UK IB Post-Application Networking Strategy - Worth It?
Hey everyone,
I'm in a bit of a dilemma about post-application networking for IB internships in the UK (both summer and off-cycle). I know networking isn't as big in the UK as in the US, but I feel like my application might be too easy to ignore for a few reasons:
- My grades are solid (well above the benchmark), but not extraordinary.
- I need visa sponsorship, and only a few banks (just two) have structured programs to hire from my region (Africa). Most of the banks I'm targeting don't regularly hire applicants like me.
- I'm a career switcher from Psychology. While I've taken finance courses, done an internship in risk, and worked as an equity research analyst for my school's investment fund, I don't have IB experience, which makes me feel forgettable.
To stand out, I've been networking with bankers (mostly analysts and associates, doing around 2-3 calls a week), but I'm not sure if it's making a difference. My actual questions:
- Is there any real point in continuing these weekly discussions with bankers after submitting my applications, especially since the first batch of final stage invites are already going out (for one of the banks)?
- Should I reach out directly to HR with a quasi-cover letter, name-dropping the bankers I spoke with, effectively asking them to "pick me"? I did this last year for a MM and got the invite to the AC, but I'm not sure that might help for the other banks. The bankers I've spoken to said it doesn't hurt to try, since it forces them to make a choice.
Really appreciate any advice or insights you might have!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and advice for your situation:
Post-Application Networking Strategy
Continuing Weekly Discussions with Bankers:
Reaching Out to HR:
Additional Considerations
Summary
By following these strategies, you can enhance your chances of standing out in the competitive IB internship landscape in the UK.
Sources: Is there even a point in investment banking?, Failed to "Break In" at my MBA Program - Next Steps?, FT recruiting timeline London, Would appreciate some advice, Failed to "Break In" at my MBA Program - Next Steps?
bump
I'm Nigerian too—come off your high horse, as a veteran in this recruiting game, I'd say your profile is actually underwhelming (Europeans reading this with 3 previous IB internships can testify)—I haven't seen anything exceptional about your profile (except I didn:t read your profile carefully enough) that will turn anyone's eyes in networking (& this is coming from someone with one or two truly exceptional things on my CV). Learn from my experience & just stop wasting precious time with networking – focus on spending every available second applying to as many banks as possible (all (almost) MMs, EBs or BBs sponsor actually; most Europeans actually need the same sponsorship since brexit) & hope you'll be lucky, as high NUMBERS of applications increases the probability of good luck.
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