Q&A: Non-Target Hardess - beat all odds, made it to IB and PE

WFH during COVID-19 has opened up some free time to take any questions. Ask away- about IB recruiting, PE recruiting, breaking from non-target to Bulge Bracket. Shoot away!

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Rejecting non-banking offers at prestigious financial institutions without having a secured job in IB yet. Was a hard decision to make but I don't regret it a bit because I knew my self worth. Recruiting wise, it was challenging convincing people with a different background that my accounting degree was an asset and an advantage.

 

Disclaimer I am currently a 2nd yr analyst, with a PE job lined up for next year so I haven't worked in PE yet. HOWEVER, from my experiences from recruiting and chatting with PE folks, I think that most people focus on mega funds and forget how many more more middle market successful PE shops are out there. There's an underestimation of the great culture and great results those funds achieve and I personally believe there's more learning and growth in those places. I'm still defining my career as I grow professionally and personally so PE is my next career destination (will determine it then if it is my final one).

 

Every networking chat was tailored specifically to the person I’d talk to. I’d look them up in LinkedIn (professional stalking), look up their firm and prepare list of questions ahead. Questions vary from very specific about their career choices, how they got to where they are to general industry questions and getting their thoughts on current events. I’d also share my story, show my determination to succeed and ask for advice.

 

Tips on getting into IB internships from non-targets with weak alumni

 

Considering how early PE recruiting is now, do you think it is valuable to start networking and reaching out to PE associates before you start FT (so between your SA and FT start date) or is that bad optics to them; indicating to them that you want to exit PE before you even started FT. TIA!

 

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