IBD summer analyst vs FT application (London)

Hey Everyone!
I am currently contemplating whether I should apply for bulge bracket IBD SA or FT position in London.

Background:
-Bachelor's degree from non-target UK university
-secured M&A internship at bulge bracket (London), but didn't convert to FT :/
-Will start one-year Masters at top business school in Europe (think LSE, Oxbridge, LBS, HEC)

Right now I don't know if I should try to get another M&A internship at a BB or should I apply straight for FT position given the fact that I already have done a BB internship in M&A

Thanks in advance for the help

 
Best Response

Entirely up to you.

The fact that you've completed a summer internship will help land you interviews for a FT role. However, the competition for those FT roles will be fierce. You'll likely be interviewing against others who have also completed at least a single internship. It's likely they may have done more, and you may even come across Analysts looking to lateral over. Plus, you'll be competing for only a few spaces.

Similarly, you'll find it easy to get interviews for a SA position, but securing the internship will also be easier (You'll likely be competing against candidates who have only completed a spring week) But, you'll have to go through that 10-week slog, without the guarantee of a full-time role.

Personally, I'd go for a SA position. It's much easier to get, and you'll definitely perform better in your second internship, because you've been through it before. Use this expertise to outperform others, last the 10 weeks, and you should be able to secure an offer this time around. However, it does become crucial that you get the FT offer. After several internships, people then begin to question why you're not converting.

Oh, and since you'll be in your final year, some banks (Rothschild, Lazard) are strict in that you're only allowed to apply for FT roles anyway. Hence, you can mix up and hedge your applications that way. The banks may ultimately decide for you anyway.

 

Nope, sorry. Limited knowledge in that area. In London, it still seems pretty rigid that you complete the traditional two year IB stint before moving into VC/PE.

But I have heard of a PE firm (name slips me) that recruits graduates. I think I also came across the Blackstone summer application as well. But, again, I imagine they'd be looking to take the very best of the best.

 

Do it.

God, why do you need to ask this question on WSO? Have you tried? Didn't think so.....

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 
rpc:

You're able to apply for SA positions, although you're best off delaying graduation a semester. Most places wants SA's to have at least a semester left.

Funny thing, the UK university system isn't the same as US....weird, right?
"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 

London SA. You have almost no shot at BB FT. Could work at boutiques though.

It is definitely possible and relatively easy in Asia but you may not be able to move to the West later. New York>London>rest of the world for IBD training and everyone knows it.

Casanova always thought he was lucky. But when you imagine millions of Casanovas to begin with, going down the same path, you realise Casanova wasn't lucky; he was the only one who succeeded and had his story published. Others failed and never came to the
 

Even for "regular" people like me with Masters, European languages and 2 internships in IB, recruitment is tough...

You got no specific European language (most banks put you into country teams, French maybe since you re canadian?), most FTs get filled through SAs and you have no real experience in IB ===> SA.

Best cases: in Jan 2015 your SA employer or another employer can make you into FT (since Jan is new FY, it is quite common if they feel the business need and if you specify your desire date once you have an offer).

 
  • could I apply for both at GS: intern and FT ? the system would let me fill out a second application

edit: sry my mistake - its not possible.

does it make sense to create a new account for intern app or would that come across as weird?

 

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