Passing along a resume?

I go to a semi-target school and know that a lot of BB banks don't recruit here. I've gotten in contact with some alumni and am pretty sure that they would be willing to pass my resume along for an SA position when I ask next year.

Do they just forward your resume to HR? If so, is there even any advantage to applying online? I'm just curious how BB banks treat referrals.

 

Certainly helps to have it passed internally. As the person who has passed it on has supposedly screened you, it provides a degree of assurance to HR that you would be a good candidate.

From a UK perspective, often the internal referral can get you past the initial online aptitude test stage and get you straight through to an interview.

Would always suggest that where possible, you get your CV forwarded internally as it will certainly help your case.

 

They probably already know that you want to get a job in whatever they're doing.

Ask them what they think the best way of working your way into an interview is.

If they are willing to forward your resume, they'll tell you. If you ask straight up, it makes for an awkward situation.

PLEASE DONT CHANGE EXCEL SHORTCUTS!!!
 

If you're 25+ years younger, these guys won't feel used. They are usually very rich and have cemented their positions for the long haul. Normally for networking I'd say try and add value in some way and then ask for help, but how much can you really help a guy who makes 7 figures when you're still a college student. Just be interested and sell him on yourself and ask if he could help you out. Tell him you know he is very successful and he has been someone you have tried to emulate. If he's a good guy, he'll help you out. Always try to reiterate how interested and passionate you are about finance and show your technical knowledge. They don't like to put their neck out unless they can pretty much guarantee you won't embarass them.

 

Show interest in what they're doing and ask a lot of questions about how they got into it, what they like/don't like about it, and what they do day-to-day. Say that you're interested in getting into banking and wanted to speak with them and find out what it's like firsthand. Also mention in passing that you're applying to SA positions. At this point if they don't offer to pass along your resume, you can bring it up, maybe just ask if he knows whether they have any SA positions instead of asking to just pass along your resume.

Of course they're going to know what you're after but they expect this and it's still a lot better to spend some time with them "selling" yourself rather than outright asking for them to pass your resume along.

 

It's good that you've been doing your homework, but I would take what's said in any anonymous online forums with a grain of salt since you never know, the poster (myself included) could be a 12 year old.

That said I've had fairly extensive experience with recruiting and I can assure you having multiple people forward your resume is a great thing. It just shows you have a varied support base. By all means, have as many contacts as possible push for you. Oftentimes they can work collaboratively.

 

Thanks GutShot. Do I need to mention that I already asked another person to pass my resume along? don't want to make the higher-up contact think he is just the last resort (though I don't even know if my other contact did actually forward it or not). Plus, how do they react when they learn that I asked both of them to forward my resume from each other or HR (aka, would they think I'm using them)? I'm completely new to this whole thing, so I'm probably being pretty paranoid lol. Anybody else? Thanks.

 

The level of your contact carries a huge amount of weight. Obviously an MD passing your resume onto HR has a much bigger impact than an analyst or associate. If the MD REALLY liked you, he could guarantee an interview. That being said I think your chances of getting a first round are pretty good with a senior MD contact unless you come from a huge school where this MD is just passing along everything he recieves from current students and not making any distinctions or expressing preference, then it's just an additional round of screening with HR, but still better than having to apply through the website. The best way to ensure you get an interview is to do something to stand out in a positive light. Ask to set up a time where you can have an informational interview, ask good questions, just show some way you will go above and beyond and do everything that could ever be wanted from an analyst. If you stand out, and he specifically says to HR "this kid is solid" you will get an interview, and from there you are probably on your own.

And yes... It is that competitive right now.

 

I think it'll probably get you at least a first round interview (especially if your resume is as competitive as you say it is and if you have a senior MD backing you). I also don't think there's going to be THAT many others doing the same thing, so you should be in good shape.

You seem very worried about it and you shouldn't be. It's definitely not the end-all-be-all of your chance at banking. I once had an associate forward my resume on to HR and I ended up with a first round interview because of it, so I do think it carries a good amount of weight. It basically "reassures" HR they're picking a good candidate because people at the firm already like him/her.

