How Difficult is FT Recruiting?
I have an offer from a solid MM firm for SA 26, but I really want open doors for great buyside options, which I think may be a bit limited from the one I'm signed with. It feels like most BB's are either done or close to finishing up at this stage for summer 26, so I think to change platform I'd have to wait for FT recruiting (or lateral + do on cycle as an2 and stay 3 yrs in ib).
So my question is, assuming I put in the effort and secure a return offer, how difficult is FT recruiting if I were trying to go up into mid/high BB or an EB? Of course market conditions are gonna affect outcomes, but I'm curious to hear insights from those who have placed or at least attempted in the past to make the switch.
I did it. It’s difficult, but the difficulty stems more from getting in the room than doing the interview. Your #1 priority (as I’m sure you know), is getting the return offer from the firm you’ll be interning with. After that, keep your GPA as high as humanly possible— pretend you won’t graduate without a 3.8. Most importantly, KEEP MAKING CONNECTIONS. Make it a goal to know a few MDs/VPs in IB at every single bank that you’d be interested in working at and don’t hesitate to reach out to people who are not in IB, everyone is likely one semi-close friend removed if they are in finance. Let’s say you have 600 LinkedIn connections now, shoot to double it with people you’ve actually spoken to. It’ll be time to celebrate during spring break senior year, not now. You got this!
Thanks so much for the advice and will definitely keep that in mind. So would you suggest that I keep networking even at this current time, or should I restart networking sometime closer to the internship start date to be in the radar for when FT recruitment officially kicks off?
Glad to see it worked out for you!
With alumni I think anytime is a good time, with non-alumni it may be a better idea to wait till next year. I didn't do IB my junior summer, but ended up connecting with an alum that wasn't in IB that took a liking to me late junior year and out of nowhere suggested I reach out to his friend who he had already spoken to me about and that led to my interview. The basis of my advice is cast a wide net, because at a glance I had little in common with the guy who helped me out, he just did for whatever reason, and you don't know when that'll happen for you.
Good to know and thanks again. Kinda nuts that you landed IB FT without a junior SA lol
I want to emphasize to you that NOBODY HAS ANY EXPERIENCE. A 10 week internship is nothing in the grand scheme of things, especially when the first few weeks are just training.
Lol that's absolutely true
I'm currently a junior looking to do FT 2025. Can I PM you?
can i pm
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