Can I Get a job in IB without direct Financial Experience?
IB
Tags:
(Baboon, 105
Points)
on 7/13/11 at 7:29pm
I have recently been considering moving into I-Banking after i get my Master's degree. I have been accepted to London Business School (I am american) but, the majority of my internships/experience has been in digital strategy and some marketing. I do trade but, not in large amounts. Would I be able to land a job in IB (analyst most likely) with a top firm when I graduate?





It will be tough because most
It will be tough because most top firms source their analysts from LSE. Not saying its impossible but not having finance experience puts you at a dis advantage. IB workload is corporate finance x2. Having prior finance experience shows you have the attitude. My advice get one, and humble yourself and look at ALL IB firms MM and BB, because going for a top firm may end in disappointment.
Peter_27 wrote: It will be
It will be tough because most top firms source their analysts from LSE. Not saying its impossible but not having finance experience puts you at a dis advantage. IB workload is corporate finance x2. Having prior finance experience shows you have the attitude. My advice get one, and humble yourself and look at ALL IB firms MM and BB, because going for a top firm may end in disappointment.
Understood. Most of the people I know going into the buldge bracket were pretty well prepared. Would you say I still have a chance at boutiques/middle market?
don't agree with above
don't agree with above comment.
LSE is not the only place they hire from.
London business school is a very well known school. It will definitely help you to get into IB. And open opportunities in other places.
Your work experience does not really matter, as long as you have done something whether it is marketing, charity or whatever, just spin in a way that sounds investment banking style... and you'll have a degree from London business school, that itself should get you interviews, provided you are able to sell yourself well on CV.
eydey wrote: don't agree with
don't agree with above comment.
LSE is not the only place they hire from.
London business school is a very well known school. It will definitely help you to get into IB. And open opportunities in other places.
Your work experience does not really matter, as long as you have done something whether it is marketing, charity or whatever, just spin in a way that sounds investment banking style... and you'll have a degree from London business school, that itself should get you interviews, provided you are able to sell yourself well on CV.
That makes sense and is encouraging. I am normally pretty good at the sell so I'll hope for the best. what is your positon?
by trying you loose
by trying you loose nothing
been offered a job in oil trading and my degree has absolutely nothing to do with it and had no finance or oil trading experience.
to be honest, i think what matters is LUCK.
just believe that you can make it and give yourself the chances. networking is super important, but i am sure at london business school, you will get a lot of opportunities to do so.
got some friends who have a lot of experience, and would seem to be getting IB jobs but fail to,and others with nothing get in.
there is not set rule on this should be that way or that way. everything is possible. so make it happen.
Plenty of people land IB
Plenty of people land IB associate gigs out of business school without previous IB experience. It will certainly put you at a disadvantage, but it can be done. From your background, it's seems to me like you'll have the best shot if you pursue a capital markets role in the tech space. Straight ECM for example is a good deal less technical than coverage groups so it will be less of an issue if you don't have previous banking experience. Look for banks that do a lot of tech IPOs.
No one is going to hire you as an analyst post b-school, that's just not how it works. You'll be an associate. It's fine, plenty of associates don't have previous banking experience. Is LBS 1 year? If it is that's unfortunate, a summer associate position would be extremely helpful. If it is 2 years, make sure you summer at an investment bank.
OP, which masters are you
OP, which masters are you planning on getting at LBS? I was thinking about the masters in management myself.