Russian in London IBD
Greetings everyone
I’m currently trying to land a solid IBD role in London, particularly targeting Analyst 2-3. I'm Russian residing outside the country and need Visa sponsorship in the UK.
I have a MSc in Finance at a reputable university in the UK (think Warwick, St. Andrews, Cass) and over 2 years at solid boutique firms in Moscow, where I’ve gained full-immersion experience on sell-side M&A with several completed deals.
Based on advice of my WSO mentor I’m actively involved in networking and reached hundreds of people from numerous firms via LinkedIn. So far, the conversion is close to zero, with only 4-5 quick coffee chats over 2 months. Most of the people don’t even accept my requests.
Is there something missing in my networking strategy, or I just don’t have enough fancy credentials for London IBD?
Happy to hear any advice or suggestions. Cheers
Depends what companies you worked for. A lot of bulge brackets carried across their Moscow teams to London and integrated them into the likes of M&A already. Try to reach out to some of those people as they will relate to you.
I would say if your prior experience isn’t strong you will really struggle in this market. I would consider Dubai if I were you. There’s a growing Russian community there and probably more companies are hiring than in London due to them still having loads of cash. London is tough as you’re competing with the crème de la crème of Europe in this space (for now anyway). There’s been loads of layoffs and a lot of people are in the market as well, a lot of them not needing a visa.
Best of luck!
Yep I think not being in London or another major EU hub might be an issue for networking but your 4-5 coffee chats in 2 months is not that bad actually. Problem is the state of the market at this point, though things seem to be bit more positive lately and going towards '24. Don't give up on this, not sure how you go about networking but maybe try to be more targeted in terms of who you reach out to increase conversion and speak with recruiters too. Plenty of junior talent available on the local market now so you have to fight this somehow. From my experience, those who do not break in to the industry are usually those who give up for some reason so again, just keep going and be smart about it.
Hey there,
First off, kudos to you for your determination and efforts in networking. It's not an easy task, especially when you're trying to break into the London IBD scene from outside the country.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, it seems like you're doing a lot of things right. You have a solid educational background and relevant work experience, which are both key. However, networking can often be a numbers game, and it can take reaching out to a lot of people before you start seeing results.
Here are a few suggestions that might help improve your networking strategy:
Personalize your messages: When reaching out to people on LinkedIn, make sure your messages are personalized and show that you've done your research about the person and the firm they work for.
Follow up: If you don't hear back after a week or two, don't be afraid to send a polite follow-up message. People are busy, and sometimes messages can slip through the cracks.
Leverage alumni networks: If there are any alumni from your university working in London IBD, definitely reach out to them. They might be more willing to help out a fellow alumnus.
Attend networking events: If possible, try to attend networking events or industry conferences in London. This can be a great way to meet people in person and make a lasting impression.
Be patient: Networking takes time, and it can often be a slow process. Don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate results.
Remember, every no brings you one step closer to a yes. Keep at it, and I'm sure you'll start seeing more positive responses soon. Good luck!
Sources: Working Abroad - Regrets/Benefits, London IBD/PE, International Student - Chance of getting an IBD internship in London?
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