Need some guidance for a student
Studying finance at a non-target, I feel as if I am already behind the competition. If my chances of breaking into Investment Banking start at 100%, I would say the non-target factor brings me to about a 60% chance. The fact that I know absolutely no one in banking in New York (where I am determined to get an internship and eventually a job,) probably lowers that chance to about 20%, not considering any other factors. While my numbers may not be correct, I know the chance is slim with all other factors aside. I know that my passion for markets, social skills, confidence, and determination will let me dominate any interview. But first, I have to impress someone enough to interview me. That being said, I need contacts. There are not many, if any, reliable contacts from my school working in New York. So I need other sources. Who else can I reach out to, with a chance of getting a reply, other than alumni from my university? Are there people in IBs on this forum that get contacted by random undergraduates hoping for an inside man/woman? How do you respond to them and would it be worth it to try doing that?
I don't mean to be rude or anything, but if you don't break into IB, it won't be because you got to a non-target- it will be because of your inability to be resourceful. There are probably hundreds, if not thousands, of threads on WSO about networking. There are additionally dozens, maybe hundreds, of success stories of non-target kids breaking in. It certainly is possible, but you need to 1). be resourceful and find this information yourself and 2). start networking ASAP.
If you are confident enough to dominate any interview, you should easily be able to get someone to help you get an interview. Instead of posting on WSO, start cold-emailing....
If you want it enough you can do it. However, you are not going to be able to slack off at a random state school, get a 3.0 gpa with no ECs and then just get lucky.
1) Make deans list. Getting a 3.5 at a non target school is honestly ridiculously easy if you don't get blackout drunk during multiple week days and skip classes. Go to every class, don't get B's in nonsense intro classes you can get A's in and etc.
2) Find some ECs. Join a low commitment student finance/investment club so you still have time to focus on the GPA, do some case studies, etc. Case Studies/Case Challenges are awesome because you can put them on your resume but you only have to be occupied with them for two or three weeks.
3) Write a damn good cover letter, make sure your resume is on point, and send that bad boy out to every damn bank you've ever heard off. I'm serious, I'd apply to at least 30 different banks. People underrate online applications. If you send out enough, you will get responses.
Go to linkedin. Search for Investment Bankers who attended your university. There have to be some. Reach out to them directly. Talk to your professors. If you are a good student in finance they will know someone and make an intro. Look at the names of the MDs in the groups you want to join. Email them directly with an aggressive well written email. If you know there name it is easy to figure out the email protocol. If you are sharp, go after it hard you will get a look. Be ready to work your arse off. Late nights, little sleep and no weekends. I am not joking. Monkeys (no pun) can be trained to do this job. Push hard and do not take no for an answer. We are arseholes in IB and like other similarly aggressive....
Thanks, I didn't think that emailing an MD directly was acceptable.
If you are not going to get a look what is there to lose. If you can make a compelling case. Write a GREAT email. Look for MDs from similar non target schools. They will understand the challenge. Mention you are coming from a non-target and relish the opportunity to work in IB for their bank. Good luck
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