Good luck.

 

Have you applied online as well - you should definitely submit an application online as it is usually a requirement if there is a posting.

While it's definitely not a guarantee, it absolutely increases your chances (especially coming from a non-target) and will help quite a bit in terms of getting a 1st round (more so for boutiques - less staff means more impact from staff, but for BBs as well). That said, once you get the interview it falls on you to keep it going.

Keep in mind, however, that the interest of your contact and degree of push matter as well. If the contact drops your resume in a stack, that's one thing, but if he/she forward it to HR with a supportive email/goes to bat/etc, then that will definitely help more.

 

I had this done from a MD. One of the analysts or associates came from my school works under this MD, and he is coming in about 2 weeks for on campus recruiting. I applied on my school job board and on their website, but haven't "officially" heard back yet. All i know is that I got the interview, which is what the MD told me.

 

It depends. I had VP's forward my resume at some places and was never called about an interview. I had associates at other places forward my resume and I got phone interviews. At one BB I had a phone interview (got it with help of a contact) and was never called back by the firm. HR wouldn't even respond to my contact to tell him that I had been dinged. Its really a shit show and you have no control over anything.

looking for that pick-me-up to power through an all-nighter?
 

Junior member resume pushes do help - they are not useless. That said, of course the more senior the banker, the better - analyst up through MD and starting from senior associate, the push begins to have a greater impact.

Non-targets get interviews by casting wide nets, building internship experience and reaching out to contacts - it's not easy, but if it were, everyone would be doing it. The key is to be persistent and to keep looking for new avenues and opportunities - hit the BBs down to the boutiques.

 

One of my friend had an interview with a BB recently. He told me it was mostly technical and some behavioral. We are both undergrad business majors(top 15 undergrad non target) so they tend to hit us with technicals a lot

 

Usually you'll have to follow through with formal recruiting procedures, especially if this is for a BB firm. Despite your transcript, you should be fine as far as getting an interview; having a contact will out-weigh some bad grades, especially if your overall GPA is good.

 

I wouldn't apply through your career center until HR asks you to. My guess is your contact will forward your resume to the appropriate person and they will then contact you asking you to formally register and apply. I would wait until they contact you to avoid creating confusion regarding your application.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

Sometimes pass along resume is just something people say to take any obligation off of themselves. But if these guys work at your company and like you/ have to see you, they might forward the email to HR to have on record. Won't do much unless something is open, so you should stay on top of the timeline in case a spot opens up. There is a long line ahead of you it seems, but if you do a good job in your current department, I'm sure you can look around for other positions or switch firms and upgrade after 6-9 months

 

I'm at a target and I only have 9 hours into my sophomore year, buddy. relax. At the end of this semester, I'm projecting a 3.49-3.58 depending on if i get an A in my 5th class. I took 3 classes last semester.

Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor. -Dr. Alexis Carrel
 

K, thanks for the advice, Santini. :D cheers. I wish i could SB you, but i don't have any bananas. I can give you spirit baanan though, have fun spirit babanan.

Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor. -Dr. Alexis Carrel
 
xxix:
K, thanks for the advice, Santini. :D cheers. I wish i could SB you, but i don't have any bananas. I can give you spirit baanan though, have fun spirit babanan.
I was once on the same plane as someone who works at KKR. I could phone up the airline, get his details and forward on your CV if you want me to?
"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
 

Nope give him your resume and make sure to keep in touch with him. Once you get to a point a few months out make sure to remind him that you're still interested in internship positions and wanted to chat with him/see if he knows anyone else you could talk to/ whatever question you want to ask that makes you come across as interested.

He might not know the exact logistics of SA hiring, but I would have to assume that he has a general knowledge of when it occurs, especially as MDs are often present in final rounds for BB interviews. Don't correct him and don't come back seeming overeager. Thank him again and tell him that you want to stay in touch. In the meantime start working on your interview prep.

