Odd profile story
Hey guys! To keep a long story short, I’m a recent MSc finance graduate (Sep 2019) who realised I want to go into IBD. No experience whatsoever so currently working on my story. My CV is as follows (roughly)
High School in Denmark (Danish Native) Humanities BA at semi-target in London Finance MSc at semi-target in London
Summer Internship in auction houses (New York) Own gallery venture throughout uni FinTech 6 month internship post MSc Graduation (London)
How do I best sell my story? I have a rough idea as of now, and have heard some ideas from friends and family but would greatly appreciate some more input! Does an odd profile like mine usually gain any traction?
if you can sell it you can gain traction. I’ve seen some really weird paths - yours isn’t weird. you have a masters in finance. ultimately it will be hard for us to know since you haven’t really told us a story, just bullets from your background. have you been networking?
Thanks for your reply! I guess my issue is that I don't really have a story, I was pretty much interested in philosophy (which I studied as a BA) and art (which I interned in) but realised from a lot of interaction with people in banking+my own research that it is what really interests me. Loved my MSc but was not able to apply to anything due to a family member dying (why I have nothing IB-related on my CV)
I'm therefore really unsure of how to sell it, as it might come off as me being a person who jumps from one thing to the other... I'm in the UK so don't know how important networking is but I do have a solid personal network with lots of friends in associate positions plus some VPs
Hi man, just think that there's no need to think about "selling" your story, especially if you've truly realised what you want to do (and not just taken this route for clout or because your mates are). In your case, you've realised this is what you want to do, and a description of why and how that happened (perhaps with anecdotal evidence) could make you seem a lot more genuine than other candidates. I'm sure you'll realise this but I've found that interviews are about showing you want to be there and connecting with the interviewer. You should be fine, just think about if this is really what you want to do, and if so show that!
Thank you so much for your reply and kind words! I'm quite new to WSO and so much seems to be about tactics that I kind of doubted the value of being genuine. Will keep what you said in mind throughout the process :)
Are you looking to get into IB in London or Copenhagen? I think it will be tough for you to secure something through the traditional route, in particular given the current market situation. You either need to network heavy or go a less traditional route like TAS -> IB. The FinTech gig might give you a leg-up if you are looking at MO positions where you can utilize some of the technical knowledge/skills from your internship.
I'm looking to break in in London, through off-cycles at boutiques and MM primarily, in which I have a relatively solid network. I'm worried I'll get auto rejected as I've already graduated but I've come across several profiles that got in a year or so after graduation so I assume that's a possibility still? What's your thoughts and experience?
Based on experience, the formal off-cycle internships can be very competitive. I think it will be tough to land something through the formal route, because of your age/education. The off-cycle rotations are usually for undergrad students. You mention a strong network within MM and I certainly agree with you that this is your best shot. Since you've already graduated you need to craft your story to fit why you want to change and smaller shops also care about the "why them" and "why this team". Depending on the role in your former engagement you should have a thoughtful response to all the above, as well as why you did a 180 from FinTech to IB. It's definitely possible to break in, but it won't be a straightforward route.
You should also try your best to continue building a network with former alumni from your school, perhaps other Scandis as there are not that many Danes in London, and hopefully one of them will be able to put your resume in with HR. I'm a strong believer in the strength in weak links and people will go to great lengths to help someone they can see themselves in.
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