So last year I was looking for jobs in investment banking from a non-target. It was the toughest year to do so, but banking is something that I find very interesting, and was 100% what I wanted to do. I went to some interviews, some BB superdays, some boutiques, and a job working for a different type of company where I would basically be doing all the same work as at an IBank. It ended up that I got an offer at the different company, and none of the BB's. I was severely distraught over this, as I listened to a lot of people on this board who think prestige is everything. Yet having been doing this job for two months, my advice is this:
Keep an open mind in the recruiting process. Apply to everything possible. Who knows, you might luck into something that is exactly what you want like I did. Now I'm working a job in a fast growing company, getting paid more than my friends who are at BB's in Ibanking (if you want to know how, PM me). If I had been only focused on BB's, I would've been sitting at home twiddling my thumbs right now. One of my best friends from a target is in this situation. He had superdays at every BB but couldn't break through. He had the opportunity to apply to my job, but didn't. Trust me, you don't wanna be like him.
So if you are applying to jobs now, I suggest taking another look at your schools career site, and seeing if there are any jobs that didn't stick out to you before. Maybe you will find your dream job, one that gives you great experience while paying well. Trust me, when I just looked at my bank statement from this job, the fact that I'm not working at a BB was cleansed from my system. People on this board might say you're a chump for not working at a BB, but they're not paying your cable bill. Block those people out.
The one thing I want to get across most is to forget about prestige when applying for jobs.
This is all just my personal opinion, but I think it might help some people out there. Good luck in recruiting everyone.
just say where you are working now so you dont get flooded with pm's :)
good post.
I definitely agree with furiousgeorge. Keep an open mind and most importantly be persistent. Keep in contact with people at all firms, be aggressive (but not rude), because you never know where you may end up.
Very wise and interesting. For information, are you currently working in the USA or in Europe?
Agree
I agree, with a caveat. Your final conclusion seems to be that "prestige isn't everything, money is." You've placed your final worth not on prestige but on your bank account, which is maybe a slightly different change of pace from the regular forum fare, but equally short-sighted and groupthink-ish.
I'd argue that while both are legitimate reasons for working at a given company or industry, neither is the most important. Do something that actually excites you, not something that excites your friends or this board.
weak.
I didn't mean to focus on money. What I meant to get across is that people who say that either you work at Goldman or you suck have no stake in your life or your career. They're not going to help you out when you need to progress. And they won't be paying your bills. Obviously we all want money, there's no other way around it. But what this job offers me is experience, which is what i really crave.
But I see what your saying, and wished I phrased it differently.
Fair enough. And I do agree that this board gets tunnel vision sometimes.
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