Does applying jobs directly through company websites work?
Or large and middle market financial firms recruit only through recruiters?
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I don't know about US but what I read here suggests that networking gives you infinitively more chance than applying via website.
But I can talk for Europe - applying via website is most common and works. I landed a bunch of interviews and all my offers this way.
It usually doesn't work - most firms do their recruiting through on campus recruiting for students at target schools, or alternatively, through headhunters/recruiters or employee referrals, which is why it's a bad idea to spend hours applying to different positions only through a website; it'd be a much wiser investment of your time to contact alumni who work in roles that you are interested in and to learn about what they do (and hopefully make a good impression).
It absolutely does work, gotten several interviews at top firms from just applying online (this is for full time though). I'd still recommend contacting alumni, but from merely applying online (no networking) when I was going through FT recruiting, got interviews at places like GS/Blackstone. For summer analyst positions, I don't think applying online works nearly as well, but I still don't think it's a waste of time.
However, I believe they filter applicants, so if you're not from a target with high GPA and good summer internship, I don't think you'll pass the screening filter and get your resume looked at.
Big discussion on this a few days ago here.
To long didn't use the search function: Yes it works, many smaller firms recruit through their websites and networking only.
Yes it works for big and small firms. It works less the more experienced you are though, I mean like SVP/ED/MD levels.
It definitely works, at least here in Europe. A friend of mine got an SA BB offer in IBD in London, others got a bunch of interviews (non target school for most BBs)
Apply online or reach out directly? (Originally Posted: 12/17/2013)
I have about 3 years of consulting experience. I'm looking at an opening at a F100 company that requires 5 years (though these things are flexible). Should I apply online or reach out directly to a recruiter listed on LinkedIn?
Would appreciate insight from anyone that's been through the job search
Directly to recruiter
Reach out directly vs. Apply online (Originally Posted: 03/05/2013)
I am in the process of seeking out a job opportunity (Biz/Strategic Development) at a fairly big Media Company. I've applied to several different positions (including positions that I am over-qualified on paper for i.e. junior financial analyst, etc.) online at this company over the past year, but have NEVER ever heard back.
Coming from an IB background, the specific opportunity that I've come across is exactly the type of role that I'm looking to transition into. Given that I've never made it passed the resume screening (for reasons unknown), I've decided to approach this opportunity differently - by reaching out directly to a VP in the group (sent a "cold" email to first.last@companyname).
Surprisingly, he responded 2 days later-asking me to send my resume to himself and and HR representative (who he cc'd) who's helping the team fill the role. He recommended I speak with the HR person in the first instance, so I replied to her with my resume/cover letter and asked when would be a good time to chat. A few days have gone past and I have not yet heard back from her (HR lady).
As of today, I have not yet officially submitted my application online (since it pretty much seems like a resume black hole). Is it advisable that I go ahead and do this? Or should I just continue with the informal application (i.e. email). I'm not sure if it will hurt if I do both. Specifically, if a different team screens the resumes that come in via the online application process, and rejects my resume, what effect would this have if I'm granted an interview via email, etc.?
Always reach out directly via "networking." Unless your resume is steller, I've never found applying online to work (although there was another thread about this that ended up have better results applying online than I have.)
I think that since your resume already presumably made it to HR, just stay on the VP and see what happens. So no, I don't think it's necessary for you to apply online. That said, I don't see any harm coming from it either -- if you have the time and you feel a way about it go for it.
HR typically will inform you if you need to apply online for various reasons. Stick to networking how you are now. I would CALL the HR lady and just shoot her a reminder. They may not be interviewing yet and that is the reason for the delay, calling her will avoid being an email nuisance while also getting a chance to get an update. Leave a voicemail if she does not pickup.
If you have her email address then ping her with a polite note. If she doesn't respond then I would go back to the VP. Most of the online application systems are terrible and your resume will never see the light of day regardless of how stellar it is. Most reputable, read larger, companies use the Taleo/Oracle system which is pretty decent. Almost all of the other application processes are pure shit and probably just get forwarded to a pooled HR account.
I am hunting around for a different position right now and I have had pretty good success with most of my online applications. I haven't tracked it, but I think I have about a 40% application to phone interview success rate. I am very selective with the positions I apply to which is half of the battle. I have some pretty decent F50 experience on my resume and most of my applications have been to local companies which has also helped.
A lot of people will just use the machine gun strategy and apply to as many positions as possible online. They don't take the time to tailor their resume specifically to each job. It's very time consuming, but your success rate will dramatically climb.
Thanks for the advice guys. After my initial post, I wrote a follow-up message to the HR person just asking if she's received my resume (and if she had any feedback).
She responded, saying "Yes, I have it and we are reviewing all the submissions this week. Thank you for your interest."
Any advice on next steps I should take? Her response seemed very generic (hopefully she wasn't offended I took the direct route), and I'm worried that my resume might not see the light of day again. I don't want to get into the wait and see approach with HR, having future emails go unanswered only to get a "Based on your experience, you are not a fit for the role at this time" email a few weeks later.
At the same time, I also don't want to be an "email nuisance" (as yeahright put it). All I really want is ONE interview. Should I reach out to the VP again checking if he received my email and if he had any initial thoughts? It only took one email to get a response from him, and that response came two days later on a Saturday morning (surely, the fact that he took the time to respond on the weekend is a good thing, right?). Let me know what you guys think?
I'm going through a tough period trying to find my next gig, so I apologize in advance if I'm asking too many questions. Thanks in advance!
Website Resume Blackhole? (Originally Posted: 11/07/2010)
For S&T has anyone ever gotten an interview by submitting their resume to the resume drop box on the companies website? I haven't had much luck going that route. In a some what related question are there career fairs Chicago prop shops recruit at other than at universities? I'm two years out of school, so Uni career fairs are problematic.
Thanks monkeysama
dammit....company's
Websites are for the most part what you would call a black hole. Network and get in the hands of a physical person who can pass it along to HR for you.
Got a BX interview via online app
1/3 (3-4 total) of my interviews this season came from pure online, no contacts, no networking.
They weren't IB or S&T though..
Out of curiosity, what types of firms and positions did you get interviews with from applying online?
Vast majority, yes, but it's always worth the effort to take 10 seconds and drop something in.
Have gotten some middle tier consulting (think monitor, oliver wyman, etc) from resume drops. Have also gotten some mm ibd, trading, and bb middle office interviews from online apps/resume drops.
drop resume and then follow up with HR a few days later. Call up the company and ask to speak to someone involved in that recruiting process and then see if they have a few minutes to talk about the program and express your interest and ask how you can get more involved in the process
Well I meant specifically prop trading. I've called some places up after a month and had HR actually get mad at me - apparently they get enough people wanting to work they don't like being drown in phone calls, which is understandable. It sucks.
i got interviews from online
Got an interview with SIG through the website. Pretty sure it's the same with prop as every other industry: they at least glance at the resume but there's a much lower chance of an interview than with resumes received through the other routes.
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