No Super "Solid" Connections - Am I F**ed for IBD SA?

Hey guys,

I'm a junior at a target/semi-target school for BB's. I started out as a Computer Science major, and switched majors to Finance (kept CS as a minor). As my educational background suggests, my internship experience has been Software Engineering -> Business Development, aka no investment/valuation/finance work experience.

I do, however, have a lot of budgeting and modeling experience from my Business Dev. gig last summer. I am also taking a lot of advanced (read: graduate school level) finance courses at school, as well as participating in a ton of finance oriented clubs.

My problem is most of my connections are not out-of-this-world amazing. I meet them or I cold-email them, I call them up, we have a good talk for 15-30 minutes, and I ask for contacts/referrals. I've done this for dozens and dozens of bankers, and had great conversations with them! But I don't feel that I've found anyone that I had a REAL instant connection with.

Am I just screwed for the upcoming SA recruiting season?

4 Comments
 

So at the end of the conversation, do you get what you want or not? for instance, the referrals?

"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
 

Yes. Don't get me wrong, the conversations weren't godawful or anything. They were pretty great, and generally they agree to put me in contact with their colleagues, take a look at my resume, or give me tips about the recruiting processes at their firm.

What I mean is I don't get anyone that's overly enthusiastic and offering (without me asking) to push my resume to their boss, etc.. that sort of thing.

 

Don't expect too much. The short-term goal of networking is to get that interview. If you can get the interview, THAT'S IT!

"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
 

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