When you recruit for IB you need to be a target. More so when it comes to PE recruiting. Had no idea that GPA and school brand matter at this point. This is absolutely absurd. Even If someone did a hell of a job, s/he might not even get an interview because not meeting the GPA cut off line. For someone 3-5 years out of school.
The whole IB + PE scene is fucked up.
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Agreed, but that's just how it is. I'm only targeting MM/LMM funds because of this reason. My GPA in college was like a 3.5 and I went to a nontarget so double fucked. It is what it is...
3.5 in stem or no? I’m scared for my 3.55 gpa but I am also in Industrial engineering so idk
Quant. Finance and Accounting Double Major - so not really...
OP here. Same. I was a double major with math in it, 3.5 and non-target as well. I did go to a target MSF program but I doubt if that helps. LMM seems to be hit or miss and comp seems to be low? What are your strategies my friend?
The employment market is a market just like many others.
If you can get ten candidates with a 4.0GPA, why would you want to interview the ones with 3.5? They all cost the same money.
There is a chance that one candidate with a 3.5 is a total rainmaker and all they need is a chance. But, as often the case in corporate environments, you have to justify your choice also.
honestly the 4.0 gpa can process work / do execution but will most likely be terrible at relationship management. problem with recruiting is process work comes first in your career so the 4.0 is good at that. there should be an entirely separate recruiting pipeline for more senior people focusing on emotional intelligence instead
There is. Post MBA recruiting
For junior associates, being able to process is much more important
i mean like VP and above. that's where responsibility noticeably shifts from processing to bringing in business
Not completely true. GPA really only matters for on-cycle, which happens so early that candidates really don't have much real experience on the job and haven't proven themselves yet.
Analysts who excels at the job will easily be able to get referrals down the line and either get lateral spots or an offer if someone drops out or additional headcount opens up. Have seen countless analysts who struck out during on-cycle get offers from BX, Carlyle, Warburg and Apollo.
It took me a long time to make peace with it, but at a certain point you just have to accept that it is what it is and not let it stop you in your tracks.
There are always exceptions to the rule, but it is largely a system that plays into candidates that are plugged in at a very early age. I'm comfortable enough admitting that I was so naive I truly did not think that GPA mattered at any point after college, and that if you worked hard enough you could get an opportunity anywhere. I didn't realize that my college choice could limit where I'd get those opportunities. When I got that dose of reality at 22, I would have done anything to relive the past and was upset that no one in my life sat me down and explained everything when I was 17. In fairness, it shouldn't have been so surprising and I probably knew better, but I could never be bothered with school or anything that didn't involve sports. Also, when your father is a sheet metal worker and your mother is a pre-school teacher, how the fuck could I have expected them to give me any guidance about banking or private equity recruiting.
For better or for worse, there is basic logic to the system as others have pointed out. There are only so many hours in the day and a 4.0-ivy candidate will always be easier to justify than a 3.0-nontarget. Does that mean they will always be better at the job? of course not, but you can't resent organizations for taking that approach, especially large "elite" organizations.
There are exceptions to the rule. You'll have to go through the back door, side door, or grapple down from the goddamn skylight, but it's possible none the less. The hardest part is getting past the initial screens, but once you're in the interview room you truly have just as good of a chance as the next person. This is your opportunity to show that you're not just carefully picked words on a paper, but that you have an interesting story, an unquestionable desire and conviction to get the job, and that you'll run through a wall for your bosses/team.
I could ramble on but, as a late bloomer myself, I strongly identify with the sentiment of the original post and don't want folks that may feel the same way to dwell on it. Unfortunately, I don't see it changing, but no reason to throw in the towel.
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