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I have a speech impediment, and I've landed two offers...as long as you come across as smart, honest, and hard-working you have a good shot.
I think you are very wrong when you say that "Wall Street isn't exactly known to be friendly to non-tall, straight, privileged males..." That is total BS, as there are a plethora of diversity programs for all of the BBs. I think IB is more self-selecting than anything else (when 70% of the applicants are white males, you shouldn't be surprised when 70% of the ones hired are white males).
I would argue those programs exist precisely because it wasn't always BS.
I’ve met MDs at top BBs/EBs that have very high pitched voices. Not a big issue.
bro if you come off as gay you're more likely to get hired. banks are all into pride and diversity nowadays.
Even if you were at a disadvantage, what could you really do about it? Will you try to deepen your voice throughout the interview? What if you get an offer? Then, you will have to speak in that voice for the rest of the time you work there.
As others said, it's not that big of a deal. If you come across as a great candidate, you will get an offer. Anyways, I don't think you would want to work at a bank where people are judged for the way they speak.
I’ve met successful bankers of all races, voices, heights, and shapes - try to be relaxed and knowledgeable in your interviews instead of worrying about trying to be Don Draper.
I have a very deep voice, but besides surprising people when I speak because I don't really look like a person with a deep voice, I don't think it has played a major role in any interviews I've done. It's more about appearing confident and knowing your stuff, from my experience.
David Einhorn is soft spoken with a slightly high pitched voice. I don't think anyone would actually not hire someone merely because of their voice.
Your question is not as silly as you think. A few years ago I realised I had the same issue and unaware of WSO, I took matters into my own hands. For the next 10 months, I had Russian breakfast(2 vodkas, 3 cigarettes). This played a vital role in my plan to deepen my voice. After a month, I saw progress but it was not what I expected.
In addition to this, I began yelling at my mum for about 2 hours every day. At times, I would lose my voice and I was unable to speak. I continued to smoke throughout this experience. You know what they say, no pain no gain.
Losing my ability to speak was unexpected and it timed with my Nomura interview. I could not say a word. Surprisingly, they still gave me an offer.
Fast forward to now( a year later), I have spent about $2500 on cigarettes, $9000 on vodka(only grey goose) and about $15k on private liver treatment but I have the voice of Morgan Freedom and skinny blondes tremble at the sound of my voice. This has made me much more confident in interviews. I can't wait to begin my internship in Dutch Bank(even though they are going through some difficulties).
Andy, I am aware that this comment may not seem fitting for this thread. Feel free to move it to 'Success Stories'. Thank you in advance.
+1 for shot at Nomura
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