Which of the below options will make my application for spring weeks stand out more?
Hi, I am at a target school in the UK on the first year of a four year course. I applied for spring week this year but was unfortunately rejected by every institution despite a fairly good CV. The main problem for me was failing the online tests as fluid intelligence isn't my strong point so I will practice throughout the summer.
I haven't been able to secure any finance related work experience this summer and will apply for springs again in september, What do you think would look better only CV?
Option A; Spend 10 weeks in Germany, 4 weeks doing intense german lessons followed by 6 week of an internship in the finance sector of a company e.g admin or accounting, small company. You pay a placement fee but the internship is unpaid.
Option B: work in a typical student job i.e Tesco and with the saved funds, trade during the day and then do the 4 week Amplify Trading Course (2800 quid) which is expensive but apparently prepares you well
Option C: city investment training 8 week analyst programme
Option D: work and save up money to climb Kilimanjaro, read around markets etc, raise some money for charity from the climb
Please give me your honest advice on what option you would do in order to stand out or I am equally up for other suggestions, I am fed up with the onslaught of rejections and want to secure some good offers next year. Thank you
bump
It's still February. Can't you find an internship locally?
I think most places with formal schemes are designed for second year students and I haven't tried smaller firms as they don't have anything on their websites as per internships..
Don't sweat the spring week rejections - you're on a four year course, so banks will be looking for spring weeks in your second year --> summer internship after your third year --> graduate role at end of fourth year. Try again next year!
I worked in the Lloyd's insurance market after my first year summer - most syndicates don't have a full application process so it's worth just getting in touch if you want to do some kind of finance work. Be warned, its a much, much slower working environment than banking: I was in the office at 8 every day and was one of the first there, and I got told off for staying beyond 6-6:30ish, while remote logging in late at night was a no, even to check if any model runs were working. It's a different mindset - probably why they were so desperate to offer me a job even though I'd rather not work there long term.
Either you do a cool life experience + volunteering or you look for an internship in an small M&A Boutique / VC fund. In London is plenty of both, just try to network with a bit and ask for a 10w unpaid placement
First - the main reason you must have been rejected from spring weeks is due to the nature of your course ie 4 years. Banks will only consider applicants graduating in 3 years time. I am assuming that you haven't lied about your course duration when applying.
Don't sweat it too much - I didn't do a spring week and got a BB SA and I know people that did spring weeks and have nothing lined up.
Option A is good if you are keen on learning a language.
Option B is crap - amplify is full of bullshit just ripping off students. Read a book/browse WSO/the internet and you can learn as much although you don't have stuff to put on your CV.
Option C is crap too
Option D is a great thing to have on a CV
And I would suggest Option E - what I personally did: network with small M&A boutiques ie Cavendish corporate finance, Bluebox, Peelhunt, Numis, FinnCap or VC funds in London and get a work placement maybe unpaid but often you can negotiate minimum wage for London which is GBP10/hour. Many of them exist, while it may take a bit of your time - you should have 3-5weeks free to send emails during spring break. It will show how keen you are and dedicated to finance. Good luck!
Thank you for this, that is really helpful. How would you suggest starting a conversation with the firms you mentioned? Will an email to their HR be suffice outlining my interest and with CV or would you suggest messaging workers to meet for coffee? Thank you.
Never message HR. Reach out directly to senior bankers and try to get them on the phone.
Agree with Pan European Monkey - Amplify Trading is indeed full of bullshit and I speak from experience. They are even giving away courses at this stage to Alumni's friends & family .
For what its worth I hope you chose Option C or D.
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