Does HR even read resumes anymore?

Title pretty much sums it up. For context, I go to a no-name non-target school in the middle of nowhere. However, I've had IB and MF PE internships (largely due to luck) and just wrapped up 2025 recruiting. The thing is, I've only been chosen to interview for 3 firms despite applying to pretty much every firm in the Top 25 despite networking with most of them. I know that some spots are already reserved for targets and nepos, and I get that, but also know there's usually a diversity pool (I'm diversity) and I still had trouble getting in. I figured (naively I guess) that I would at least get hirevues from most firms considering my experiences, but I'm starting to wonder if they even look at resumes at all, unless someone at the firm pushes you through? Is it even worth applying through the online portal anymore? I'd love to hear others' thoughts and experiences about this if possible.

 
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Oh, so you’re diversity and that means you are guaranteed a first round?

Entitlement on kids is crazy these days. Parents need to start telling the kids that they suck sometimes. Otherwise they grow up hearing they’re the best entire lives entitled to everything with false confidence.

Let me be the first, you probably suck.

 

That’s either diversity or nepo. Nothing to do with skill.

You’d know if you had any real life experience as opposed to shitposts on WSO.

 

You can’t just have an informational call with some analyst and check off the networking box… you have to actually get assurance that you’re being pushed to the first round or that you got a referral in their system.

 

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