Applying multiple internship positions in the same company

Hi everyone,

I am applying for summer internship now and I know applying multiple posts might get rejected directly, However, my case might be a bit different.
The company I am applying offers summer intern (for penultimate), apprenticeship (for non-penultimate) and off-cycle intern.
And the department for each of them is different (commercial banking, securities, risks and operations).
Will applying to all of these ruin my application? If I choose to apply securities first, is it ok to apply commercial banking after I get rejected?

Many thanks

 

I think it's best to focus on only one division from my conversations with alumni.

However, I applied to multiple divisions at my BB and was given interviews at a division I didn't even apply to because they passed around my resume so take that as you will.

 

I know it's definitely best to focus on one, but I kinda already applied for a fall back MO position because I have an almost guaranteed spot due to an unusual circumstance. But, that same circumstance won't help me at all with getting into IBD at the same firm, which is my real goal and what I'm working to make happen.

So basically the damage is already done with the MO application, and I just don't want to be auto dinged for both when I apply for IBD.

 

Usually frowned upon, however sometimes it is encouraged by those who are working at the firm trying to recruit specific people to their desks. But those are rare cases.

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pubfinanalyst:

Use the damn search

If you have nothing to contribute regarding my specific question on cover letters and their relationship to the recruitment process and different jobs, then please don't bother replying with a useless sentence.

Furthermore, I'd love to discuss my specific situation with members. So using the "damn search" would be futile.

 

I've applied to many positions at the same firm before and regret it. Unfortunately, I couldn't withdraw. I just stick with JPM's standard now and apply it to the other BB's I apply to. Two is fine Max is three and never go over that. Not sure about other people. Applying to many positions at once only worked once for me but they called me two to three months after I applied, I couldn't even remember when I applied for that position.

 

Need more context: what kinds of positions are you applying for and at what kinds of companies?

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

yeah auto-ding for sure. im sure HR realizes it..thast why they ding u. they want people who are absolutely sure of what they want (or at least can pretend they are). completly unfair to ask an undergrad too make that kinda decision, but thats how it goes..

 

yeah you guys are definitely wrong. it's not an auto-ding at most places. I did this at several banks and still got interviews at some. They usually just pick you for an interview in only 1 division. This is for SA though, the expectations might be different for full time.

 

At some point I was interviewing in NY and SF with the same firm. That said, the recruiters in both offices were aware of the other. The processes were pretty independent in my case; however, I could easily see some collaboration going on, and you're probably not going to get offers from both.

 

If you are at a BB, they will know for sure (even if you think they don't)...boutiques may or may not, depending on their size. Some banks, like Jefferies, for example, have the same HR individual covering both SF and LA ibd recruiting. When that's the case, it doesn't matter if you get in through an alumni contact or what not, the HR will know.

 

Yes, he should tell the 2nd group - since it is both IB and just different locations, he might as well give full disclosure since he can one day land on a joint deal team - there's no reason to not just let them know especially since in this case it can let the 2nd group know that if they want him, they need to decide quicker. If the 2nd group decides not to pursue, then they probably would have turned him down by the end anyway and he will know to accept the 1st group without question...if he happens to get an offer (which is jumping the gun a bit already).

Don't make a big deal out of it, but its fine to mention that during one of the interviews - if he ends up working there, it's always better to be upfront with your colleagues.

 

Normally, when the website leaves room for multiple choices, you are expected to pick "correlated" units. Ie. S&T at Goldman Sachs, Principle Strategies, and GSAM hedge funds or the like. The same applies for "ibanking"-like positions. I don't think HR wants to see a candidate who applied for both at the same time--it just reeks of indecision and inability to commit.

 
xistguru:
I dunno, I think saying "I want to go in ER and S&T to leverage my insider knowledge of the markets to generate trading ideas" would be a worse answer.
And the rebuttal: "Chinese walls? Yeah I know all about them. You're able to see them from Google Maps"
 

Yeah, my experience is that applying to more than one is a giant ding. Like makeyourownluck said, I have always heard it means you're unfocused and don't know what you want. I have seen some of the careers sections of different firms tell you to apply to multiple positions if they interest you, but I still think it's a bad idea.

