Attending other schools' career fairs?

So, I am currently in the recruiting process. So far, I have attended three information sessions at this target school (Citi, RBS IBD and Rothschild US). I think I can offer some simple insight:

1. Always make sure you can get in beforehand. Call the career center and pretend to be a student so you can find out exactly where it will be, whether it is a general session, and/or whether it is a general session or a pre-interview night. Most schools actually post this information on their public calendars on their career websites. For others, find a friend at the school and get them to give you the schedule.

2. Dress to kill. That is, a good conservative blue suit or dark grey/charcoal with a light blue/white shirt, and a decent tie. Duh advice perhaps? You'd be amazed at how many supposedly "refined" and "polished" kids I've seen at these events who look like they are either dressed to hit the clubs right after or...are vampires (see: kid walks in with stunner shades, a black suit on black shirt, blood red tie, and carries around a montblanc pen. One of the analysts even called him out on it...haha). Dress like you want the job, not a douchebag.

3. Listen very carefully to the names of people from the company and their background. When they introduce themselves, figure out: did they go to this school? If they did, they might not be as receptive. But those that are from non-targets, small schools, etc.? They don't give a shit about the target status, they just want bodies to hire who make their lives easier. If they don't say during the intros, always preface and ask beforehand, "So, are you a Harvton/Stanale/Princeuke, etc. alum?" IF the answer is no, fire away. I've had decent success with doing this with VPs/MDs after the event.

"Hey, Henry. Thank you for holding the event. Did you say you went to Georgia Tech?"

"Yes, sure did."

"That's great. You see, I go to ____". Maybe I've been lucky, but every MD I do this too has smiled. Part of their job is to analyze things: they get that you snuck in/weren't invited to this event and came anyways to show your interest. While many people might talk of doing this, I think few follow through. Then explain that you can't apply through the target's website. The general advice I've had is to:

1. (when it's a small bank): e-mail our recruiter your application. CC me on the e-mail.

2. Get in touch with me and I can give you a list of analysts who are from non-targets. Of course, follow up with them and set up phone calls/meet for coffee (go up to NYC for a day or two if you must).

Boom. Not as good as having Harvard on your resume(whatever the fuck THAT is...some community college?), but it helps. And I think they will remember you for it...at least when you e-mail them again.

4. Please do not be a d-bag. Even some of the brilliant minds of these schools lose themselves in the douchebaggery and fakeness that so many other hopefuls fall into. You can see it in the analyst's faces that have come to the event from NYC, etc. They came to this event thinking it would be a break from the stress and mundane atmosphere of the bank in the evening, but no...it can be worse (judging from their faces)

"So, what do you think of the culture?"

"That's really cool that you worked on the XYZ deal. Do you think the premium justified the acquisition price?"

"So why don't you also provide balance sheet financing to your clients?" (this at the Rothschild session

Holy fuck. I am blown away by these kids. These were all actual questions. Proof that going to an intellectual school does not make you an intellectual. One analyst actually rolled his eyes to one of these questions. I can't imagine what they were thinking of these greenhorns, but it must have been something like "I could never sit in a bullpen and do work at 3:00am with this kid".

Be yourself. Smile. Ask engaging questions: the kind that only an insider would know. Don't ask questions that make it seem like you don't know anything about all the nuances of banking (see: third question about financing deals). Ask them how they deal with the stress and pressure. Ask them about what THEY did on XYZ deal. Don't ask nerdy finance questions (save that star to shine when you interview). Do ask them questions that make them feel important. But don't be fake. Again, this is all from a prospective, but I get the sense for all those countless hours circular referencing and WACC projecting in Excel, Jr. bankers have a good eye for seeing and calling out bullshit. So don't be fake. Ask good questions, impress them by being a decent human being. You'd be amazed at how far ahead that alone puts you. Now you'll also find the brilliant kids (of course, that's why the bank is there). Just be weary, and don't be afraid to step into a group of cog'd out kids surrounding an analyst and chime into a conversation. When they start only looking at you and talking while ignoring everyone else, you've got a good sense that they might like your style.

5. Ask for a business card. Always. And if it's a bigger bank or their is a recruiter, find them and explain your story. NEVER make it seem like the school you went to is a lesser place or you are apologizing for going there. But make it clear you would like to do whatever it takes to just get that interview (from there it's all on you). If nothing else, ask the recruiter if you can get a list of non-target analysts from her...or...him? Are there male recruiters? I haven't found one yet.

Again, let me preface by saying I am a prospective, but I hope that rant offers someone some solid advice for attending these things. It's risky and a little disheartening, but when an MD offers to help you out, or an analyst who went to a college in the Mid-West smiles and gets how tough it is to break in, they seem open to helping you how they can. Just be a decent person, smile, and come off as warm (see: not a robot). Trust me, you'll see it when you go. But confidence and being humble about things go a long way. After all, what's the worse that can happen? You're exactly where you were 4 hours ago when you got in the car and drove up to that target school three hours away. I imagine the effect is much better in a good market, where the banks are have more slots to fill and seem to tend to overhire.

Would be great if current/previous analysts could chime in. It's just as likely all this could ruin you as well, haha. Good luck.