Where do I go from here...

Hey fellow monkeys,

I'm a junior at a semi target studying finance/economics. I've been recruiting and searching for an internship for this summer. I have had some interviews with BB commercial banking in different groups. I've interviews with some finance development programs as well at non-finance firms. My GPA is less than a 3.0, and im trying to get into a buy side role at a hedge fund/AM. I'm reaching out to alumni and cold emailing companies in big cities. In an interview I always get "you're obviously a smart guy...." but not having a GPA on my resume is a huge roadblock for me. Does anyone have any advice on how to get a seat at the table?

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Best Response

If you've been getting second round interviews, than GPA becomes less important - and your interview skills become more important. How far along are you getting with the interviews you had?

With the goals you have stated in regards to the job you want, your GPA is going to be a major stopper from getting the jobs that you want. What type of BS firms (in respect to tier) are you applying to? And for what role? A lot of people from target schools go to BB IB just to land BS jobs at high reputation funds, so I'd say that would definitely be a longshot.

Networking is definitely your best bet, however it also depends on how you're networking. There are a bunch of threads on this. What about non BB or F500 corp finance? How much have you studied for the interviews? Corporate Finance and BS (depending on position) are hugely different in what you need to know. Are you out of Alumni/people you know?

“I’m not fat. I’m cultivating mass.”
 

I am not out f alumni to contact. There are plenty of people I can email and talk on the phone. After that I will send them my resume. Would meeting alumni for coffee in nearby cities be a good idea? How do I go from informational meeting to getting the actual job?

 

Look at advice on other threads here. While you are on a timeline for a job - most initial coffee talks should be more about high level discussion. "Why did you choose XYZ?" "I want to enter this field, but am having trouble in terms of ____, what would you recommend?" Grabbing a coffee and asking for an interview is not recommended by most, granted you still being in school may allow an alum to broaden the scope of conversation. Interviews/networkings opps. are like dating as many say - don't seem desperate.

“I’m not fat. I’m cultivating mass.”
 

What's your major GPA? Putting that on your resume should get past the doubt, especially if it's really high. Just give them some BS story about how you partied too hard when you were younger.

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there" - Will Rogers
 

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