If an MD or VP forwards your resume to HR, does that translate into a higher likelihood of getting an interview? Is there variation by firm (top BBs vs. mid-range BB vs. lower BBs vs. elite boutiques vs. MM firms)?
Specifically, what has personal experience (as opposed to speculation...) told you?
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If an MD or VP refers you, you will get an interview.
Recently, I meet with an alumni who is a founder of a lower mm PE firm. I got an interview within a week but I was told from my contacts within the firm that the interview was a lot more demanding then someone without a referral.
Emailed an Global Head MD about a position, was in the office two days later for an interview.
Influence of a referral from an MD in a different division (Originally Posted: 11/18/2014)
I'm trying to secure an investment banking internship for the summer. Many of my parents' friends and people in my community work at investment banks but in non-banking roles, such as global head of marketing, an MD in Audit/Legal, MD in S&T and a partner at his firm, and an MD in PWM who manages money for a bunch of bankers. How much of an impact would referrals from these people/ having them pass my resume along make?
Obviously, I'm networking with bankers, but I'm trying to leverage every connection that I can.
Probably not that much impact if any at all is my best guess. Best thing to do is to see if they can introduce you to bankers. Your pwm guy may be a good bet.
It all depends on who they know and how hard they bat for you. If they are good friends with MDs/higher ups in IBD, and put in a legit pitch for you then it's potentially huge. It's a personal recommendation that people will take seriously, and if the IBD person trusts that MD then you'll be in good shape to start. If it's just a "here's a nice kid" well - who knows? Keep working the parents friends and community, you never know who they play tennis/socialize with.
As for internships, if you can't land banking try to get one in S&T or if not, PWM. For graduate recruiting (at least from my days) it will stand you a much better chance of getting an interview in the fall from the banks, given the name. Then you can explain in the interview that while you learned a lot at said internship you realized that S&T/PWM or whatever was just not for you.
Good Luck.
Do you think knowing the global head of HR would be helpful since HR is more involved in recruiting?
It never hurts to use whomever as an intro. It may help or it may not but throw as much shit against the wall as possible and see what sticks
Had an MD in S&T refer me and I got an interview/had ammo to talk about when it came to why do you want to work here/culture.
Also had a back office guy in another country refer me to a front office buddy in the States who helped me get an interview. Good strategy is just talk to everyone.
I tried this before but my connection directly told me that she only has the pull within her division. The good news: that person might know someone in the division you one.
if you get an MD to refer you, can you overcome low GPA and other stats? (Originally Posted: 01/07/2015)
If you get an MD to refer you, can you overcome a low GPA and other stats such as standardized exam scores?
Or will you get asked if they're not on your resume anyway and eventually get rejected?
If you get in the interview room and wow them you can overcome a low GPA - however you're probably going to get asked about why gpa is low etc
If you get in the interview room and wow them you can overcome a low GPA - however you're probably going to get asked about why gpa is low etc
The answer is yes however it'll be somewhat dependent on how low. If it's below the listed cutoff (typically 3.0 or 3.2) then it'll be tough if you are required to disclose prior to interviews as you may not get an invite. If you're above the cut off then you should be fine as long as you rock the interview. I never put my gpa on my resume but I (guess) carried myself with enough confidence that I've never once been asked about it in an interview.
If the MD is already aware of it, you especially should be fine. If they are not and it is below the listed cut off, depending on how close you are (family friend maybe) you should consider disclosing it to him/her as they are much more likely to sympathize with your circumstances and be willing to tell HR to move forward with things if a flag is raised.
Isn't the cutoff 3.5 these days? I have a 3.1
I have a 2.6 UG and am at Moelis/Evercore/Lazard (And I didn't lie about my GPA).
I know someone at one of the BBs with a GPA actually slightly lower than mine. He had offers from 2 actually
You should do an AMA.
That's pretty freaking impressive. You should do an AMA.
Are you still in banking? Would I be able to contact you by any chance? I know this post is from 11 years ago, but I’d really appreciate your insight on this current recruiting cycle if you’re still in banking.
I wish I could, but I have a lot of unique key words in my story that if you googled you could easily find me. Lets just say this...
Undergrad: My undergrad was smaller than my high school and the only employer who came on campus to the business majors (Didn't have a business "school") was Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Interviews: I never studied the interview guides because TBH they don't add any value too you as a candidate. Think of it like studying for a test.. If you study the questions you will probably pass and do well, but what does that do for you when the test is over?? Nothing. I built lbo models from scratch, I have a stack of basically academic finance books that go through the nuances of different models and analyses and I went through the questions and exams in them. My goal was/is to learn as much as I can. I don't want to word vomit the right answer cuz I memorized a technical guide. I want to and would like to think I maintain pretty high level conversations in my interviews to show at least some fluency in finance.
