Q&A: I made it to London. Non target-> MO -> IB London
Guys, I made it.
I come from an ultra non target in southern Europe and with very bad family history and ADHD problems
Two years ago I was in a middle office role in a European Bank in the most boring desk you could imagine, it was dreadful.
I decided to take a master´s degree in quantitative finance because fuck it, i didn´t know what investment banking was but I loved maths (Univeristy is cosidered as target for UG but semitarget for Master´s)
I did an internship in M&A (corp dev role) for 8 months and got a full time job in a boutique investment bank focused in debt advisory, but i was not happy with this role I wanted more. I started applying in july and i was rejected every single time till i got one interview for a FIG team and i killed it... but after 8th round they decided to go with another candidate.
That did not stop me, i continue applying and getting rejected. So in september I said fuck it and started contacting boutique firms, alumni, reaching out MDs and cold emailing and linkedin messages.
And i got there, one MD was interested and called me for an informal chat, that became a full interview very quickly but I did great and went into 7 more rounds and a modelling test and they gave me the fucking offer.
60K GBP and up to 100% bonus, I can´t belive it guys!! I even got a senior analyst position (2nd year) so I can fast track to asocciate in May 2024.
I am thrilled, I will be doing M&A and debt advisory (all the capital structure not only senior which is great).
This is a message of hope to everyone out there, work on your technicals and be relentless and never stop trying.
Thank you guys, you gave me ambition and resources.
Happy to answer any questions
Cheers!
8 rounds of interviews!!
Also what kind of a firm is it that finally gave you an offer? (Comparable to HL/Baird/WB?)
Industry focused boutique, 15 (MDs ex BB and energy funds).
No near close MM boutiques but winning a lot of mandates (big tickets) in the energy space.
Many thanks!
Since nobody asked (I’m a bit surprised), I thought I’d follow up with a few more:
Also did you refer to a database to search for firms or just casual internet surfing to look for them?
Many thanks in advance :)
Gonna guess Hannam
Following
1) yes, they are happy to sponsor me. A lot of the guys are european so it works for them.2) It did not went very well, a lot of them did not follow up or ghosted me. I think it comes down to luck i guess.3) being a boutique I think the pay is fair, maybe 65k or 70k will be more in line but im happy due to the circumstances. Also bonus is big so I will work my ass off and try to get full bonusThank you for the questions!!
How old are you, were they never concerned with your age? Being you are an AN2
I am 27. No concerns, I dont have any problems being older than my peers. Life is different for everyone else and I never had the guidance
Sounds like Hannam & Partners
Sorry is not. I want to give the name but I dont want to dox my selve
Congrats man, keep up the effort!
Thank you!!!
The great and touching story, mate.
Can I pm you?
Pls, feel free
Nothing to add, just wanted to say congrats and best of luck in your new role :)
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