Hi,
I was just wondering if the online application for summer analyst positions as some Banks like BNP or SunTrust is actually looked at. I came across someone who told me that going through a current analyst at the Bank improves your chances compared to someone who just applied online. With the right and possibly better resume, would investment banks still hire someone with contacts within the company or hire the person who just applies online.
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It's always best to just assume that an online application, on its own, will never be acknowledged by anyone at the firm. Obviously that doesn't mean you shouldn't submit these applications, as often they are required for the hiring process but you should always reach out to someone at the firm as well. There are often so many applications online that the only real resumes that get reviewed are ones forwarded through to HR by someone internally.
Reach out to people, when you apply online you have no certainty that your application will be looked upon so it is better not to risk.
For SunTrust, just reach out to an analysts, associates earlier on before recruiting.
Does Applying Online Work For FLDPs? (Originally Posted: 06/07/2017)
Rising senior at a non target looking into all potential career opportunities and recently came across fldps. These programs really interest me because of the chance to get experience in Corp Dev and Corp Strat while also seeing other aspects of the company. I've looked participants from programs that I'm interested up on Linkedin and it looks like a lot of state school kids who didn't have high profile internships. However, it seems as if most people came from schools near the company's HQ so I'm wondering if it's possible to get interviews through applying online.
Long story short: It works insofar as it does indeed get your resume infront of hiring managers. Which is sometimes all you need. In both the companies I've worked for, they had open requisitions and at both of them, I learned that the resumes and applications submitted online went directly to the hiring manager. I think that everyone has accepted the idea that applying online doesn't work, so very few people do it. And then when few people do it, poof! it suddenly works again because you aren't lost in the crowd. I have a feeling this is probably because there are many many companies with open finance positions, so the companies aren't getting bombarded with resume's like a top IB would.. But I've heard from a handful of people who applied online for CF jobs (and fldps) who get interviews. Obviously, you want to get some phone calls and meet ups to supplement your online app, but applying online isn't a black hole by any stretch.
Does Applying Online to F500 Rotations Actually Work? (Originally Posted: 10/13/2014)
1) Does applying online actually work, or do you have to network to get an interview if they don't recruit at your school?
2) I've heard that mid October is already late for most rotational programs. Are they all as structured with seasonal recruiting as investment banks? For example, I know Baxter just posted their development program advertisement a few days ago.
I am also interested in this.
I am going through the interview process for a couple programs I found through on campus recruiting about a month ago, but there are a lot of programs I know about that I am interested in applying online for.
Surprisingly, it does work, however I think the percentage of it actually working is relatively low. I applied for Accenture CF program, and they called me last week.
Try to get someone on the inside to pass your resume, greatly increases the chance that a human will look at it and that you will land an interview.
Yes, it absolutely works. I had internship interviews with a F500 bank, tech, aircraft, and a couple of other industries.
Do you go to a target btw? I go to a top tier state school with a 3.5 GPA and prior ER internship and I am like 0 for 15 with online F500 applications. Goodyear emailed me saying that I am being considered for an interview 2 weeks after I applied. Haven't heard anything since then.
Edit: This is for FT recruiting btw.
During Regular campus recruiting its not effective but off cycle when they need people it's the primary source for candidates.
How can one get into one of these programs if they graduate in August?
In short, yes it works. The guide to finance development programs goes more in depth into this, but it largely depends on your resume (how respected your school is, GPA, major, work experience, leadership activities). The guide is worth checking out for $30, has some good general info as well as some interviews and a list of companies with fdps.
Yes, I received interviews with F500 rotational applying online. Just make sure your resume matches the job description and minimum requirements.
Applying online for BB or other high-prestige firms in general (Originally Posted: 07/29/2017)
Dear Monkeys:
Do HR at such institutions really look at the online applications? The conventional wisdom has been that applying online is like throwing your resume into the blackhole and that HR goes through the resume pool with the keyword-searching software only if they need someone really bad. Given that the "application status" never changes, I wonder if it is even worth my time creating a "profile" (which feels more like an IRS audit) and apply.
Gracias.
