Is it actually true that networking in Europe barely matters for IB recruiting compared to the US?
I keep hearing that in Europe the process is mostly CV, target schools, and internships — and networking rarely changes outcomes.
Would love to hear honest experiences from people recruiting in London / Frankfurt / Paris / Zurich.
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Barely matters in the sense that it doesn’t move the needle nearly as much in Europe (at least the UK) vs the US. With most big platforms, the early process is run by HR and doesn’t flow through ANs in the same way that US recruiting does.
Granted, this probably doesn’t hold true for smaller boutiques and anyway, if you somehow get an MD to vouch for you I expect that’ll carry weight regardless of what region you’re in.
depends on firm but doesn't move the needle for most. chatting HR sometimes doesn't even move the needle because they use 3rd party HH/recruiter firms
if anyone has any insight into Paris, would appreciate it. I hear the Lazards, Rothschilds etc. you need pretty solid networking if anyone is to help you but for the American banks you don't really need to do any networking. Not sure if this is true
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