Non-Target Bankers
Hello all,
I am new to this space, I just want to get a feel for how many are like me here. How many members come from a non-target school that have made it to an analyst, or even internship at a BB. It seems like every time I apply, there’s a lingering thought that they aren’t looking for kids coming from a state school (top ranked or not). Even though, I have a ton of work experience and internships in the past. As a new member, I’m just trying to get a convo going to see how people are here. Would love to meet/chat with people!
Thx
Am a non-target kid from a very non-target state school at a BB. Just keep working at it, you'll make it. It is not easy, but it is very doable if you stay persistent.
Awesome. Thanks for the input. I’m currently waiting on a reply back from JPM, I believe I did really well on the hirevue and from what I can tell, just as good on the pyrametrix. An MD at JPM viewed my linkedin last week so I’m not sure what that will translate too, but I’m crossing fingers.
Awesome. Thanks for the input. I’m currently waiting on a reply back from JPM, I believe I did really well on the hirevue and from what I can tell, just as good on the pyrametrix. An MD at JPM viewed my linkedin last week so I’m not sure what that will translate too, but I’m crossing fingers.
Be sharp on technicals, understand the market, and be personable. The non-target vs target designation gets overblown on this forum.
Be sharp on technicals, understand the market, and be personable. The non-target vs target designation gets overblown on this forum.
Source: Non-target heading to a BB.
Definitely non-target that got a late start here. Tbh I think it’s about depth of application coverage. I know everyone wants to start out at an EB/BB, but it’s good to CYA and apply to a lot of firms that aren’t necessarily your first choice. Worst case scenario is that you end up practicing your networking/interviewing/technicals skills for future opps.
What is CYA ? I haven’t heard this one before haha
What is CYA ? I haven’t heard this one before haha
cover your ass
Just accepted an offer in PWM at a BB (think GS or JPM). It definitely is possible to break in from a non-target just requires lots of time and effort, more so than someone similar to you at a target school. Two major points of advice I have regarding your question relate to leveraging your network/directly speaking to people and "settling" for the less glamourous roles at a BB.
The first difference-maker for me wasn't my qualifications, GPA, or other skills (you already have to have those down to be competitive with other students, especially those from top schools) it was the fact that I cold-called and leveraged my alumni base at my school, (even though it was not that extensive), exhaustedly. You need to seek out and set up meetings with professionals in your target industry within Finance and at the type of BB's you want to work at. You likely already have the "right GPA" and other skills but dropping your resume and application into the bin won't help you set yourself apart, personal interactions will.
I would say the second big thing you have to accept is that due to the limited nature of spots available in IB, S&T, and AM to some degree at BB's, based on the numbers those "sexier" roles are already hard enough for top-school applicants to enter, let alone ones like us who went to non-targets. In the grand scheme of things if you are able to get any role at a BB, and it's something you enjoy and places you on a career path you like or presents you the optionality to move somewhere else, you're killing it. It's very easy to compare oneself against the top applicants and the "best" roles, but there is nothing wrong with going for a role in PWM, Operations, Treasury, etc.
I found in my interactions with other candidates during my brief foray into IB and AM recruiting that the main difference between myself and the competition was the brand name, or lack thereof, on each of our respective resumes. Do your time in a role in a BB that you can spin off into a strong story and then attempt an MBA if you are still passionate about getting into a different line of business. You'll have the brand recognition of the firm you worked with and soon after, the school, and your doors will be a lot more open than they feel they are now. At least that's my plan lol.
Keep up the effort and work intelligently and I have no doubt you'll get to a good spot. Best of luck!
Congrats g
Thanks man, here's hoping my plan works long-term.
I’ll prob get monkey shit for it but if you’re diversity at a non target, you automatically get considered as a semi target. The majority of non targets at BB will be diversity. Take advantage of things like SEO, ALPFA, and all the diversity events banks offer. Also IB is the hardest front office role to land. If you target S&T, PWM, ER, AM, etc. it will be a lot easier too.
Oh man, the funny part is I’m middle eastern but I’m technically white by law so this ones tricky. I can just put other in most cases..
Does it also applies for the UK also
So diversity at a semi target is a target lmfao?
Non target non diversity at a state school and will be in a BB IB SA next summer. Know 3 other kids from my school in the same position. If you're diversity, non target is not a roadblock whatsoever. The difficulty of recruiting from easiest to hardest is probably: target non diversity> non target diversity> target non diversity> non target non diversity
Does it also applies for the UK also
I would encourage you to try aiming for Commercial Banking or Corporate Banking (Corp Banking will be more of a stretch) and then trying to move to IB either internally or externally.
I went to a super non-target ranked #250-300 USNews. I didn’t even know what banking was while I was in school. I ended up networking my senior year and got a Commercial Banking role at a BB regional office since one of their interns didn’t accept the return offer. They needed to fill a spot, I had a non-related finance internship and I got the offer.
After 2 years, I had opportunities to move to IB internally and externally (at non-BB’s). I switched to corporate banking instead. My point is that it’s doable from a non-target, but the path is going to be harder depending on how non-target your school actually is and how good/bad you are at networking.
I am currently a Senior analyst in commercial banking (equipment finance), been here only 6 months and in my review my boss said he wants to move me into the PM role. Is it hard to move to Corporate or IB from this point? Also any tips, I was planning on waiting until i have been here at least a full year to do so.
Not BB, but close RBC/WF type, but went to a non target and did not know I wanted to do IB until July. Had one finance internship and one shitty school club on resume at an SEC school. As long as you grind and are personable you can get something. I sent out an absurd amount of emails and talked to a bunch of people, but did not even end up using the network to get the internship, but really helped learning how to talk to bankers. The most underrated and important thing to me was learning how to ask good questions I would say.
I go to a semi which send a good amount to BBs but nobody to EBs. Managed to land an EB by pure luck. Met an MD who was able to get me an interview. It was pure luck that I met him.
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You have been doxxed
Good looks, I was able to doxx you in like two minutes. Be careful buccaroo!
No one from a non target has ever made it to banking
BB's are probably not that easy to get in, especially when it comes to IB.
But never give up and keep interviewing.
I went to a non target as well. Didn't know about Spring Weeks or anything like that. Did a lot of Internships and finally got an offer and will be joining FT Partners full time. There is a lot of hate against those places, but I am sure that it is possible to lateral to a good bank from there. Sometimes you don't get the direct route, but you can always find a way if you really want it.
Non diversity, non target SEC school. At GS/MS/JPM. It is possible!
Super non-target, started as a pre-med, terrible internships now in a tech group.
It's possible just be a good/personable person, know your stuff, and work hard to get what you want.
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