 

I had a similar situation happen to me: a MD I worked with during a previous internship told me that he would fastrack me for fulltime recruiting for the next year. I kept in touch with him and when FT recruiting started, a HR told and said to me taht even though this MD really wanted me to join the bank (it was a BB), I still had to go through the whole regular process: applying online, doing the numerical/verbal test, phone interview, AC,... Total waste of my time

 

Stay on top of it. Years ago i had a similar thing: Coffee => CV sent in the pm=> phone call 3 hours later, invitation to interview / "HR will be in touch. don't screw up the interview" => never heard anything

"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
 

No set date. I know a few people who got interviews and offers in March (maybe 1 in April).

For me, there was a instance where an alum forwarded my resume to HR and the next day I got a call saying their last Superday of the year was tomorrow and that they would like me to come down.....so no set limit, but you should get it in as soon as possible while they still have plenty of spots.

"Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."
 

Hey,

One thing looking at your resume that i've read about is the word, powerpoint and excel thing - I think that's quite standard.

I'd elaborate more on your interests on the bottom. the pilot thing is pretty cool

goodluck!

 

Good input!

It's definitely helped in quite a few interviews so far; I find that almost everyone has considered learning to fly at some point. Highly recommend taking a lesson or two on the weekends if you ever have an open Sunday. Flying is incredibly easy it's just like driving in a 3 dimensional plane--just the landing and talking to Air Traffic Control that are difficult.

I don't really have much experience with anything other than Microsoft suite, should I just turn it into an 'Interest' section until I get a chance to work with some more specific platforms?

For my interests: Should I elaborate more on the Pilot's License (aircraft type, hours, ratings?) and is including 'Acrylic Painting' kind of gay? I'll include Beach Volleyball and elaborate on where I've traveled to (Central America and West Africa)

 

I just play volleyball recreationally so I guess I won't include it and i'll keep painting. I just thought I might throw it on there because i'm a tall guy and I innevitably get the 'do you play basketball?' question. I don't, so it made sense to include the one sport I do play that makes use of my height.

I definitely appreciate the resume review but anyone have any insight on my original question? Will I get interviews from the PWM resume forward?

 

Don't ask him to forward your resume. When he gets back (so noon after next Monday) email him and ask when he is available to meet and that your schedule is open. When you get to the desk, you will meet with him along with some of his friends. People on his desk, and some people that he works with (friends on another desk, a sales guy, ect) Listen intently to what these people say about their jobs, have some good questions (both general questions and follow up questions when they say something), ect. Act natural and connect with them..joke around if it is called for ect.

After you have met your contact and talked with people, and you are sort of about to leave, inquire about positions with the group or at the bank. At this point, you have met a lot of people and made an impression. If they like you and need someone, there is a very good chance that you will get an offer for that MD's group. If made an impression, but they don't need someone. The MD will most certainly check around the bank forward your resume to groups that are looking for people.

"Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."
 

Thanks - so basically reply to his email that my schedule is open and I'll be in town next week or something?

Also, i really want to get on a trading desk... how brutal right now is S&T full time analyst programs? My school hardly has any posts and it's not like I go to a non-target. I wasn't sure if the market is that bad or its just my school.

 

I see, but I think one guy in credit risk for a BB forwarded my resume and I didn't get the interview. The resume wasn't my most up to date. I made a few changes but minor ones I believe.

So basically, even if the person has no role in recruiting, if I can get them to forward my resume, then I have done a good job networking with them?

Does the alumni who forwards my resume have anything to lose? Are they putting their credibility on the line by forwarding my resume? Could anything negative happen if for some reason they forward the resume of someone who interviews poorly?

 

An analyst forwarded my resume to the HR - zero interview; An MD forwarded my resume to the HR - interview scheduled soon;

So try to find people at higher level to do this for you, especially when you are not perceived as a "strong" candidate.

