Hey guys I have some work experience under my belt but I dont have any IB experience. Im a bit older, turning 27 soon, and I am planning to go into a MSF program in Sept 2014 hopefully.
I wanted to get some IB experience so when OCR comes around I have an advantage.
Should I start by cold emailing boutiques and message people on linked in?
I'm not aiming for BB's, something less traditional.
Any tips would be appreciated.
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I think cold calling boutiques would be more effective. You should also message people on linkedin.
Depending on where you are, you might be able to network pretty well. You could also walk into a boutique and talk with someone there.
Since you have already some work experience, you probably know a lot of people. Do you know anyone who is working in IB? If so, contact them.
You should also get your resume reviewed (maybe posted it on WSO)
I know a few people but not anyone who can really help with IB internships per say, I know a few people in trading, and a few in financial advising. I'll see if they can put me on to people who might know anyone in IB.
I had my resume reviewed recently so Im pretty confident that I am good to go on that.
How can I network for IB internships, I'd really like to attend a conference or two where IB's get together to discuss issues they face. Could this be a viable strategy?
Also I know that this has been probably discussed to death, but is there a consensus as to what the best way to cold email is, the who what when and how.
I think that attending a conference might be a good idea, but you will probably be more successful if you network with alumni from your school.
Just use the search function. A million people have asked about this before.
My somehwat unconventional path to SA position (Originally Posted: 02/28/2011)
So I was just reading through some of the other success stories and felt I should share mine. I got and offer and accepted for JPM IM SA. I graduated in May 2010 from a non-target (business administration w/ a concentration in finance) and essentially had nothing of note in any regards to finance or academic over-achievement on my resume. It wasn't until my senior year that I began to realize that I was going to be screwed if I didn't do something drastic. I didn't have a finance internship, and was a caddy for the previous 2 summers.
I knew that idle time after graduation was going to be killer if it began to accumulate so I decided to get my masters in finance from a school in my hometown. (decent school). I'm still in this program now, but now I was getting a more specified education in finance, which was my first step. Within the first month of classes I landed an internship at a boutique investment bank 4 days a week, So step 2, get experience, check. (5 months experience by the time I interviewed for SA) Around the same time my internship started I joined my schools team for the CFA GLobal Investment Research Challenge. Step 3, show geniune interest in investments through extra-curriculars, check. Then about a week before I interviewed I joined my schools student managed investment fund - more interest in investments. Finally, I am going to sit for level 1 CFA this june. I understand anyone can sign up to take the exam, but I still feel it gives the impression that I am serious about this as a career.
I was able to utilize a connection at JPM IM to help guide me through the process, but I also didn't want to stop networking and capitalize on every opportunity presented to me. So here is an additional tid-bit that boosted my chances. On the way home from my internship one day I sat down on a very crowded train and began playing angry birds. The guy next to me thought it looked fun and asked what it was. Interesting ice-breaker - I know, but we got to talking and he happened to be an MD there. ---You really never know who you might meet or where you might meet people, so ALWAYS keep a heads up for opportunities like this.--- I was fortunate enough to exchange various e-mails and he was very helpful through the process.
In short, 1 year ago I really had no direction or idea of what I was going to do. What I hope some people get out of this is that if you feel like you've missed the boat, there is always a chance. I've been very busy this past year, but it was well worth it. Now i just need to buckle down and pass level 1!
Congrats man! Definitely a success story and great to hear that you were able to use MSF and some networking to get a SA position.
Kick ass and get the full time offer
Definitely gave me some hope. Congratulations man and thanks for posting this up here. I'm also from a non-target and haven't been hearing back from internships this summer, so I've been feeling pretty down. But reading your post, I got to keep my head up.
you a guy or a girl? What kind of MD makes a move on someone playing on their iphone....?
Happy you got an offer though! :) Well done.
Congrats. Epic story.
Never underestimate the power of Angry Birds...congrats!
I loled at the Angry Birds part. Congrats. Semi-Epic.
Inspiring story, i'm a junior from a non-target trying get a internship but its hard.
Agree with commodity, semi-epic haha
Hope it's going well, non-targets got to work a little harder for their spots, but it's well worth it!
Only goes to show how the likability factor plays such an important part in everything, not just business. Simply being a decent human being will get you places. Congrats, good story.
Non Traditional Applicant Becoming an IB-Generalist Intern? (Originally Posted: 10/02/2016)
Hello,
I have been interested in IB for the past 6 months. I graduate with my bachelors of science in finance December 13th. I will have a 3.4 overall gpa with my major GPA being a 3.7.
I would like to apply for an IB internship post graduation but it seems I am at a disadvantage not having gone to a top tier undergrad school. I understand they generally do internships in the summer but it appears some firms alow you to do one in the fall or winter if it works for your schedule.
I went to a Tier 2 college that was AACSB accredited. I went due to a scholarship and I didn't want to take out loans to graduate my undergrad from a top university. I didn't know I wanted to do IB until my senior year of college.
I have 3 somewhat relevant jobs under my belt: Finance Intern w/ 3 internal promotions, Construction Project Manager, and another Project Manager position.
How common/uncommon is it for a bank hiring IB interns to offer someone an internship who did not go to a top undergrad school? Mind you, I'd only be applying for an internship, not an actual IB analyst position. My hope is I'd be able to prove to the managers/hiring team that I am an extremely competitive candidate even though I didn't go to xyz for my undergrad. I have no problem working 120 hours a week and working at a "B-list" investment bank as I'd like to accrue as much financial experience as possible anyways and just break into the industry.
Is someone in my position completely out of the question to be considered for an IB internship or do I have a chance?
"Is someone in my position completely out of the question to be considered for an IB internship or do I have a chance?"
That's already the wrong mentality. As with everything in life, you always have a chance, no matter how hard it may seem. My advice to you is: start networking as much as possible, have a good story to tell and make sure you know your technicals. Also, try to send cold applications to smaller firms (regional boutiques etc.) as they don't have structured internship programs but they need interns from time to time. You gotta start somewhere.
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