Do other industries look down on IBD experience?

I've done everything this site as well as M&I says to prep my resume for investment banking interviews. With that said, I have successfully gotten an interview at a good 90-95% of the banks I have applied to, whether they be boutiques, mm, or bbs. I have dropped my resume for a few trading and consulting positions, and have gotten rejected to literally every single one. I've asked for feedback a few times and just got "I'm not a good fit". Not that I really care about these positions, but I'm still interested in exploring some backup options.

Is previous IBD experience a turn off to other industries? Or am I doing something wrong?

11 Comments
 

You're doing something wrong. It will be hard to get into trading, but 90% of the time, other industries will love an ex-IBD guy

I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
 

But I'm not seeing the same negative responses in IBD, only non-IBD resume drops. I suppose it could also be that I've applied to very few non-IBD positions, maybe it's just been bad luck thus far.

 
RichardPennybagsDo you use the same spoon for both soup and steak?

Exactly. Put in the effort and tailor your resume to the position to which you are applying.

"There are three ways to make a living in this business: be first, be smarter, or cheat."
 
Best Response
arguewithatreeI've done everything this site as well as M&I says to prep my resume for investment banking interviews. With that said, I have successfully gotten an interview at a good 90-95% of the banks I have applied to, whether they be boutiques, mm, or bbs. I have dropped my resume for a few trading and consulting positions, and have gotten rejected to literally every single one. I've asked for feedback a few times and just got "I'm not a good fit". Not that I really care about these positions, but I'm still interested in exploring some backup options.

Is previous IBD experience a turn off to other industries? Or am I doing something wrong?

Previous IBD experience is not necessarily a turn off. But always cater your resume to the intended audience. Obviously traders and consultants are looking for different sets of skills and personalities. For example, consultants I think would be turned on by seeing project based experiences that involved a fair amount of teamwork. Traders would be turned on by anything market related as opposed to transaction based. If your resume only reads investment banker than obviously you are not a good fit in any other position except for IB.

 

I don't think H&R Block will turn down an ex-banker for their Tax Audit Summer Associate position

 

Fair enough. So no reason to take off previous IB internships, but to just reword things anything? I was worried that "banker" just screamed out asshole to consultants and incompetent to traders.

 
arguewithatreeFair enough. So no reason to take off previous IB internships, but to just reword things anything? I was worried that "banker" just screamed out asshole to consultants and incompetent to traders.

Thinking way too much. The only reason you've been dinged is because your resume looks like it went to the wrong department or firm. Rewording your IB internships is hard. I would show interest in consulting or trading in either clubs-activities-school projects etc.

 

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