For context, I am an economics major at a target school with a 4.0 interested in landing an IB BB internship. How valuable is networking to me? I would rather spend my time grinding technicals and practicing interview skills. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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Some gigachad who has a 3.3 gpa can beat you to the offer simply by playing on the same lax team as the MD’s son. Just like seniors who push your resume to the top of the stack because you made an effort to reach out
Networking is pretty important, not like its hard its just tedious.
100% this is accurate. You definitely still need to network. Do you have any idea how many kids from non-targets with 3.7’s+ will beat you out if you don’t?
How spoon fed are you?
Yes
I mean honestly if you're at a Top 20 school with a 4.0 GPA, you will probably get interviews solely from applying for on-campus recruiting. I was in that position and never even went to the career fair or the various networking events that the banks came and did at my undergrad business school. All of my interviews/offers came just from tossing an application at banks who were interviewing on campus, through my school career portal.
FWIW, most of the people I know who got good jobs also did so through on-campus interviews, whether or not they also attended networking events prior to applying/interviewing.
You sound like you have zero grit
Networking was completely useless for me in landing an internship, but I’m still grateful for all the coffee chats I had because I learned a lot about different jobs/industries through my chats.
This. You may have a great profile, but if you haven’t taken the time to network (at the given bank, if at all) it will show. Networking is incredibly helpful to understanding the industry, what your work will be like, and niche tasks that are sparsely discussed on WSO/online.
It sounds as though you may not need to do a ton of networking, but having a few conversations at a few of your top choices could be hugely helpful.
Also, to further an above point, there is a chance that another candidates personal ties could be enough to beat you out if you don’t have a referral or two.
Networking isn't necessary, especially with your profile. But, it also is so easy. Undergrads make networking out to be some difficult task that requires tracking and lists and requires hours upon hours of time. Send 3 emails to alums at the bank you're applying to, quick intro, I'm interested in IB, I applied to x role at your bank, do you have 15 minutes to hop on a call, thanks. That's it.
As others have noted, whether you have to network or not is mostly irrelevant. The skillls you learn from being able to have a “normal” conversation with an adult are important. Learning technicals will be mildly helpful, but building a relationship with people at your firm will be incredibly important. And one last thing, ROI. The cost of networking is pretty low from a target (email a few alumni, have a call or coffee chat) and the risk you are removing is high. Just do it.
Network is your net worth brahh.
You want a job? Ask your network.
You lose your job? Ask your network for hiring intros.
You need career advice? Ask your network.
You need leads on a deal? Tell your network.
You're raising capital? Pitch your network.
Business is a team sport as is life and you're playing the long game. The more people you have on your team the more likely you are to win. Cheers.
I landed a IB BB role and did not network at all. I have like 30 connections on LinkedIn.
First in my fam to break into IB, had no insiders or referrals
Same, never networked and landed in IB. Definitely recommend networking tho
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