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?
Depends if the kid spends his fucking time posting on WSO
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.
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