Well what's the alternative? It can't really hurt
If you're a competitive candidate, applying online is fine. But not all firms will look at every resume, some do though.
Think about it as putting your drop in the bucket. They have software that is going to filter on preferences. Is it possible, yes, but no where near as good as a current employee dropping off your resume on a recruiters desk.
boutiques/small firms: Is applying online a safe course of action? (Originally Posted: 12/13/2006)
I go to a top feeder school, but my grades are bad so someone recommended applying to less selective places like Piper Jaffray. I'm a junior, and their summer analyst has no formal on-campus hiring. It just tells you "We do not have a formal on-campus recruiting process for Investment Banking summer analysts. For college juniors interested in summer 2007 positions, apply now for our summer analyst program and complete an online application by Dec. 31, 2006."
APPLY NOW is highlighted so you can click it and fill out an application. I'm very skeptical that if I do this I'm going to receive a phone call telling me to that I'm scheduled for a first round interview with Piper. They probably get an astronomical number of resumes dropped through that process. What about the students at Wharton and Stern who apply to 40 firms "just to be safe"? They're often TOO qualified for Piper Jaffray, so does Piper really take the time to interview all of them just based on the online application?
No, that's not enough, online resume submissions at ANY firm susually enter a black hole never to be seen again. Your best bet is:
1) Contact an alumnus that works at the Bank, preferably someone senior, email him your resume or call him 2) Call the Bank directly and ask to speak someone who handles recruiting
This is the only way to get a response, and I've done this successfully myself in my sophomore year.
Well you really have no other option but to apply online, so you might as well! And no Piper is (most likely) not going to interview a kid from Wharton with a 3.8. It makes no sense for them to do this - if the kid is socially normal, they will get offers at much better banks and reject Piper. If the kid is weird/socially awkward then sure they won't get any BB offers, but Piper doesn't want to hire a weird/socially awkward kid either. I have a high GPA at an ivy, and I applied to pretty much everything that said investment banking when I wanted an internship. I got interviews at only about 25% of places like Piper.
And at a school like Wharton which gets absolutely tons of firms recruiting on campus, most people are going to try their luck at those firms first before searching around online for other firms and applying to them. So, you'll have a headstart on those people. If you GPA is below 3.0 leave it off your resume. Try and calculate some other GPA (perhaps a "major" GPA etc.) that is above 3.0 to put on your resume.
So those firms hire AFTER the bulge bracket makes offers and all that?
No, I would guess that they start reading applications around the same time as the BBs, but that they hire opportunistically since they have such a small summer class. But I would imagine that most students at schools like Wharton aren't thinking about applying to places online when they have 40 banks coming to campus shortly. If they strike out with all those banks, they'll apply online to other places like Piper. You should submit your resume to places like Piper ASAP, no later than the first week in January.
you still need a good GPA even at boutiques. You may not need a 3.8 from Wharton...but you won't have much luck with a 3.0 either.
Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...
You're wrong about that, aspiringmonkey. Don't try to give out advice.
What the fuck are you talking about?
wouldn't it make sense that there are still a lot of people trying to get jobs at boutiques? so they might not have 1000 people apply but if they only have 3 spots then they still can be selective right?
And pretty much every single bouique I looked at, still had 3.5 as a minimum gpa, there were only a few exceptions that wanted a 3.2-3.3.
links, i'm tired of the whole my word against others. Show some concrete proof.
Oh and to make it extra challenging, the bank has to be in NYC.
Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...
I had two friends who got interviews at a boutique from non-top schools. Their GPAs were 2.9 something and 3.1 or so. They didn't get offers, but they both made it to superday. It is possible. And yes, if you apply to just 1 bank you're going to get bounced. However, when you start throwing your resume at dozens upon dozens of boutiques, odds are someone is gonna bite.
yes thats true, but you still need some basic qualifications to get thru the selection process. And GPA is one of the major factors that can get your resume tossed.
Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...
Yeah, a 3.0 from Wharton is just shit out of luck at some boutique. Totally screwed, right?
You're almost in your last semester of college and you don't have any job offers. I think there's a reason that it's someone else's word against yours.
I'm done here. I hope nobody is dumb enough to take the advice you dole out on here.