Experience: This is the part where I really can't give any info.
Oh one other thing about the interview. Don't just interview everywhere, the story about "why us?" "why here?" is SO important so if you aren't really passionate about the bank you are interviewing at then don't go. The one thing I reiterated to my interviewers was that I wanted to be at X bank and its 100% true. I am STOKED to be where I am at.
I saw a AMA recently about a guy that said he kept saying over and over "I want to work here" or something comparable. It really comes down to positively differentiating yourself from the countless kids who memorize interview guides.
Love it!
If I can ask one general follow up: did you go straight from UG or did you lateral as an experienced hire?
How did you get these interviews in the first place? I'm assuming you networked heavily, so is there any advice you can give here? What things did you do/say to downplay your GPA and emphasize your strengths?
I'm an off-cycle lateral hire.
Short answer, OP: Yes.
So much solid advice on this thread, that is just perfect for non-target/non-traditional/no-nothings looking to break in at the post grad level. SB'd +1
SMD or VP referral (Originally Posted: 10/16/2008)
Another question, let say i just had first round interview, would it help to ask my SMD or VP to make referral for me to those people whom i interviewed with since i have pretty good relationship with them...would this help me to advance to the next round or not?
as a reference. You should also mention it in the interview while answering a somewhat related behavioral question.
Babboonish
Recommendations and referrals from senior bankers (Originally Posted: 04/02/2009)
How do you get a referral/recommendation from a senior banker/manager to a client or counterparty?
I received this question during a company presentation I went to at my school. I assume this kid basically was inquiring on how to get to a hf post-banking.
My answer was the following - bust your ass, get some good feedback and ask.
At my old firm, this was common practice. At my current firm, its not. Although, I suggested that if you have a good relationship with an MD then you should go for it.
How would you guys go about getting a reco/ref from an MD/VP?
Granted I am not in banking, but are they really that hard to approach? If they like you, they should be more than willing to help out.
Advice on Referrals from MD (Originally Posted: 07/21/2014)
Hi all,
I am currently a rising sophomore from a non-target, interning at a boutique this summer. I have been here observing for a while now. I had a quick question that I am probably way over thinking: I want to ask the MD who brought me on for referrals to other banks for the next summer, however I do not know if I should do this soon (i.e. while I am still working for him) or if I should wait and send him an email about it sometime during the fall? I know it sounds trivial, but I also know that having the correct timing is crucial. Any advice would be great, thanks.
I'm in a very similiar position. What did you end up doing?
Why not ask him for career advice? What's his background? How did he get where he is? Get him talking about himself and his path.. He will probably ask what you are thinking or what you liked about your job... If he originally came from a big bank, ask him to compare that with the small bank experience. etc etc.Are you connected on linkedIN? If you are, you can see who he knows/is connected with and work from there are well
Good Luck
Senior banker referral to a regional office? (Originally Posted: 12/16/2013)
Could a senior banker help you get a SA IBD interview at a different office at the firm?
For example, if a Jeffries NYC IBD director likes me, could help me get an interview in the Houston office, even if my school has 0 alumni presence in Houston?
Are you talking about before you have a job at any office, or moving from NYC to Houston office (from a job in NYC). If the former, it is possible but would be tough- he likely wouldn't know anyone in the Houston office (unless he works in that sector out of NY).
Sorry, should've clarified. For a SA position.
Yes.... I've had senior bankers get me interviews at entirely different firms in different regions...
MD referral (Originally Posted: 03/25/2011)
Hi all,
I spoke to an MD of a boutique bank last week and he said that I call the Director of recruiting and tell him that he referred me. Do you guys have any advice as to how/what I should speak to him? Please give any tips that I could use to turn this atleast into an internship opportunity. I do not want to mess this up and am getting slightly nervous.
Thanks!
I think the best advice in this situation would be to call the director of recruiting and tell him that the MD you spoke with referred you to him.....................................................then say you are interested in working there..........................
fyi, these kind of "referrals" don't usually mean anything. i've came across a bunch and they turn into anything tangible... so don't expect too much
^ I kind of know this..That is the reason I am asking for tips to convert this into something fruitful..
Step 1: Call Step 2: Listen as the Recruiting guy answers. Step 3: "Hi,, I was referred to you by and was wondering if you had a few minutes to talk. I understand that you're busy so we can keep it short."
Step 4: Listen as director of recruiting says, "Oh, I actually have a couple of minutes."
Step 5: "I'm very interested in joining over the summer. Do you foresee any internship possibilities?"
Step 6: ???
Step 7: Profit
^awesome..thanks God of wine!
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