How important are connections and networking?

In this hypothetical scenario, there is a candidate who had a mediocre GPA in the first two years of college. Then he becomes obsessed with investment banking and works in finance (not investment banking) in multiple internships part-time and full-time while achieving exceptional grades. In his senior year, he decides to get a second major in Computer Science and stays at college for one more semester. He is now in his final semester with a pretty good GPA and has a interview with a dream bank in three days but since he has been so focused on improving his resume, he hasn't studied for the technical questions appropriately.  

Is this kid boned? Or can he prove himself capable of learning the necessary skills on the job in the interview? If so, how can he prove himself?

3 Comments
 

Networking is single-handedly the most important thing in IB recruiting. Yes, of course grades, ECs and school name matter a lot, but the only way to truly stand out is to make sure you have people batting for you when resumes are pulled and interviews are given out. Even at a target school like the one I went to, kids with 3.9s who did not network didn't get as many interviews as the kids (who on paper were not as qualified) and who grinded hard to meet bankers for coffee chats/talk to them on the phone. This industry is about relationships, and being liked/known goes farther than "perfect stats" on a resume.

 

Ab ut aliquid culpa quia ipsa. Quia nesciunt corporis natus vel. Quos vel voluptatibus eaque.

Dolorum praesentium beatae et repellat maxime esse unde qui. Error cumque rem temporibus est et non. Est magni dolore aut est.

No pain no game.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (17) $409
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
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...”