Conclusion: It is great that you're at a feeder school. But low GPA's don't help. Yes, there is always a slim few who make it through the cracks, but the slim few are Ivy and/or have substantial work experience.
A buddy of mine is active with recruiting at JPM. He once told me all the GPA's of the people he took for his summer BA class. Most were 3.7's-3.9's at Ivys. The one rare and the lowest GPA was a "tentative 3.1 GPA" from Princeton. My buddy told me essentially his GPA was shit. However, I think that one had family connections, and was still Princeton at the end of the day.
So go recalculate a nice GPA to put yourself early in the running. Lastly, the online application doesn't hurt you because you have nothing to lose.
That's nice but I'm not asking about JPMorgan, I'm asking about smaller firms like Thomas Weisel. Btw what do you mean "go recalculate a nice GPA"?
Thomas Weisel granted me an interview. I'm non-target, 3.71, and had 0 connections at the firm. Simply sent my cover letter and resume to the name given online.
There are ways to get a job in banking other than sending 1 e-mail to a firm with your resume attached and passing their "official" minimum GPA requirement. Surprised? You are a clueless, stubborn faggot and I am not even going to debate this with you.
Refresh my memory.....
If a place like that [Thomas Weisel] says, "For consideration, please send your resume to (insert name and email)," do you automatically include a cover letter? Or do you only give them what they request?
When it's not crystal clear, add the cover letter. If they don't want it, they just bin it. If they do want it, you've blown it.
CVs without a cover letter look a bit random to me, I like applicants to show motivation and effort as much as possible (provided it's not some dodgy video...).
ive seriously been working on my benchpress and downhill skiing form.... :(
Just apply to SEO. You'll have a great chance if you're from a top school (the SEO pool is largely non-target, so it's much less competitive versus on campus interviewing at a target school) and their GPA requirements are much more lax than the normal process at BBs. Even if you're not technically a minority, I'd still apply. There's no way anyone can dispute you if you say you're hispanic.
Could you please name a few small shops in the NYC area that would hire non-target new-comers?
Get Responses Applying to Jobs Online (Originally Posted: 06/12/2012)
Who out there isn't tired of applying to jobs that never result in an interview, nevertheless, a response?
You can go through hundreds (even thousands) of applications online for low and high level finance positions and never get a response.
Even jobs you're OVER qualified for don't respond to you.
What's the deal?
The deal is you're just a number. A number isn't glorious nor attractive. When it comes down to it, the person going through the applications is going to take those with qualified experience out of the stack and high GPAs/ivy league students. The rest will presumably go into the recycling drawer.
So this tip is especially for those of you who are non-targets who may not have done so hot in school.
When I was applying for jobs out of college (no finance experience, english major with a low GPA), I decided to create a unique process in which I apply for jobs. When I told my buddies about it they all laughed until I actually started getting interviews.
The Process:
1) Apply for the job
The Obvious. I'm not going to go into detail about how you 'set yourself apart' when applying thru an online application. To be brutally honest, the only thing that is going to set you apart at this point is your experience and your education. Not at the top of the stack in either one of those aspects? Proceed on..
2) Research the job
What is the job task? Who will be your supervisor? Who heads this part of the bank at this location? What experience do most of the other employees have in this dept?
This can all be done through a combination of LinkedIn research & the next step..
3) Cold call either the supervisor for the position or one of the heads
This is the most important step to take to turn yourself from a number, into a story, and ultimately into a face.
Be candid with this person and tell them you're extremely interested in the opportunity and would like to learn more. You should prepare some questions about the position and the team that you've applied for. Be prepared to tell your story, but make sure to keep the conversation focused on direct questions in which you can gain information.
If this person does NOT want to talk and asks you to revert back to the site to find out more, simply ask them if you can shoot them over an email with a few questions that they can answer later if they have time. If they simply don't know much about the position, you may have the wrong person on the phone.
The ultimate goal of the phone call is to land a preliminary interview in which maybe you can meet with this individual outside (or inside) of the office for a cup of coffee. This is where you can add a face to the name and tell a little bit of your story. Remember, if you're hitting it off with the person you're calling, always ask for the face to face meeting at the end of the phone call.
