Junior Recruiting Help
I'm a junior at a target looking to break into IB my gpa is pretty mediocre (3.3) but i've got a finance related major. I have interned at a PWM firm, boutique ib and political think tank. I am involved extracurricular on campus and have a number of leadership roles within various organizations. The real weak spot on my resume is gpa. I am wondering how to deal with having a low gpa both in interviews as well as in trying get first round interviews? Will recruiters hold it against me? Also are there any recommendations as far as firms that generally don't take gpa into account heavily or at all?
Your best bet is to start networking, starting today. When I was reviewing resumes, the first thing I did was cut all the resumes with low GPAs UNLESS:
Really compelling previous experience, which really only meant a previous stint in IB or something related at a reputable firm (for example, a PE internship at a solid firm). Unfortunately (for you), there's a lot of PWM internships to go around, so this alone will not set you apart.
Difficult major - I gave some breaks to the physics/engineering/math guys if they looked like they were interested in finance (e.g., also was VP or the IB club or something). From your post, I'm assuming you're not a finance/physics double major.
A senior banker told me to make sure this person was "on our radar" - not much thinking I had to do here. You should note that this wasn't always an MD pulling for a family friend/client's kid. Sometimes it was just a student who reached out to an MD alum and made a good impression (see #4 below).
They networked and made a good impression - I would do my best to pull them in (I'd rather interview someone with a 3.3 GPA and solid experience and had already made a good impression during networking rather than someone with a 3.7, solid experience, but had made no effort to reach out). So this is your best bet, and generally speaking, it is the best bet for anyone wishing to maximize their shot at getting an interview.
Thank you for the response. I have gotten the information of a number of alumni who work at firms I am interested in. I actually have an offer to return to the boutique I was at but I am looking to try and go to a larger firm. I have set up a number of coffee chats to meet with alums in NY (for which I need to travel). As far as networking, should I be focused on speaking directly with recruiters or does meeting people who just generally work at the firm also carry weight? Although I always appreciate meeting new people and learning of their experience, I want to try and allocate my time in the direction of people who can help me with recruiting.
Praesentium magni cupiditate quo. Recusandae tenetur eius facere dolores. Enim corrupti debitis eum id id dolore tempore. Saepe omnis occaecati blanditiis. Eos et neque tempore rem. Ullam et laudantium aut molestiae. Similique fuga quo accusamus reiciendis.
Sint sint magni suscipit voluptatem maiores nesciunt dolor. Iusto perspiciatis repudiandae dignissimos suscipit enim beatae libero non.
Recusandae quia voluptas quibusdam veritatis odio aut consequatur sed. Corporis quod et ut ducimus similique dolorem dolores. Voluptate et ut et eveniet beatae dolorum. Ullam nihil excepturi quae.
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...