Apply to the one you want most. If you think you have no chance for it, then apply to the other.

"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed." Theodore Roosevelt
 

also, most BB want to know that you have a "story" as to why you want to do banking or s&t. Not that your in it for all the side BS that people typically cling onto for whatever reason. I'd if I was you apply to the one your most interested in and while at the firm leverage some contacts in the other department that way if what you end up in this summer is not what you want to do or where you see yourself perhaps either you can land an SA next summer in that department or a FT role given you've mixed well with your peers and fit in with the I hate this word "culture"

its one way or the other: hate me or admire.
 

Can't imagine it would be a bad idea to apply for a job at a firm you were rejected at already. I would assume they probably don't remember you anyway.

Just don't be an application whore. As in, if they see your name all over the place they will notice and think you're not specifically serious about any of them and you probably don't know what you want to do.

 

Do what they tell you. Some firms will say that it's okay to apply to up to X number of divisions. Some request that you apply to only one. In the end, it won't really matter, as online apps are hardly looked at anyway.

 

A friend of mine from a non-target (like no alums in the company at all) applied to banking 1, trading 2, and controllers 3 at a BB. He got the controllers spot for the summer and then moved to FICC through internal mobility. Some banks on the other hand dont like it at all.

 

I am out of school, so "they" have not told me anything.

I am trying to find a spot at a smaller IB shop...

I am just going to websites, and looking on job posting websites...

 
GOB:
3 positions 1 BB. Same recruiting season

^^Same.

"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."
 

A kid at my superday interviewed for research and capital markets back to back. I remember reading on here that he got the offer in Cap. Markets, even though he had those interviews in the afternoon.

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

I personally appreciate it when a candidate knows what s/he wants and just goes for it. Some firms try and determine your fit by quizzes or just by speaking with you.

It's a mutual fit process: you choose the division, but the division must choose you as well for this to work.

In my opinion, after four years of undergraduate schooling, you should be old enough to decide for yourself what you want to do with your life.

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can backfire. i got interviewed by 2 divs at one bank and was called by div2 to be rejected post superday from div1. in many cases i would get interviewed by the div I had not preferred. so either way, i lost and really so did they when i turned them down and theyd wasted their time. plus then how do u answer the question - are u only applying for investment banking? or other variations - what else are you applying for? IB doesnt want to hear uve considered any other career choice and thats impossible to hide if both divisions interview you.

 

In my experience don't do it unless you have a good enough justification. I had several divisions down on my application and was questioned about it at every round; fortunately I managed to spin off a persuasive enough reason.

Nevertheless,in retrospect I would say definitely only put one division down because it shows that you are focused and know where you want to be. Unless you have recommendations from people within the bank that might put more weight behind your application...otherwise state one division and state why.

Also, if the bank likes your application, but thinks you might be better suited to another division they will still put you forward-if you are good you won't miss out.

 

There is a Massive difference between markets and IBD. Both in terms of the type of work, hours, skillset, culture, career progression etc. It's not like choosing a desk or team, where you can be excused for not having a strong preference at SA level.In an interview you need to be able to demonstrate that you are fully aware of this and you should be communicating the reasons why you want to pursue one rather than the other.

Even if you believe you are capable of applying yourself to both fields, remember that other candidates are going into the interview fully loaded with reasons and experiences that reflect their ambitions for a career in one. The more convincing you are, the more impressed they will be. Having completely different divisions on application is a big give away to HR that you haven't done your research. So don't fall at the first hurdle. Read around, speak to your university's alumni or any friends in industry who will be able to give you an insight into the type of work they do, and the type of hours involved. Soon enough you will have a clearer picture of where you fit in.

 

I doubt that the different divisions is a red flag. Every single interview I had i explained that the particular division was my first choice, but that to be safe I was applying to everything. Every single one of my interviewers told me that they would be doing the exact same thing in my shoes. Granted, you have to be prepared for both kinds of interviews, but that is not as hard as it sounds in my opinion if you start preparing during winter break before interviews.