4) 'Touch' this individual every week or so
In one way or another, 'touch' this person every week or so. Maybe something has happened in the industry and you wanted to ask this individual their thoughts. Maybe you want to update this person on how you've decided to undertake studying for the CFA.
Whatever. The whole point is to make sure that you're always in the front of this person's mind. A position frees up and you're the first person they think of. He hears of another opening thru the grape vine.
Who knows.
The whole point is you're showing interest. The worst he can do is ignore you.
And to be quite honest, I'd rather get ignored and move on than sit and wait for months after applying online. At least now you know.
Move on.
5) Repeat
If you make this your new process in applying for jobs, I guarantee that you'll start talking to more people & landing more interviews. Being proactive is underrated in this industry. A lot of college grads are 'intimidated' by bankers and refuse to be proactive. This is a fallacy and a crock of shit.
People who work in finance are regular people, contrary to popular belief. In fact, a lot of them may be tickled that you actually contacted them.
Congratulations. You're no longer just a number.
This is extremely true. I am a freshman and I cold-called over 30 places to get my offer for the summer. Although many firms just won't hire a freshman (small boutiques really need interns pulling a work load, as the don't have a lot of resources), I've had numerous partners and MDs tell me that "I have guts" for calling. Even when I applied formally online, when calling to speak more about the position, I would often get a response hinting that I was the only applicant to do so. This really helped me, as when I got the offer, the director told me that he enjoyed our initial conversation. It's all about making connections.
Did the same thing. Am now working fulltime in an analyst program.
Started getting more interviews immediately after starting this method. Got my first 2 offers about a month after taking this route
great advice. will definitely follow this method next year.
Great advice! I've been networking til blue in the face. This is so true!
tag
This strategy was where the majority of my interviews came from. Oddly enough, my job offer came from my top pick, where I applied online at the company website and did no networking.
Bypassing the online job application portal (Originally Posted: 01/28/2013)
So I've found an ER associate posting in the sector I'm gunning for, but it's one of those online applications that we all know don't get you anywhere, so I'm thinking I'll try to find the analyst who would be hiring and send my application direct to his inbox. First of all, this isn't a bad idea is it? The next thing, I've found a list of the analysts in that sector for the company, and two of them have phone numbers in my area code. One is director of research, the other is just an analyst. Should I send my application to both of them or what should my approach be?
doesn't hurt - worst is a rejection..
Still submit the online application. If you end up getting in contact with the analyst and he tries to duck you by saying "submit an online application and it will be reviewed by HR" you can counter him by saying "I actually already submitted my online application but I am very proactive and thought it would be more effective to reach out to you, express my interest, and see if you had a few minutes to discuss the opportunity and the firm."
Unless you are a complete shoe-in, you should still apply online so there is a record of your information. If you aren't in the system you might not be assigned to a recruiter and could get lost in the mix.
How does this look as an email? Total rough draft (I tweaked my standard cover letter a bit), so am open to input. Also, I'm going to assume its in my best interest to not send it out during business hours...
Dear (name of analyst),
I understand your firm is hiring a research associate for the energy sector and, with that being your sector, I thought I would drop you a message and see if I couldn’t bypass the whole online job portal system as we all know those are virtually impossible to get through.
I have broad exposure to the industry, ranging from field experience on production and stimulation sides, to the logistical side that takes place in the head office. As a business analyst with (current company), I have the benefit of working in virtually all areas of the firm - I model multi-million dollar frac's, report on (firms) ROIC, analyze inconsistent margins and so much more. This position requires an in depth understanding of the industry's costs and drivers, which is a vital part to any research-related position.
I developed the skill set to handle long, unpredictable hours while operating a bulk cement truck for (company). If three hours of my work means the analyst can spend an extra fifteen minutes with a covered company’s management, I'll do it no questions asked.
