Getting the 1st Round Interview
Hi guys, I've seen some older threads about this but I wanted to get some more recent and relevant (at least to me) feedback about this topic.
I was wondering how hard it was to get 1st round interviews. I understand that networking is a key aspect of it but to what degree do you need to have to establish a connection with the bankers you network with? Like, do you have to really hit it off for them to push your resume through? I've networked a bit with some BBs but I've only made some shallow-level connections at best with a few people at each bank, nothing too special - mostly just a short phone call. Along with maybe a follow-up email after I apply, is that enough for some consideration? Will going to a target / semi-target / non-target school affect these chances? I'm most interested in hearing about the target school side of this. Also, my resume is very okay at best (GPA too).
Thanks for the help, +1 SB for your thoughts.
The incentive is being a helpful human being.
Most people like to 'pay it forward.' Those analysts/associates/MDs were all kids fresh out of school at some point and can relate to your situation.
Picture this....20 years down the road you receive an email from a 20 year old kid who (hopefully) sends you a respectable email addressing:
Obviously there are tons of people who won't even follow up to a cold email. Personally, I know what it is like to be that 20 year old kid sending the cold email. More importantly, I had first hand experiences in seeing how helpful it was when a MD, etc would take 10 minutes to meet me for coffee or talk on the phone.
Truly, at the bottom of my heart, I hope that one day I can 'pay it forward,' and provide myself as a resource for kids who were in the same situation that I was. This should apply to anybody from Rhodes Scholars to the non-target kid who grinded his ass off.
The best advice that I have ever received on WSO has always been give in a blunt way, so that's what I'm going to do here. To be completely honest, I think you know why recruiting didn't work out, but you're on WSO hoping that someone gives you another reason. You're not getting first round interviews because you didn't put in the work. You didn't network, your GPA is low, you're applying to some of the toughest banks to get in...What you're doing is the equivalent of an out-of-shape 60-year-old waking up one morning, randomly deciding to compete in a triathlon, and then being flabbergasted that he did not finish in the top ten. You say that you want a field that will challenge you, but it seems that just preparing for IB is too challenging to you. You need to regroup and assess whether or not you truly want to work in IB.
My honest advice to you would be to start network now. Heck, don't even finish reading my post. Close out of WSO and start sending out cold emails. Then, work on that GPA. People are going to come on here and talk about how a 3.4 will get you in. BS. Absolute BS. I spent a year at a "no-name" boutique and a top MM. Even at the "no-name" boutique we got kids with 3.8+ GPAs for our SA program...and this was not in NY or anywhere near a major city.
If nothing works out, start reaching out to boutiques. But, seriously dude, you need to put in the work. This isn't like signing up for a class and getting in just because you paid the class fee.