 

This is not a big deal at all.

My school was a target and everyone was applying to everything. Didn't make a lick of difference. I applied to hedge funds, consulting firms, PE firms, IBD and S&T within the same bank, Asset Management (just to be safe) etc. Told everyone that I think they're my top choice. My friends did the same.

 

if you don't get S&T you won't get IBD! If they think you are better suited to IBD they will ask you to interview for that even if you don't have it on your application. That's how it works in London.

 

yes i meant BBs here. also, does applying to both IBD and ECM/DCM look ok to them? i know some banks have the same HR group covering all front office positions and I dont want them to see my applications all over the place. thanks!

 

The odds that the same person will review two apps from you are slim at a large firm. You could probably get away with doing this but HR has reasons for only allowing 3 applications. It will look like you are attempting to pull one over on them, which you are, if you provide separate addresses to cheat the system. Obviously they want you to apply where you have the most interest since they have limited resources to review applications. This streamlines their process. I wouldn't risk it and would focus on your top 3/ applying at more than one firm. Just do the ethical thing so they have no reason to think you are a sketch ball. If you were not getting noticed following the rules you probably won't get noticed flooding them. If you do it could be for the wrong reasons.

 

Since it is for an internship they are going to be a lot more flexible about this. I don't think they expect you to rule out career paths that you don't have any experience in

This to all my hatin' folks seeing me getting guac right now..
 

In my experience, there is very little communication across lines of business in terms of HR. The only way it would be noticed in a big financial institution would be for you to bring it to their attention. Put all your chips in the middle of the table and see what pans out.

 

I've heard the same advice that goblan is giving many times; however, at the BB I ultimately ended up signing with I applied for 3 different positions, interviewed for 2, and got my first choice. I don't know if that's just random luck, but I am guessing that at BBs as long as you only apply to 2 or 3 you're probably not going to be noticed. Maybe just be on the safe side and try to apply to positions that are similar or have some overlapping skillset / interest you could explain if asked. You won't be asked though.

Remember, once you're inside you're on your own. Oh, you mean I can't count on you? No. Good!
 

Its fine to do in OCR or on a company website. I was asked to come to a superday in both S&T and IB from the same firm. They just told me I could only do one of them.

As long as you tell a good story, no one will really care. Keep in mind that in OCR the S&T guys and IB guys will most likely NOT talk to each other. Remember they sit on opposite sides of the chinese wall and usually like to keep contact to a minimum (unless they are friends from college).

Do not make a second account on the companies website, HR will just get annoyed and you might end up with things getting lost.

On a more Macro level, why are you applying to both of them (aside from maximizing the amount of interviews). The two jobs have next to nothing in common, the people involved tend to be very different as well. You would be better off just focusing on one or the other and you wouldn't have this problem.

--There are stupid questions, so think first.
 

agree...most websites (like DB etc) state that duplicate accounts will be deleted (so please dont make two profiles and feel like a douche if this comes up during an hr interview) and yes S&T and IB have a very different culture and personality fit, so powermonkey is very right in questioning why you want to do both...i agree flexibility is important, but maybe you need to reevaluate what you really enjoy doing and your personality fit

 

Yes, they said I could only do one of the two superdays (I choose IB obviously).

Location wise, apply to as many locations as you feel like. For the most part, who cares where you live while being an IB analyst, you won't have a life anyway.

--There are stupid questions, so think first.
 

I'm only an undergrad.. but in my point of view; yes it is a bit awkward. The question is if the one who gives you the first offer will find out about the latter. If they are independent I guess they won't. Do they perhaps have some kind of policy about this that you might find out more about on their website?

On the other hand, I think they might be understanding. I mean.. It's not weird that you look for opportunities that suits you best.

Guess the only way to find out is to just try.