Given my experience in all sides of the upstream services sector I would make a particularly good fit for this position. I’d like to discuss my qualifications and welcome any advice with respect to (firm name) at your earliest convenience. You can reach me at (phone number), or via email at (email). A copy of my resume is attached for your reference. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
(name)
facepalm
Would you suggest being more casual in my email? Less cover letter more "hey I'm interested, any tips"? The one thing I've heard from the 2 associates that I've managed to get ahold of is to be completely professional in my communications hence using more of a cover letter than just a touch base email.
Online Applications - Opinions/experience (Originally Posted: 01/26/2007)
I am sure that everyone has their own opinions/experience with this, but do Investment Banks - particularly the "Bulge Bracket" ones - read online applications for people from non-target schools?
A lot of the people I have talked to have told me that once your resume is submitted online, it will never see the light of day again. I'm sure this is a slight exaggeration, but I'm guessing that unless you have a contact, especially at a BB, then you can pretty much count on no one seeing or caring about your resume. As an aside, do analysts have any ability to pass on a resume to anyone higher up?
Yes, analysts do have that ability, so long as they aren't the shittiest ones in the bank. Generally, it would go to HR, who would then actually look at it and figure out what to do from there.
Best Places to apply for an internship online? (Originally Posted: 02/25/2007)
Besides your schools e-recruiting site, what are some other websites you guys have found helpful in finding an internship?...thanks
monster
http://www.goatse.cz/
thats so homo....
How Important are Online Applications for Targets? (Originally Posted: 01/09/2011)
Hi all,
With resume drops around the corner, I was wondering how important the online applications were in addition to submitting an application through resume drops? Most of these places want you to submit an online formal application as well, but many of them are pretty tedious, with many pages for you to fill in leadership achievement/IT Skills, just stuff that is already more or less covered in the Resume/Cover letter.
Is the online app a formality for those attending targets with resume drops? Should I fill these out in its entirety, or assume that my resume/CL are the only things being read by my school team?
Thanks all for responses in advance!
usually they tell you on the job page at your career system
other than saving a few minutes, there is no benefit in not doing the online app as well. It shows that you actually care about the position, and that you are not lazy.
I'm at a semi-target, and the banks tell us that we need to fill out the online app regardless of the resume drop so that we are in the HR system. Unless targets have some other setup, I would assume that it is the same deal since it sounds more like an administrative point rather than a recruiting one.
And like the above poster mentioned, filling out an online app isn't going to help you, but it could hurt you (though only if you are extremely unlucky or something) if it was sloppy.
In all of the BB and MBB job postings at my school it says that an online application is required. If they want you to fill out an online application, then do it. If it doesn't say anything about applying online (which most MM banks do not) in addition to the resume drop, then don't do it.
They need the online app so you are in the system. Just put see resume in the sections that are covered in your resume. Banks will only review the info you submit via your career website for on campus recruiting.
Online Applications for trading firms (Originally Posted: 07/17/2011)
I go to a top 15 non target school that is not in the proximity of Chicago. The prop trading firms in Chicago do not come to my school for campus recruitment. I've heard that big banks don't look at applications posted online; are the prop trading firms any different? The firms I'm talking about are specifically, DRW, CTC, Spot, Optiver, etc. in Chicago and Jane Street and FNY in New York.
Does anyone know if they look at the online applications and consider them in the same pool?
Does anyone have any experience applying to these firms online and getting a response/interview and possibly an offer?
Thank you very much in advance.
They don't either. But if you can prove you are interested, like providing examples of trades in a PA, how you make a decision, risk management, etc, cold networking becomes a lot easier once you can actually make contact.
Dunno about prop shops, but some smaller MM investment banks definitely look at online aps for S&T positions, check those out
Thanks for the advice. Could you give me some examples of MM investment banks or a link to the list of them?
Online Application - Boutiques and MM banks (Originally Posted: 10/08/2011)
Do the Boutiques and MM banks actually look through the applications submitted on their websites when picking SA interview candidates? I'm in the process of summer internship recruiting and trying to decide what is the best way to reach out to some of the smaller firms (besides cold calling and emailing).
Some do, some don't, but you should stop at nothing in your attempt to make a personal contact - it's impossible to overstate the advantage it will give you
How to increase your odds during online applications (Originally Posted: 10/01/2015)
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