Some Advice?
I am currently about to finish up my MBA. I am trying to get into a investment banking firm and do not know where to start. I have a very powerful GPA at the undergraduate and graduate levels. I have very significant work experience, relative to investment banking, and I do not know where to start. I know this is a very competitive market, some advice how I should play my cards would be really appreciated. My campus recruiting office is not very experience in the finance world, and they do not offer any help relative to what I am trying to do. Where do I start?
Network! Search the forum!
English isn't your first language is it?
RC,
Given your background and the type of undergraduate and graduate schools you went to, I would suggest you try for a middle or back office position. After 2-3 years there you can try to switch to an IBD support position, probably the closest you will ever get though...
wtf don't listen to ludvig.
anyway, sounds like you're at a non-target but that doesn't mean it's impossible to do front-office banking. search the forum for sample resumes from target schools so you can get a better idea of how to structure yours. don't copy their formats exactly!!!! DO NOT!! if no firms recruit at your campus, applying through their careers section of their website might get you a few interviews if your credentials are as strong as you say.
if you are graduating this year, it'll probably be too late for you to start a full time job this summer since FT recruiting is usually august-october. in that case, you can try to get into the next round and have a good excuse for why there's a gap on your resume.
3BG, Well it is hard for me to get into this industry. My campus sucks the methophoric big one, and I have no connections in any investment banks. I am going to have my MBA in December, I am about 15 credits from completion. I have experience running my own business for the past 5 years, and have been working full time with a powerful GPA (3.8+). I very recently have submited my credentials to some of the investment banks online. Am I on the right track?
Stop using the phrase "powerful GPA".
WHY !!!!! You get the point. Dont comment unless you are going to give advice.
RC--
My guess is that you are either a recent immigrant or actually from a foreign country. My parents were immigrants so I respect that a great deal. What you have to understand, however, is that investment banking is a client facing position. There are many Indian and Middle Eastern-born people who do well in banking, but all of them were educated either in the US or at "American schools" in their own countries. Without the right sort of polish, the front office is not open to you.
Middle and back office positions are still a great way for candidates like yourself to break into the industry!
Ludvig no disrespect. I was born in america, and i am attending Wharton for my MBA. I am going to graduate high honors. What are you talkign about idnian blah blah blah... I have the polish for front office !!!
And I have been running my own start up for the past five years, while in college. I was born for front office I-banker.
I just type fast, and dont proof read enough on my posts. I can see where you thought I was Indian. My apologies.
RC--
You aren't attending Wharton for your MBA.
To quote from you:
"My campus recruiting office is not very experience in the finance world, and they do not offer any help relative to what I am trying to do."
and
"My campus sucks the methophoric big one"
If you don't want to take my advice, fine. But don't come to these forums and lie about yourself. You don't attend Wharton or any other target business school. There is a 1/100,000 chance you could get a job at a BB front office, but as I said, most likely, you'll fit better in the back office. You're better of accepting that, working for a back office, doing well, and trying to switch after 2-3 years.
RC/Office boy,
Changing your user name doesn't change the facts.
Please stop wasting board space if you are just going to be a douche...
"My campus recruiting office is not very experience in the finance world, and they do not offer any help relative to what I am trying to do."
"I am going to have my MBA in December"
Somebody going to Wharton would not make these statements. They don't have December graduates (Unless you are finishing a semester late, in which case you wouldn't be finishing with honors), you can only start in the fall. If you are really looking for advice, lying won't help. Because the bottom line is for somebody who went to Wharton, all we would say is join the I-Banking Club, go to firm events on your campus, and hit career services. Banks are there in droves. Somebody at Wharton won't have a very difficult time getting interviews at I-Banks.
If your campus doesn't have a strong pressence on Wall Street, network your ass off, try for a back office at a BB, and get your CFA. After you get a year or two in the back office under your belt, and hopefully complete a few sections of the CFA, check out Boutiques and Middle Market banks. If your performance is strong enough, you might be able to make the switch at whatever BB your worked at in the back office. Not impossible, but not an easy feat by any means.
Office Boy went to Wharton School of Cosmetology, Duh guys. Just be honest and I am sure the people here can help you.
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