5 Rules of Getting a Job from a Non-Target School
I’ve been in the industry for several years and I’ve come across every type of situation. I’ve met guys from top schools who work in bulge bracket firms, but I’ve also met people from those same schools who can’t seem to land a great job. Conversely, I’ve met guys from non-target schools who managed to get into a top firm.
Simply stated, I do recommend you attend the best school you can get into. Being the underdog is no fun and even if you “break in” it will take longer to get where you want to go. As well, there are many employers you’ll meet along the way that are very rigid about the “rules”. So even if you get in, it may still be harder to get promoted or find a better job later on. Therefore, the best solution is to attend the best school. This leads me to the first rule:
The next set of rules are suitable for people who don’t end up going to target schools:
In similar fashion, if your goal is to do M&A in a bulge bracket firm, you should get a job doing M&A at a boutique or an accounting firm. The same rule applies for lending: a commercial banker will eventually be able to land a corporate lending job. It takes 2-3 years of experience and a bit of patients but you will eventually get in. Also, remember that your time spent doing mid-market IB/FX/lending will not necessarily count as work experience in the big leagues.
Time is on your side. If you are 22 years old and are trying to get into IB, you have 43 years until you reach retirement age (i.e. 65). Even if you end up working in a tier 2 firm from 22 to 25 and then go for an MBA from 25 to 27, you could still end up joining the industry at 28 years old. That still leaves 37 years until retirement! Most successful bankers are considered “old veterans” after 20 years of experience…. With 37 years to go you have nothing to worry about!






Comments
I wish I had read this
I wish I had read this 2-3years ago, so I didnt have to figure it out through trial & error.
This should be required reading for any non-target very early on.
Hey thanks for this article!
Hey thanks for this article! It was a great read. The part about the top 20 business schools was especially insightful!
Generally, on target and
Generally, on target and correct. Good write-up.
It's really all about odds.
Go to a top school? dramatically increases your odds.
Cold call good contacts? increases your odds a bit.
Simply put: You want to spend your time doing the things that yield the best increases.
grapefury - good analysis
grapefury - good analysis
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Rule #6 - never talk about
Rule #6 - never talk about Fight Club
Stockton was #2 bro
Stockton was #2 bro
Fantastic article! Banana
Fantastic article! Banana awarded! I wish there was more help for people from Non-Target Universities!
You win a few, you loose a few, but you keep on fighting.
Barkley was not even close to
Barkley was not even close to the second best player of Jordan's era. Magic, Bird, Malone, Olajuwon, Ewing were all better and thats just off the top of my head.
Bondarb: Barkley was not even
Barkley was not even close to the second best player of Jordan's era. Magic, Bird, Malone, Olajuwon, Ewing were all better and thats just off the top of my head.
"not even close" is definitely an overstatement. he wasn't #2 but he was in the ballpark at least
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Bondarb: Barkley was not even
Barkley was not even close to the second best player of Jordan's era. Magic, Bird, Malone, Olajuwon, Ewing were all better and thats just off the top of my head.
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DM123: Rule #3: Continue
Rule #3: Continue obtaining designations: Unlike b-schools which can vary in terms of credibility, nobody questions the value of an accounting designation or a CFA. All these things help! Keep trying to obtain additional letters after your name and your ability to land interviews will surely improve.
I like this rule a lot. Letters next to your name are always a good thing.
You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. - Friedrich Nietzsche
Really ground-breaking
Really ground-breaking OP...
So basically work hard, choose a field that you can see yourself having a career in, and do things that will improve chances at getting your dream job? Seems like common sense to me.
Suck my black ****.
Jordan went to a semi-target,
Jordan went to a semi-target, and that's a stretch.
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droking7: Really
Really ground-breaking OP...
So basically work hard, choose a field that you can see yourself having a career in, and do things that will improve chances at getting your dream job? Seems like common sense to me.
If it was common sense 75-80% of the posts on here wouldn't exist.
wannabeaballer: Jordan went
Jordan went to a semi-target, and that's a stretch.
Target for basketball.
Jimmer Fredette went to a non target.
Just a sophomore looking for an opportunity to start up this dream of mine.
Waiting for Brady to praise
"A man generally has two reasons for doing anything. One that sounds good, and the real one." - J.P. Morgan
DM123: Rule 4: There is no
"I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine."
DM123: Rule 4: There is no
"I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine."
Bondarb: Barkley was not even
whatever yo, if MJ's
rm1234: Bondarb: Barkley
Hooked on LEAPS: I like this
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I'll have to second Hakeem as
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no he did not intern at
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Good words.
how is everyone forget about
I eat success for breakfast...with skim milk
Haha how did this turn into a
I agree that Robinson
Im impressed that all the
Really intriguing!
Do you think going to a good
Not disagreeing with the
very well put
From a non-target kid: Which
Great read thank you!