Breaking into IB after Recruiting for 4.5 years

I finally got an offer from a leading MM bank after recruiting for 4.5 years. I started my MBA at a top 20 school, which was a good school but didn't have a lot of IB alumni connections. In retrospect, I should have gone to a better MBA school or gained more work experience prior to the MBA. However, coming from an engineering background with few finance connections, I didn't know how the process worked. I had several internship and full-time superdays in the MBA, however never landed an offer. After the MBA, I took a job in real estate underwriting and asset management but kept poking around for IB positions. I finally got an offer for an associate role three years after graduating from the MBA. Obviously, the M&A market is hot now, and I made a few key connections over the years which helped a lot. That being said, don't be discouraged if you encounter 10+ failed superdays or don't come from a core school. If you really want to do IB, keep grinding away. Keep making connections. Keep performing well in your current role. Don't take no as a permanent answer. I feel like this is a key for long-term success for a career in IB

 
Most Helpful

ahubartt

I finally got an offer from a leading MM bank after recruiting for 4.5 years. I started my MBA at a top 20 school, which was a good school but didn't have a lot of IB alumni connections. In retrospect, I should have gone to a better MBA school or gained more work experience prior to the MBA. However, coming from an engineering background with few finance connections, I didn't know how the process worked. I had several internship and full-time superdays in the MBA, however never landed an offer. After the MBA, I took a job in real estate underwriting and asset management but kept poking around for IB positions. I finally got an offer for an associate role three years after graduating from the MBA. Obviously, the M&A market is hot now, and I made a few key connections over the years which helped a lot. That being said, don't be discouraged if you encounter 10+ failed superdays or don't come from a core school. If you really want to do IB, keep grinding away. Keep making connections. Keep performing well in your current role. Don't take no as a permanent answer. I feel like this is a key for long-term success for a career in IB

Great to hear! Congratulations on the accomplishment and props for the perseverance.

 

Dolor minus consequatur quia porro ut quisquam sed. Voluptatum sint harum officia alias voluptas dolorum deleniti. Tempora ea animi veritatis nisi vel repellat illum id. Fugiat itaque rem facilis mollitia labore mollitia iure.

Sapiente quos iusto officiis delectus aliquam reiciendis nihil. Quae sint et voluptas quo cupiditate aut sint. Eum cumque accusantium fugit in voluptas voluptatem vero qui. Est ad tenetur et reiciendis sint quo aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”