The Auto Show
 

I'm in a junior position at a big 4 accounting firm. I get a lot of resumes from students where I went to school. The ones that get passed along are either stellar resumes from someone I don't know, or good/solid resumes from people that have reached out to me and I think would be a good fit. For them, I may give them some advice on how to improve the resume before I pass it along to senior managers and partners. Every one I've passed along has at least received an interview. The point of all this being that yes, an analyst can help you, but they aren't going to pass along every resume they get. They will be more inclined to help if you make an effort to connect with them rather than spamming their inbox with resumes.

 
Best Response
FoodandStuff:
I've networked a lot with alums at JPM, I really like the firm and it sounds like this is the right time to reach out to my contacts and send my resume in to HR to set up a first round interview. My concern is getting the interview - last year I applied for the NY investment banking program as a sophomore, sent my resume in to two alums to forward in, and never heard anything back.

I wouldn't have been surprised since I was a sophomore at a non-target, except I had worked at JPM the previous summer in TSS (BO/MO), and the two alums were both executive directors (right below MD), one in IB and one in S&T. Neither really interacted much with HR, but both alums were fairly high-up employees who liked me and sent my resume in. Should I directly ask them and my other contacts to specifically ask HR to set up an interview to avoid what happened last year, or is there some alternative to ensuring that I get an interview?

I'd say you are a bit late in terms of sending the resume to them, but nonetheless. I would do the same thing you did last year. Whatever it takes to have them send the resume to HR. I wouldn't tell them to ask HR to set up an interview as this will make you look like a bratty kid giving orders. There is no way to "ensure" that you get an interview- maybe they didn't like you as much as you thought, maybe your resume sucks, who knows. They will do as much as they want to do. After they forward your resume to HR follow up with them if you don't hear anything back. If they really do like you and want to help you out then they will look into it themselves/try to have HR set up an interview themselves, but this is out of your control.

 

Thanks for the help, I completely understand how asking them to get me an interview would be out of line, I'm just frustrated from not hearing a word last summer even though I thought I'd covered all the bases for getting my foot into the interview process, and I really don't want that to happen again. Everyone I've spoken to has said my resume is great - I worked in IB for a BB in a foreign country this summer (they don't hire from undergrad, which is why I'm applying in NYC)+JPM work experience my first summer usually seems to impress people when networking.

My concern is that I'm asking for the wrong thing; most of the alums/people alums have put me in touch with have admitted to me that they don't really know how recruiting works. Almost everyone has been nice enough to offer to forward in my resume - they just aren't sure what to do then, or who is the best person to send it in, especially if it's someone in S&T who doesn't know anyone in the IB. If anyone knows the right person, group or something that resumes should end up in that would be great.

Also, is this late in the process? My impression was that since the online deadline is the 15th, they wouldn't start doing first rounds until mid/late January. Anyone know anything about JPM interviews?

 

Applications are due online January 15th. If you have not already done so...do so. Reach out to your contacts again, although you should have been already speaking to them at this point in the game. Generally speaking, I would say that if they liked you and know the quality of work you did while at JP, then I would assume they would ask for you to forward them your resume. If that's not the case, ask them perhaps for their input in strengthening your resume to best situate yourself for an investment banking internship. Keep networking with other alums from your school as well, do not disregard analysts either.

 
GeneralThade:
Applications are due online January 15th. If you have not already done so...do so. Reach out to your contacts again, although you should have been already speaking to them at this point in the game. Generally speaking, I would say that if they liked you and know the quality of work you did while at JP, then I would assume they would ask for you to forward them your resume. If that's not the case, ask them perhaps for their input in strengthening your resume to best situate yourself for an investment banking internship. Keep networking with other alums from your school as well, do not disregard analysts either.

Just to confirm, for people with no access to OCR, the online application deadline for JPM SA is Jan 15th? Where did you see this date?

 

Most definitely!

A director in Germany forwarded my resume to the HR recruiting team for trading in New York. I not only got the job, but i turned it down too to accept a better offer. People in companies can do WONDERS.

USE IT!

.
 

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“Millionaires don't use astrology, billionaires do”
 

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