 

From what I've heard, it's generally not advisable to apply to multiple offices for one firm. For example, say you get an offer from Goldman SF and are interviewing for Goldman NY. It doesn't make sense for the firm to compete for the same candidate internally. On the other hand, if you get rejected at Goldman SF and are interviewing for Goldman NY, Goldman NY may wonder why they should hire you if Goldman SF didn't want you to begin with.

 
monkey168:

From what I've heard, it's generally not advisable to apply to multiple offices for one firm. For example, say you get an offer from Goldman SF and are interviewing for Goldman NY. It doesn't make sense for the firm to compete for the same candidate internally. On the other hand, if you get rejected at Goldman SF and are interviewing for Goldman NY, Goldman NY may wonder why they should hire you if Goldman SF didn't want you to begin with.

Anyone have any idea if the firm will know? Especially at bulge brackets, because to apply to any office you need to also apply through their site online, so they can easily find out...

This is a pain...

 

Well, not doing it is irrelevant at this point since I've submitted the applications already. I just wanted to know how much of an impact it will have if I decided to create a different account.

 
junpark:
Unfortunately, I found out that this specific firm will only let you apply to two roles per account

This is standars in Asia Pacific. Usually you get 1st and 2nd preference.

 
timothy0:
junpark:
Unfortunately, I found out that this specific firm will only let you apply to two roles per account

This is standars in Asia Pacific. Usually you get 1st and 2nd preference.

Well, usually other firms will limit you to 2 roles per region. This specific firm did not mention anywhere on its Asia Pacific webpage that it has 2 max app restriction for Asia and US combined.

 

here's a piece of advice that's slightly different than your topic. Stay away from Nomura, they are in the process of or already axed the entire first year analyst class and more than half of their first year associate class in IBD. it's a bloodshed over there too.

So if you are relocating, make sure to secure a very nice relocation package because you never know if they will cut you and send you packing in a short period of time. And yes, even the BBs there are cutting as well.

 

I understand the need to hedge against your risk, but I don't think applying to more than one position helps you. Especially at the associate level, you're supposed to understand what you want to do. It's more acceptable for analysts to be confused coming out of this process in college, but going into the MBA, you should know what you want to do.

IBD and S&T are a horrible match because the jobs are so different. Very few people can succeed in both roles. Also, S&T is a pretty bad hedge right now as they are hiring less than on the IBD side.

 

i don't really buy the logic that "you're only meant for ONE division, and if you don't know that, then you need to do a lot of thinking blah blah"

if you're a smart person, it's conceivable that you could be good at both. that being said, what eric809e said about expectations of knowing what you want to do for summer associates could be true (for analysts, it's not).

 

cool, right now I am thinking IBD and PWM. I used to be an engineer before, so trying to leverage my analytical skills for IBD. I was also involved in several organizations that demonstrate my people/interpersonal skills, so trying to leverage that for PWM.

Honestly, i'm not too interested in pursuing PWM long term, since the exit ops are limited. But odds are, given my non-specatcular adacemic profile (great schools both undergrad and MBA, but low GPA in both), plus the fact that the market is like crap, I would probably have a better chance at landing PWM for the summer. In which case I'll try to get something better full time come next year.

I just want to understand what their thought process when they read your apps..like, does PWM look at my app to IBD and think they don't want to be the backup? Or does IBD look at my app to PWM and think I don't know what i want? Or am I thinking too much and it doesn't matter? In this case they allow me to upload separate cover letters to either division.

I am definitely applying for IBD...should i also check the PWM box or forget about it?

 

Without talking about the fact that It might hurt your chance to apply in strategy, did you think about what you want to do in the long term?

Imagine that for some reason they refuse your application on strategy (let say because of your low GPA), but you are accepted in HC and receive a FT offer, then what?

Do you really want to work in HC? Because there is no chance to move internally from HC to strategy. Perhaps if you really want strategy, you should try to apply to a smaller consulting firm or in F500 company. And later try to be hired as experienced hire or do an MBA before applying again.

On the other hand, if you are interested by HC, just go for it !

 

This is stupid.

[quote]The HBS guys have MAD SWAGGER. They frequently wear their class jackets to boston bars, strutting and acting like they own the joint. They just ooze success, confidence, swagger, basically attributes of alpha males.[/quote]
 

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