Struggling to overcome bad undergraduate grades even with a masters.
I am in the UK and majority of large companies require a 2:1 in your undergraduate studies. They make you click a box which says you got above a 2:1. If you don't click it you can't pursue the application further.
The thing is I am doing a masters degree in which I am on track for a merit/distinction so a very high grade.
On the application form my masters doesn't make a difference. The 2:1 requirement is only for your undergraduate.
I spoke to a managing director in investment banking and he said the 2:2 will hold me back and I will not pass the initial screening.
I suppose I can overcome this with networking and having someone vouch for my application?
The other thing is I suppose i could do an MBA after doing random work for 2-3 years.
Any other advice?
I know that you have the drive and want to become successful but you have to be in sync with reality and look where you fell short. There's a reason why your GPA wasn't solid, maybe you value other things such as free time or genuinely don't enjoy the classroom setting. Only when you examine yourself, you can accept yourself and move forward. There's more to life than Investment Banking. By the looks of it, even if you got the Investment Banking job, you'll be unhappy.
I feel with a masters from a top target, and some solid work experience I could get into a top MBA program. My aim has been London business school. I feel that will be my best chance now, doing an MBA and getting an associate internship
Online applications are basically useless for finding a job, so you're way better off networking than anything else. It might be something you have to fill out if it's a larger company with a standard recruiting timeline, but networking is always your first move. You may want to explore smaller firms, or if you're just using investment banking to get into a better industry, go for jobs in that industry itself .
I think if I get into a target like oxbridge or imperial then even with a 2:2 at undergraduate I feel it will be easier to make someone refer me so I could miss out the initial screening.
A 2.1 vs. 1st does not really make a massive difference. A lot of people with 1sts are not that good when they hit the desk and vice versa, and people screening CVs are cognizant of this fact. Ofcourse having a 1st is great but if you get a distinction in your Msc from a target I do not see how it can hold you back. A 2.1 is not a bad grade.
With all due respect, the MD you spoke to doesn't seem to know jack about recruiting. Plenty of people in front office finance with a 2.1 undergrad.
I made a typo in my post. I meant to say I got a 2:2
Ok. Well it will be trickier in that case but not impossible. What is your degree in? Provided you get a good grade in your Msc and it is in a respected subject, you can still make the move. You may need to use headhunters or other channels to make this transition (i.e. unconventional routes). I have certainly seen atleast a couple of people at a top US BB with a 2.2 (but they had technical skills).
I am studying maths and I have bucket loads of engineering work experience.
You should be OK in that case (the guys I know had a math / comp sci background). I would try and hustle your way in. May be tricky for M&A IBD roles but a quant role (maybe middle office) should not be majorly difficult.
If all else fails just put down a 2.1 when you do the app to get past the filters as technically you have those grades in your Msc (so it is not lying). The rest depends on how intelligent your iviewers are. If theyre bumblefucks who are only capable of mechanical thinking (i.e. they think 2.2 = / = no iview) then you are screwed. If they understand you have tough background you should be ok (certainly nothing set in stone).
An MBA sounds like a good idea if you dead set on IBD (but I would aim for IBD now).
Why has nobody offered the obvious suggestion of applying to US banks where nobody has any fcking idea what a 2.1 is
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