construction, what are my chances of landing any job in finance, besides bank teller?
I know my age is working against me, but realistically am I looking at 60/40 chances or more like 95/5, of getting into a firm at this point in my career? I don’t mind going an extra mile or 10 to accomplish my goals.
Thanks
Chances are not great if you’re talking about getting into something like investment banking or private equity. I would focus on something like commercial banking or private wealth management, and then try to transition over into another field after gaining experience there.
Hi what are your thoughts about Babson College for IB? Have you heard of it? Is it a reputable school or would a public school (like Un. Of Tenn.) be better? Do you now if Babson would have strong alum to network with?
Have heard of Babson but not sure if it is a target. Yes, I believe it is better than a public school. Not sure re its alumni network