Is it good idea to Ask MD (or VP) for Reference letter - SA2024
Deldeleleleleelelelelleelelleleelleledlelelleldleleleledldlldldleldleldleldldldleldldledledeldeldeldeld
Trending Content - Investment Banking Forum
| +95 | [2026 - October] Unbiased Prestige Rankings | 58 | 31m |
| +88 | Who is the final boss in Houston Energy? (GS, JEFF or EVR) | 23 | 4h |
| +81 | You should probably leave IB | 27 | 7h |
| +46 | Why Do We Turn Comments? | 11 | 2h |
| +43 | Tomorrow Will Be Better | 5 | 4d |
| +41 | Moelis PCA vs Lower tier BB Coverage | 30 | 1d |
| +26 | Lateraling as Analyst | 25 | 1h |
| +26 | Banking (Un)fortunately Still Needs You: My Case for Bankers in the AI Era | 4 | 2h |
| +24 | How much should you ask questions / seek feedback as an intern? | 9 | 14h |
| +24 | UBS IB #24 in US M&A in 2026 | 10 | 11h |
Career Resources
No one reads or cares about reference letters. Even down the line in a background check when you need people to be your "reference" it is always very simply done through HR and a matter of confirming you worked there.
If you are at a BB you should be able to look up people in the team you are applying to. Get coffee or virtual coffee with them and talk about their team. Work your way up to talking to that group's seniors through them. They should be the ones referring you, not your current MD or VP. And it's not really an official "referral" but more that if they like you they will keep an eye out for your resume.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, it seems that reference letters are not typically given much weight in the finance industry. Instead, it's more about the connections and relationships you build. If you're at a BB, you should try to connect with people in the team you're applying to. Grab a coffee or set up a virtual meeting with them to discuss their team. Through these connections, you can work your way up to talking to the senior members of that group. If they like you, they'll likely keep an eye out for your resume. It's not so much an official "referral" but more about having someone in your corner. So, instead of focusing on getting a reference letter from your current MD or VP, try to build relationships within the team you're interested in.
Sources: How Far an MD Recommendation Gets You, Top Tip: Get any MD to read your resume (or anyone to read anything), Advice for summer and return offer rate?, Good MD stories?
Am I the only one who feels AI is overstepping its bounds on WSO? I prefer a real human opinion – not a mishmash of advice gleaned from both American & European posts
Harum illo saepe rerum. Provident aut placeat ullam aliquid est quam. Excepturi earum repudiandae dolores id molestiae voluptates asperiores aut. Pariatur ratione rerum perferendis asperiores et a. Quam nemo aliquam dolorem error dolores quia illum. Saepe culpa inventore et sunt nesciunt nisi inventore repudiandae. Aut aut nobis quis doloribus iusto totam quasi.
Accusamus fuga eaque rerum laborum velit fugiat illum qui. Laudantium quas officiis sit occaecati vitae dolores. Vel quia deserunt totam fugit natus reprehenderit. Itaque consectetur quae doloribus. Corporis est a fuga illum laboriosam. Et quae eos sit ut expedita ratione.
Neque et expedita reiciendis quo id odio qui. Ut suscipit sunt hic. Et aut laboriosam voluptatem et tempore. Quaerat rerum et expedita ea commodi est autem.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...