12 Comments
 

Start targeting boutiques/regional banks that don't have formal recruiting processes. Maybe a small, local shop with a dozen or so folks. Those may be willing to take more of a chance than others. Staying positive is the best advice I can give.

 

Agree with INR.

Although, without internships, you're going to have a hard enough time finding ANY job. Hope you were an athlete, have super volunteer work, or paid your own way through school by working full-time at a shit job.

I'll do what I can to help ya'll. But, the game's out there, and it's play or get played.
 
BTbankerThese threads just validate the importance of target schools.

or the importance of work experience you mean?

a non-target with SA experience vs a target with no experience? and same everything else.

to the OP: I would advise you consider BO/MO roles and transition once your foot is in the door. Very difficult with no experience though to even get those... maybe check out a staffing firm for a contract position to also get your foot in the door. Plenty of those.

Also, yes boutiques will hire an intern to FT, why would they hire you as an intern if they did not have interest in you to begin with...

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 
yeahright
BTbankerThese threads just validate the importance of target schools.

or the importance of work experience you mean?

a non-target with SA experience vs a target with no experience? and same everything else.

to the OP: I would advise you consider BO/MO roles and transition once your foot is in the door. Very difficult with no experience though to even get those... maybe check out a staffing firm for a contract position to also get your foot in the door. Plenty of those.

Also, yes boutiques will hire an intern to FT, why would they hire you as an intern if they did not have interest in you to begin with...

Well it's mainly your school that opens doors for internships unless you have connections. I got IB internships before the junior SA soley from alumni. Luck? Networking? Nah, it's all attributed to my school name.
 

Thanks for the advice guys. What are the chances that I would get a full time offer from a boutique bank if I were willing to do an internship there for a couple months? or do boutique banks usually not extend FT offers to interns?

 
Best Response
seanhung14982Thanks for the advice guys. What are the chances that I would get a full time offer from a boutique bank if I were willing to do an internship there for a couple months? or do boutique banks usually not extend FT offers to interns?

The chances of getting into an intern-to-hire program, for you, are pretty f'ing low. The chances of you getting an internship at a boutique are as good as anyone else's. I suggest you start looking for unpaid internships and working to make sure you gain important skills and experience while there (modeling, working with powerpoint on pitchbooks or client presentations, research, etc.). Network as much as possible by approaching people staying in contact with them. You've got a long bit of work ahead of you, but with some appropriate planning and footwork, you should be able to make it into a boutique.

in it 2 win it
 

My resume is pretty much my GPA's, relevant courses, some extra curricular activities and honor societies.. nothing too impressive.

And, seeing as my school doesn't really have too much alumni representation in IB - I've chosen to target extremely small boutique sized banks in my area.

Is there anything I can do to make myself appeal to smaller boutique banks?

 
seanhung14982Is there anything I can do to make myself appeal to smaller boutique banks?

Start with cold call/email to someone you think A) would listen, B) would care, C) is at a high enough rank to have some say in taking on an intern. Make sure to express genuine interest, tell them how you'll add value, and why you want to be with them as opposed to any other boutique in your area.

I'll do what I can to help ya'll. But, the game's out there, and it's play or get played.
 

Aut autem alias voluptatem dolor. Eum nihil voluptatum est sed quaerat necessitatibus ut. Esse quaerat aspernatur voluptas voluptas quae et aliquam magni. Provident voluptas inventore ad quis. Consequatur repellat rerum iure libero aut quia. Minus voluptate neque omnis soluta officiis voluptatem.

Dicta consequuntur dolor in rerum corrupti dolorum. Ab non aut amet unde quo ea quos. Ut molestias et iure facere voluptatibus sit. Similique labore ab ipsum ullam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”