What does Houlihan Lokey look for in FT recruiting?

3rd year @ target school, 3.7 GPA. Will be doing my SA at JPM MMBSI next summer (commercial banking, focus on sponsors, debt, syndications). I know IB (ideally levfin or M&A) is my long term goal, so I want to start feeling around MM IB groups—HL is one that I’ve always found really interesting. Has anyone gone through their FT process before? How was it like, what do they look for, and when should you start networking?

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Class of '23 Dec 2026 Cohort

5.00/5

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“Wilson was very helpful in my resume review. He asked clarifying questions to help me highlight the key aspects of my resume. Following the review, I feel confident that my updated resume accurately reflects my my professional work experience. I also appreciated how quick he was to respond to my enquires. His responses were supportive and ensured that my resume reflected key points that are relevant for my experience. I would definitely want to work with Wilson again in the future as this was a great experience for me.”

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Class of '28 Nov 2026 Cohort

4.70/5

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“I recently had my first roadmap meeting with a mentor from WSO Academy, and it was truly a pleasure. We had such an open, genuine, and insightful conversation. What I appreciated most was how closely his background, career path, and long-term vision aligned with my own ambitions. It was almost as if we shared the same goals and outlook on the future, which made the conversation even more valuable. We discussed a wide range of topics, including starting my career in an analyst role in the APAC region, potential pathways into private equity, and how to eventually transition into the U.S. market. We also talked about opportunities in the Middle East and Europe, the importance of building and maintaining a strong professional network, and even the possibility of starting my own company in the long term. He shared valuable advice on the next steps I should take and how to approach my career strategically. What made the meeting particularly special was how approachable, supportive, and genuinely interested he was in my ambitions. Since I’m currently completing my internship in Singapore and he will also be visiting Singapore soon, we’re planning to meet for a coffee chat, which I’m really looking forward to. Overall, I’m extremely grateful for this experience. It was a genuinely inspiring, helpful, and insightful conversation that made me even more confident about my decision to join WSO Academy. I feel fortunate to have connected with a mentor whose experience and vision align so closely with the career path I hope to pursue.”

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What does Houlihan Lokey look for in FT recruiting?

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What does Houlihan Lokey look for in FT recruiting?

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