How many analysts do you need to vouch for you to get a 1st round

Have seen on this forum that one genuine connection from a first year analyst is enough for a non-target to get screened by a first rounder but heard conflicting statements from analysts at EBs and BBs that you need a VP+ to go to bat for non-targets to get an interview.

Anyone with expereince going through networking or internal screening might weigh in on?

32 Comments
 

There's no set answer to this. I've networked with a Director at a boutique and got interviews which I smashed and got the offer but I've also networked with a very senior MD at a US BB who specifically said he'll push my CV forward and never got a 1st round. My lucky break with a BB came without any form of networking so it really depends.

Laborare Pugnare Parati Sumus
 

Analyst 1 in IB - Gen

Think he BS’d you. Don’t believe you wouldn’t have an interview if an MD pushed for you

That's how it seems yes, although he had absolutely no reason to BS me. I was just a semi-target kid with a couple of internships and he was a senior MD, could have said anything to avoid my emails, be vague when it came to referring me or just say 'go f yourself kid, you're not cut out for BB banking'. I think it was just the fact that I was in the very bottom of his priority list or maybe stronger referrals threw me out... guess we'll never know

Laborare Pugnare Parati Sumus
 

There is no way to answer this. It is extremely dependent on a multitude of factors outside of your control. The reality is that recruiting is kind of a crapshoot and there is a large element of luck at play. That's why it's so important to cast a wide net and talk to as many bankers as possible per bank and as many banks as possible to maximize your odds. 

 

At my top EB, if you go to a target, you only need 1, maybe 2 people to vouch. If you go to a semi-target (2-4), if you go to a non-target, (4-6+). # of people who need to record in our internal tracker that they spoke to you and that they liked you. If even one person gives you a bad score, then you probably won't get an interview.

If you actually know a senior person well, you will auto get one, but haven't seen this happen for anyone who isn't a close friend or family friend' kid. The cold call unfortunately isn't long enough to guarantee it.

 

Seems like EB's are largely networking/referral based for 1st rounds, but what about for BB's? I heard networking means less and is harder to know forsure?

 

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