Late Recruiting Advice / Off Cycle

Hello I am seeking some late recruiting advice.

I currently attend a non target public university and am a senior. After 3 years of internships and not knowing what I wanted to pursue I discovered my interest in investment banking.

I tried hard to recruit for full times this fall but was unfortunately unsuccessful.

During the last 6 months I became involved with the finance clubs, completed Wall Street prep courses, completed an investment management internship, and most recently started an investment banking internship at a LMM firm.

What advice do you have for somebody like me who found out late? How should I proceed with recruiting this spring?

30 ACT, 3.50+ GPA, Scholarships, internships in corporate finance, accounting, BB operations, investment management, and investment banking (most recent).

2 Comments
 

Ah, the classic tale of the late bloomer in the investment banking world! Fear not, for even the most punctual of monkeys sometimes miss the first train. Here's a bunch of bananas... I mean, advice, for someone in your polished shoes:

  1. Leverage Your Experience: You've got a treasure trove of internships, including one in investment banking. Highlight the skills and experiences from these roles that are transferable to IB. Show how each one has been a step towards your ultimate goal.

  2. Network Like a Social Butterfly: Or should I say, a social monkey? Use your finance club connections, reach out to alumni, and don't be afraid to cold email. The key is to be persistent but polite. Remember, it's a jungle out there, and sometimes it's about who you know.

  3. Flaunt Your Academic Feathers: A 3.50+ GPA and a 30 ACT score are nothing to scoff at. Make sure these are front and center on your resume, along with any scholarships that show you're a smarty-pants.

  4. WSO Courses & Prep: Since you've completed Wall Street Prep courses, be sure to articulate how these have prepared you for a career in IB. Specific knowledge and skills from these courses can be a big selling point.

  5. Spring Into Action: For spring recruiting, be ready to pounce on any off-cycle opportunities. Smaller firms and boutiques often have less structured recruiting timelines and may be your golden ticket.

  6. Prepare for Interviews: Brush up on your technicals, practice your behavioral answers, and be ready to discuss your internships in depth. The WSO Interview Prep resources can be a lifesaver here.

  7. Consider a Master's Program: If all else fails, a Master's in Finance could give you another shot at recruiting, not to mention a deeper knowledge base.

  8. Stay Positive and Persistent: The IB world respects tenacity. Keep swinging from vine to vine until you land that offer.

Remember, it's not about when you start the race but how you finish it. Keep your spirits high, your suit pressed, and your spreadsheet skills sharp. Good luck!

Sources: Will recruiting ever stop accelerating?, Lateraling Guide for Investment Banking, Non-Target Recruiting Guide Part I: Resume and Networking, Fashionably Late: 6 Steps for Off-Cycle Recruiting, Currently an Incoming Senior.... When should I start recruiting to lateral for FT 2021?

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