Everywhere I see here, it says London recruiting isn’t networking based as opposed to the US.
Was wondering how does FT recruiting work?
Can’t work in the US cause of visa issues (after interviewing) and discovered I qualify to get a high performer or sth visa in London but am not closely familiar with the recruiting.
Any insight will be highly appreciated.
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Interested as well.
Canada screwed me, exploring HPI option.
HPI for the win.
Luck based (really)
Could you elaborate please? Cause entire life is luck based from where you were born.
Very deep insights mate. Obviously I mean there is inherently more noise in the London recruiting process than in the US, you have to take the same steps but the outcome will be much more random and less correlated to effort and skill. More competitive too. Worse comp. Much worse deal overall. C'est la vie.
A big component is luck for sure. However, I say a lot is application based, putting in the numbers and doing interviews and a lot of practise. Technicals are not that hard I would say. Networking helps but also just apply fast and have a good, well written CV so that you can get interviews.
Would a referral from a senior US MD or exec help getting a first round in London?
I cleared US interviews just couldn’t start cause of visa lottery requirement and HR simply ghosted after that.
Great grades and technicals but no European schools so might be at a disadvantage.
No need
Thanks for the input. So basically all application based?
And like a US type resume work or does CV have different styles there?
Quite different, it has some further European flair - alongside with traditional resume content you should input a picture of you as well, in an Italian coastline, holding an espresso and a cigarette
An app a day keeps unemployment away
This doesn’t work in Canada, but glad to see London is meritocratic.
FT hiring is very small (right now at least) so would focus on SAs (can apply in final year) and off cycles
since networking is not a thing in london, networking and getting referrals helps you so much getting a first round (since HR wouldn't expect a candidate work for one), albeit they have to be VP and above.
From my experience, in London, this is what helps: 1) top (5) uni and top course (econ/finance/physics...), 2) having a first-year internship at a no-name boutique or decent buy-side fund, 3), languages, finance society role / leadership, sports team, 4) interesting hobbies & interests (like flying planes). Having a referral will only be useful if you satisfy the above, then you've a really good chance. Referrals help if you actually know the referee or have a long-lasting relationship with them / they hardly work if you network with people for the sake of referrals
Thanks for the input. I already have contacts whom I networked with and keep in contact with. It’s not like randomly approaching new people for referrals. 😂
Diversity based.
Friend of friend secured a strong MM PE internship through GAIN, with the entire process being one screening call.
Another friend was tasked with recruiting 4 placement students, manager requested minimum 75% be female/diversity.
Just my take based on people I've spoken with.
That’s sad. DEI penetrating everywhere like the WEF.
Gets worse. Went to a fair few open days for top 5 finance masters in the UK. More than half are pushing for a 50/50 split in their cohorts starting from next year!
Agree it's needed, but wrong execution.
Advice so far is spot on; make sure you apply directly through company websites rather than LinkedIn. Some recruiters have good roles. Do you already know who to contact?
Thanks for the website/LinkedIn input.
Whom specifically are you supposed to contact?
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