"What did you do at your previous internship?"

seedy underbelly:

theparadox:

I am doing a school-year internship at a no-name boutique with literally no dealflow. What's the best way to answer this question?

'I am doing a school-year internship at a no-name boutique with literally no deal flow."

I do actually understand DCFs quite well, haven done them extensively for coursework and case competitions. But, since I haven't had to do anything more at work than spread comps, its hard to demonstrate that on my resume. I feel like most things on my resume sound too generic and given how intensely competitive recruiting has been, I'm a little worried.

johndoe89:

Speak to whatever experience that is non-deal related that sells you over another candidate. Even if someone didn't have 'deals' on their resume during college, I'd still pick them over somebody with zero experience if they had a basic understanding of DCF/LBO models, can do simple financial analysis and get out some good quality research.. Throw all that out on your resume. You can also mention deals that haven't closed, or you know won't close on a confidential basis without taking names on your resume. Even pitches that haven't gone anywhere but you've done a significant amount of work can be added in there..

RonaldBacon:

no dealflow doesn't mean you didn't develop relevant skills. Did you make pitchbooks? Perform valuation on companies for these books? etc? I mean...did you literally do nothing?

I have created some pitchbooks and done valuation, I just felt like it sounds too generic. But, I guess nothing I can do about that at this point.

heister:

Um... lie? As long as you feel confident that you know your shit make it seem like you were busy.

haha I will embellish a little of course. I suppose I am trying to figure out the fine line between sounding too generic/outright lying and simply embellishing what I've actually done - if there is such a thing.

You answered you own question with "this would be better than nothing."

I say do it.. if nothing else you at least probably met a lot of people.

Also, why don't you see about getting a place closer to the internship? esp if its paid

4 HOURS per day....I guess its better than nothing...

this is basically HR

if its paid, move nearer. rent a room anything....

I would def take it if you have nothing. Move nearer and take it as a learning experience even if its negative cash flow.

It is essentially HR, a great place to make friends and ensure you at least get 1 interview from BAML when the SA recruiting kicks off. The fact that you can put "Global Banking and Markets" on your resume could help in interviews by using the whole "gained exposure" to the other business lines within an investment bank and see "a better fit" with your goals and ambitions. In particularly, I am interest in banking ... etc. You can even put that in your cover letter as content to express your "motivation".

I'm sure there will be networking events that you can crash and schmooze to help you for summer recruiting.

3+ hours per way? This is like living in Chicago and driving to work in Detroit each day.