Worth connecting with UK HeadHunters targeting current-IB.. or will I get laughed out?
Title.
I'm going to be a 1st year student at semi-target UK Uni.
I was wondering if maybe it is worthwhile connecting to headhunters specialising in recruiting current IB employees over to PE, and similar fields.
I understand one can typically upload their CV to recruiter's websites, but was interested to know if students should even consider this.
I would be looking to see if they can help me land:
-A placement in Private Equity (or similar), ultimately.
-Internships in 1st year (Probable this is a long shot, but worth an ask).
If so...:
How have students' experiences been with these firms in helping land similar jobs?
If not...:
- What else can they do for one as a university student, or is it really just pointless until one begins their professional career?
You're probably right you will be laughed at but it doesn't hurt to try. Go check and upload that CV.
Truthfully though, focus on cold-mailing and securing a boutique for your first year (did PE in first year at a search fund, now BB etc.). The main focus of your summer is to learn how processes work and try get some elementary exposure that you can explicate on in your CV and interviews. Additionally just master the BIWS 400 and related technical Q's for banking.
No need to overcomplicate anything - just follow the tide
Thank you, will do.
I wanted to do it just really because I don't have nothing to lose by uploading my CV (but wanted to consult to make sure it isn't a stupid idea).
I will focus on cold-mailing, & networking etc. mainly. I will definitely try to secure some form of longer work experience in 1st year - this is my main aim. I am reading over the BIWS 400 Q's every so often, so thanks for the reminder.
Would you have any advice in finding PE firms as you mentioned search fund you interned in? I'd be really interested to know how you found them/your approach to finding similar firms in the PE space.
Though, have to say your message is much appreciated.
Honestly there’s plenty of excel lists on linkedin etc you can find which show boutique funds/banks etc. just a pure numbers game.
Id say the CV fodder is more relevant than what you actually learn - getting your behaviourals and technicals cracked is really the best way of guaranteeing a BB/EB next summer.
In the UK i think its a pretty straight forward process of getting good internships - no OCR, Networking bullshit you just submit with a good CV and have prepped your interview stuff and you should be good.
I’d personally also try join the M&A Club at your school and aim for an IB summer if possible for ur first year
As other person said, no need to reinvent the wheel.
What you don't get is that headhunters get mandates, as in companies come to them seeking candidates for a specific role. This is normally a full time role, not an internship or placement. It is comparatively much easier to find student talent than it is to find existing experienced talent because student talent is a lot more open to work and concentrated in one place (unis). So companies don't normally hire headhunters for student talent. That's expensive.
The only exception to this I know of is Dartmouth who does get some (very few but some) mandates for student internships.
Apart from that, stick to the tried and true path.
Hey, thank you for the clarification on the mandates.
I was wondering if you know what year of student Dartmouth get internships mandates for?
i.e. 1st year spring/summer, 2nd year summers etc.
Also don't worry - I know that it's best to stick to the main path. However, I just also wanted to try experiment in finding internships elsewhere (albeit slightly unconventional) as I have some time on my hands to prepare.
No one is mandating a headhunter for much less than a proper summer/offcycle internship. Definitely not a spring (no incentive for headhunter either as fee is normally a % of salary and spring weeks don't get paid lol).
I'm not gonna say it's any particular year cos internships don't always work like that but a proper internship. Probably not the type a fresher walks into.
If you have time, you'll get way more out of having some phone calls with actual professionals.
Be patient. Get your name known once your profile is solid & strong. Doesn't hurt to try you might get lucky.
I will definitely will try that out. Thank you for the reply.
Do you have any particular ways to develop your own profile/name?
So far, I'd assume:
- Good grades.
- Good positions in societies.
- Perhaps other insights/spring weeks/internships.
Though, I'm not sure on what else. If you could suggest anything else I'm missing I would be very grateful.
2 things, one is look good on a CV, other is be good in real life. I mean develop your soft skills, no point in having a great CV, and in reality, you are difficult to speak to or work with. What you mentioned is standard, try to be involved in interesting things whether it's sports/extracurriculars/volunteering/part-time jobs/projects/fundraising. A CV shouldn't be mostly finance, needs to be balanced well, and can be in some cases 0% finance. LinkedIn, keep it professional and clean. Build your name through events, spring weeks, work experience opportunities, and building connections via that. Set up coffee chats and meet new people always! Hope that helps.
If you can get a Spring Week and convert this then that is your best shot - so make sure to dedicate some time to prepping for those (numerical tests, hirevues etc.), finding some work experience to have on your CV when you come to apply would also help - Also from a UK semi so if u want to PM feel free
Agree with the above. Focus on spring weeks but do note that they tend to be quite luck-based so not a guaranteed route. Not a problem if you don't land one - try for summer internships the following year. Could be worth cold calling/emailing some smaller, local firms but again also luck-based.
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