Investment Banking FT recruiting
I'm currently a senior at a non-target school and seeking advice on networking. I have completed internships in asset management and am transitioning to commercial banking at a BB. Despite reaching out to my alumni network and sending numerous cold emails, I've had little success. I've tried finding people on LinkedIn whose career paths interest me, but often I either get their emails wrong or receive no responses. I would greatly appreciate any advice on how to maximize my opportunities. I'm aiming to network over the summer at my bank to secure a full-time position in investment banking, but the competitive environment is challenging. I've also considered signing up for the WSO mentorship program to enhance my networking. What else could I do, or am I doing something wrong?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some strategic steps you can take to enhance your networking efforts and increase your chances of securing a full-time position in investment banking:
Refine Your Approach to Cold Emails: Ensure that your emails are concise, personalized, and professional. Mention specific details about the person's career path that intrigue you and how it aligns with your goals. This shows genuine interest and increases the likelihood of a response.
Utilize the WSO Mentorship Program: Signing up for the WSO mentorship program is a great idea. It can provide you with direct access to industry professionals who can offer valuable insights and potentially open doors for you.
Attend Industry-Specific Events: Whether virtual or in-person, attending industry events such as conferences, seminars, or even informal meet-ups can be a great way to meet new people. Make sure to follow up with the contacts you make.
Leverage LinkedIn Effectively: Instead of guessing emails, use LinkedIn's messaging feature to reach out to professionals. Also, consider investing in LinkedIn Premium for better networking capabilities, such as InMail, which allows you to contact anyone on LinkedIn directly.
Engage in Relevant Groups and Discussions: Join and actively participate in finance-related groups both on LinkedIn and within the WSO community. This visibility can help you make connections.
Follow Up Persistently: If you don’t hear back after your initial contact, it’s acceptable to send a polite follow-up email. Sometimes, emails do get missed or overlooked due to busy schedules.
Seek Feedback on Your Approach: Sometimes, it helps to have a mentor or peer review your networking strategy and communication style. They might provide insights into areas for improvement that you hadn’t considered.
Expand Your Networking Scope: Don't limit your networking to alumni or individuals in investment banking only. Connect with professionals in related fields like equity research, corporate finance, or even areas within your current internship at the commercial bank.
By implementing these strategies, you should be able to enhance your networking efforts and improve your chances of breaking into investment banking. Remember, persistence and professionalism are key in networking.
Sources: Networking 101 – 8 tips from a “non-target” school student, Some Thoughts on Networking, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/job-search/my-2-cents-on-sa-recruiting-from-a-non-target-background?customgpt=1, How to Network and Tips on Networking
It looks like you are at JPM MMBSI. I think you should consider getting an MBA. MMBSI is not a bad gig, but there are also target school kids that use that internship to leverage a full time investment banking offer. Not saying its not possible, just saying that being in commercial banking isn't the end of the world. You should enjoy your career, and try to get JPM to sponsor your MBA.
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