Profile Check: London IB Recruiting

Hi everyone,

I recently graduated from HSG (University of St. Gallen) with grades around the top 5% of my class and have completed two small-cap M&A internships (similar to Carlsquare), in addition to a few other less relevant finance internships.

I'm currently looking for another M&A internship for Q2 2027 and am planning to start a master's degree abroad in August 2027 (targeting the LBS MFA and LSE Msc Fin program).

I was hoping to get some views on how my profile would be perceived in the London market (as a german speaker):

- If I were to complete a MM investment banking / PE internship next and then attend a target master's program, would an EB SA position in London be realistic?

Would appreciate any insights from people who have gone through a similar path.

Thanks!

6,225 WSO Academy Investment Banking Session Reviews: 4.82/5

Class of '25 Nov 2026 Cohort

5.00/5

Investment Banking Career Roadmap (optional)

“My mentor provided valuable guidance in helping me develop a clearer career roadmap, taking the time to understand my background, interests and long-term ambitions. His advice was tailored to my goals, helping me identify potential career paths and the practical steps needed to pursue them. He helped me break down my ambitions into manageable priorities, including the skills and experience I should focus on developing. I particularly appreciated his thoughtful approach, which encouraged me to consider both my immediate next steps and how they could support my longer-term progression. His support gave me greater clarity, confidence and a stronger sense of direction. I would highly recommend his mentoring to anyone looking for personalised guidance in planning their career.”

Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

Class of '26 Nov 2026 Cohort

5.00/5

Investment Banking Short Resume Review / Recap

“My resume review experience with Julian Gropp was exceptional. Even before our session, he carefully reviewed both versions of my resume and provided detailed, personalized feedback. He identified two major areas for improvement: positioning my unique healthcare background as a competitive advantage and quantifying my accomplishments with measurable results. What impressed me most was his attention to detail. He asked 13 thoughtful questions to understand my education, career transition, financial projects, internships, and technical skills before rewriting my resumes. He then created two targeted versions—one for Investment Banking and another for Corporate Finance—while ensuring every accomplishment was accurate and defensible during interviews. One piece of advice that truly stayed with me was, "Lead with finance. Healthcare is your edge, but it does not define you." This completely changed how I think about presenting my professional background. He also helped me identify my strongest experiences, improve my financial project descriptions, and recognize the importance of building a healthcare-focused financial model to demonstrate technical competency. Julian went beyond simply editing my resume. He helped me understand how recruiters evaluate candidates, how to communicate a nontraditional career transition confidently, and how to develop a stronger professional narrative. His guidance was honest, practical, encouraging, and tailored to my goals. I genuinely appreciate the time and effort he invested in helping me become a more competitive finance candidate.”

See All 11,490 WSO Academy Reviews

3 Comments

WSO Monkey Bot

O

4mo

Based on the most helpful WSO content, your profile demonstrates strong academic credentials and relevant experience, which positions you well for London IB recruiting. Here's a breakdown of your situation and prospects:

Academic Background: Graduating in the top 5% of your class at HSG (a well-regarded European business school) is a significant advantage. Targeting master's programs like LBS MFA and LSE MSc Finance further strengthens your academic profile, as these are highly respected in the London market.
Work Experience: Your small-cap M&A internships provide a solid foundation in deal experience. To enhance your profile further:
- Securing an internship at a mid-market (MM) investment bank or private equity (PE) firm would demonstrate progression and exposure to larger, more complex transactions.
- This would also align well with the expectations of elite boutiques (EBs) in London, which value candidates with hands-on deal experience.
Language Skills: Being a German speaker is a valuable asset, especially for firms with a strong presence in the DACH region or those seeking multilingual candidates for cross-border deals.
Realistic Path to EB SA Role:
- Completing a MM IB/PE internship next, followed by a master's at LBS or LSE, would significantly enhance your chances of landing an EB Summer Analyst (SA) position in London.
- Networking will be crucial. Leverage alumni connections from HSG and your future master's program to secure informational interviews and referrals.
- Focus on firms with strong DACH ties (e.g., Lazard, Rothschild, Moelis) where your language skills and regional expertise could be a differentiator.
Additional Tips:
- Prepare thoroughly for technical and behavioral interviews, as EBs often have rigorous selection processes.
- Consider applying to both EBs and BBs (bulge brackets) to maximize your chances, as the London market is highly competitive.

Your profile is already strong, and with the right next steps (MM IB/PE internship and a target master's program), an EB SA position in London is a realistic and achievable goal.

Sources: Profile Evaluation: MSc in Finance at LBS, LSE, Imperial, Said or MIT, London Advice on current situation and transition to IBD/S&T, International Student - Chance of getting an IBD internship in London?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/investment-banking-in-the-uk-an-overview?customgpt=1

Reply

Quote

Report

Other

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Gainone1572

?

4mo

Within reach but won't be easy

Reply

Quote

Report

Other

PE

Associate 1 in PE - LBOs

4mo

Id odio sed eveniet totam sed non. Omnis ea aspernatur et dolorum ipsum aspernatur amet perferendis. Corporis voluptas qui maiores sed sit consequatur dicta. Rem incidunt dolores magni odit nihil. Nemo voluptatem nesciunt soluta et dignissimos exercitationem ut. Vero maxime porro sint cum.

Sint sapiente consequatur optio enim excepturi distinctio facere. Eum veniam recusandae ut doloremque maiores necessitatibus est. Et autem voluptas error ex sunt. Earum sunt nihil dignissimos.

Reply

Quote

Report

Other

Authored by: Certified Private Equity Professional - 1st Year AssociateCertified Private Equity Pro

+170	Analyst: Why is UBS IB doing worse than peers?, UBS CFO: No Comment	29	16h
+160	UBS Tech layoff	52	2d
+146	UBS’s M&A BANKERS ARE DOING TERRIBLY. $200M EXTRA IS BEING CUT	31	1d
+119	Leaked Interview Questions to Recruiting Services	56	12h
+64	How do YOU manage networking requests?	20	12h
+60	Are target prospects getting dumber?	27	1d
+34	MBB Pay Raises	26	2d
+21	Earliest you can get fired	7	12h
+21	US 2027 SA IB worried about background check	7	1h
+20	Career Crossroads	4	7m

1	redever	99.2
2	kanon	99.0
3	BankonBanking	99.0
4	Secyh62	99.0
5	CompBanker	98.9
6	DrApeman	98.9
7	dosk17	98.9
8	Betsy Massar	98.9
9	GameTheory	98.9
10	Kenny_Powers_CFA	98.8

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

Profile Check: London IB Recruiting

Score Breakdown

Feedback

Score Breakdown

Feedback

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

Profile Check: London IB Recruiting

See All Comments - 100% Free

Trending Content - Investment Banking Forum