How can I improve my resume to break top (IB,PE,HF)
Context:
I'm a Freshman studying Math Econ in a semi-target school (Penn).
My stats so far:
1) In the top finance club at my school
2) I'm the president of a medium sized volunteering club (raised a few thousand and leading a weekly volunteering program)
3) Doing research (data analytics side + Business psychology) under two prominent professors
4) Currently have a 4.0 GPA with a decently rigorous Freshman Fall schedule.
I also currently have a freshman summer internship lined up (not a massive firm–pharmaceutical consulting).
That being said, I heard recruiting in the business world is quite cut-throat so I want to be as ready as I possibly can. I also want to have an edge over other applicants coming from higher targets (Harvard). How can I improve my resume? Are there any other cool opportunities I should apply for/pursue? Should I drop any of my activities? Would it be harder for me to recruit as an international student?
Thanks for the help!
FatChonkeyMonkey, way too quiet in here. What about these resources:
More suggestions...
Hope that helps.
The best advice would be to stop being such a hardo and have a personality. Every interview candidate checks the box for technicals and pedigree. Make yourself stand out.
I'm already spending a good amount of my free time pledging a fraternity and working on projects I'm passionate about (relating to the community service club). Why does being a hard and having a personality have to be mutually exclusive?
It definitely doesn't have to be, it is just very often that the hardos make their finance aspirations their entire personality, probably because 1) the time and focus needed to achieve such levels of hardo-ness overwhelm any personality or passions they might have had, and 2) they aspire to be bobby axelrod or steve schwarzman so badly that it becomes the only thing they value - and who we are and what our traits are broadly stem from what we value, ergo, being a hardo is all they are about, and they look down on anything and everything outside of recruiting for "the path".
Now to the real stuff - you are crushing it (Penn state or UPenn?), but that does not guarantee good placement. I would focus most importantly on understanding what actual type of work different finance professions offer, and then learning as much about it as possible. So often there are candidates who are obsessed with check marks on the resume and completing "the path" that they miss the bigger picture. Know what the jobs entail, learn about the industry so you can speak about it intelligently and not just bull shit textbook answers, and network whilst doing so, so you can build relationships. Being personable and genuine is more important than a 3.7 vs. 4.0, and the sad fact is most kids aren't genuine when it comes to finance because of misconceptions, pressure to follow the 2+2 path, etc.
Learn about the industry, find what you love, and be personable so you can have a genuine and intelligent discussion about it, and you will be set - if you have the base down (basic understanding of corporate finance + decent grades), you will land the internships you need and end up in the right places with all of that.
Thank you so much for the thoughtful answer. I definitely have a lot to learn over the next 2-3 years, but I'm very excited about entering this world.
You're fucked bro. I'd say start looking at Big 4 Accounting/Audit as realistic landing spots.
Ullam numquam exercitationem ea ea rem et. Aut nobis deserunt et et maxime repellat. Quia eum sed praesentium modi dolorum sint sit. Blanditiis et et rem dolor. Qui omnis hic eum aut ut commodi. Quaerat voluptate ut et occaecati nesciunt id ducimus. Similique ut deserunt modi facere rerum perferendis.
Aut possimus ut iure accusamus assumenda. Assumenda optio quia quam accusantium suscipit quae. Cum est consequatur sed nemo repudiandae eius reprehenderit. Vero assumenda provident qui molestiae qui dolores laudantium. Dolores beatae illo quae voluptatem eum est ullam aut. Rerum voluptate qui qui eum nemo ad voluptas dignissimos.
Corrupti nisi vel in quo. Occaecati occaecati eos dolorem saepe. Ut adipisci dolorum omnis voluptatem iusto est.
Sed modi tenetur corporis dolor. Voluptatibus omnis omnis commodi officia dicta enim officiis. Voluptatem ipsa animi necessitatibus tempore aut labore distinctio nam.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...