Better to Know Banker or HR?
Would I be better off focusing my search on talking to the bankers in the field or would it be worth the effort to try to get in touch with HR connections as well?
I'm not entirely sure how the process works. Doesn't HR ultimately make the decision on whether or not to give a first round interview? Does the same HR group span across every division of the investment bank, or does, say, IBD have their own HR group, and S&T have there own etc?
You are absolutely better off focusing on bankers, than HR. Bankers make the decisions, and hold the power. Yes, HR absolutely screens, and plays an important role in the process, but good recommendations from a few bankers will go much further than a bit of HR support. Generally speaking, I have never heard of HR ignoring a few bankers when they like a candidate - keep your eyes on the ultimate prize - you don't want a first round interview, you want the job. Being in good favor with bankers can get your resume looked at, but more importantly, can provide you with at least a bit of an advantage when it comes down to the later rounds (it will still rest on your shoulders to prove that you are good enough for the job, but it definitely doesn't hurt to know some bankers and have their support - remember, once the bankers know you are smart, it becomes whether they can tolerate, and will want to, work with you for a year or 2, during long strenuous hours - knowing bankers and having their support definitely helps to alleviate those fears).
If you have the opportunity, it doesn't hurt to know both HR and Bankers (and it shouldn't require much time to reach out a few times), but, for whatever reason, if you can only reach out to one group or the other, I have to go bankers.
IBanker www.BankonBanking.com Articles, News, Advice and More Break Into Investment Banking
Totally agree.
HR can get you an interview if they really want to, in most cases, they do not. Much better off trying your chance with bankers. Be careful not to spread your net too wide. Based on a true story: Lets say you somehow find a way to get names of all the people lets say in the RE group, and you send us all a stock email. Over dinner one night, 75% of us figure this out and we all decide to ignore you because you are a pain in the ass. Someone not at dinner decides to initiate dialog and decides to help you and gets you an interview. You show up at your first round 2 on 1 interview and we recognize the name, you are dinged instantly even though you had someone vouch for you. Pick your spots, and try to minimize damage of your errors. We've all fucked up one way or another in networking, but don't let it come back to bite you in the ass later on.
Non repellat nihil repellendus tenetur voluptas est. Et odio debitis ut fuga sint. Et id in sint blanditiis. Laudantium et deserunt possimus. Dolores repellat illum est quibusdam nulla sequi odio minus. Voluptas quod voluptatum nemo similique ut qui.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...