how does it work in terms of the process compared to CAN/USA, networking process, importance of being at a target/non target, sponsorship, and do many people recruit for UK or other international places?
any info/tips would be greatly appreciated!
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if you don't have citizenship/ PR at the UK just forget about it man, there is no point. UK people don't really network (similar to HK) and the process is fully HR driven. I only know one person go that went to US Ivey (UPenn/ Dart/ etc) and is working at UK mid tier BB only bc they are british
My buddy in canada was saying that he would not have a problem with sponorship because he is canadian but there is also some sort of visa you can get for like short term work? if its HR based do they basically just take all target kids and ur saying that its hard to get an interview then?
not sure about the whole canadian visa thing going on maybe you can ask your buddy.
re: your second question: i mean, all recruiting is merit based right? If you are a "non-target" but you really grind on the internships i believe there is a chance. Anecdotally the people i know that work in banking all went to Oxbridge/ UCL/ Manchester/LSE/ LBS/ etc... I am sure you can find some kids from non-target that working at LMM or MM
yeah I see what ur saying - basically the guy said that people at like the targets/semi targets in Canada just applied and were getting a few interviews in places and they did zero networking but idk if that was a coincidence thing out of a few people
British people don't network which is similar in hk as well. You can go talk to them and get to know the bank/ group more but it has nothing to do with the app.
UK recruiting is pretty much impossible if you aren't at a UK target or harvard/stanford/wharton. I landed a MF SA offer in NY but couldn't get a single UK interview.
I got multiple looks from UK and my school is no where near the echeleon of Harvard/Stanford/Wharton
Congrats
lol im seeing such mixed experiences but congrats tho fr
did u do any networking or what was different about it?
Just bear in mind recruiting in the UK is a lot different from US/Canada. Networking is not a thing here and the process is more meritocratic and luck-based so I know some Oxbridge or Lse students struggled to get 1st round even though they're top target. Plus you're also competing against a huge portion of Master students and European targets especially those who speak multiple languages since there are lots of crossborder deals here. I'd say it's not impossible but it's a lot harder than US/Canada but key takeaways to be successful are having a very solid resume (relevant work experiences, participating in top student societies) and your school (doesn't matter if it counts as target/semi target in your country but MUST be globally well-known). Also practice online assessment since this stage is the first round for almost every firms (only GS/JPM/BofA and some EBs dont do online test). But yeah as someone who's already landed a BB offer in London and currently recruiting for US (since US has always been my dream), feel free to dm me if you got any questions
delete
Bear in mind recruiting in the UK is a lot different than UK/Canada. Networking is not a thing here and the process is pretty much meritocratic and luck-based so I know a lot of target students struggled to get the 1st round. You're also competing against a huge portion of Master students, European targets, and especially those speaking multiple languages since there are a lot of crossborder deals. I'd say it's not impossible but key takeaways to be successful are having a very solid resume (relevant work experiences, attending top student funds, grades, etc), your school (doesn't matter if it's semi-target or target in your country but must be globally well-known), and acing online assessment as it's the first round for almost every firms (only GS/JPM/BofA and a tiny bit of EBs don't do online assessment). But yeah as someone who's landed a SA offer for a BB and currently recruiting for US (as US has always been my dream), feel free to dm if you have any questions.
Do not come brother - save yourself
may I ask why lol
Grew up in London and currently work here - have a look at recent tax objectives by the current UK govt. High earners are penalised here unfortunately and government funds are squandered at a faster rate than other countries imo. Of course this is anecdotal but I don't know a single friend who either grew up here and now works in finance, or moved here from EU / APAC, and wants to stay.
bump any updates on tips here?
essentially what the above/others on different threads have said
Recruiting for UK roles from Canada or the USA follows a similar framework to North American hiring but differs in formality, networking style, and legal requirements. The UK job market places strong emphasis on qualifications, structured assessments, and compliance, while North American hiring often leans on networking and referrals.
When recruiting from Canada or the USA for UK-based positions, candidates usually apply through online job boards, company portals, or via global staffing partners such as Alliance Recruitment Agency, which specializes in connecting international professionals with leading UK employers. Recruiters assess transferable skills, global experience, and adaptability to the UK work culture.
Networking remains important but works differently. In the UK, structured networking through platforms like LinkedIn, industry conferences, or alumni networks is more effective than informal introductions. Recruitment agencies play a crucial role in bridging the gap between candidates and hiring managers, especially for overseas talent.
Regarding target vs. non-target universities, while target schools may have stronger recruitment pipelines, professionals from non-target institutions can still succeed through strong portfolios, international exposure, and relevant experience.
Sponsorship is a vital element of UK recruitment. Many employers with Skilled Worker Sponsorship Licenses can hire overseas talent, but sponsorship is typically available for specialized or high-demand roles. Working with experienced agencies like Alliance Recruitment Agency can help identify employers willing to provide visa sponsorship and guide candidates through the process.
Although cross-border recruitment to the UK is less common than domestic hiring, it’s growing steadily in industries such as IT, healthcare, engineering, and finance. To succeed, focus on aligning your CV with UK standards, leveraging professional networks, and collaborating with a trusted recruitment partner like Alliance Recruitment Agency to navigate the process efficiently.
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