How much networking do you need ideally to get a 1st round?

How many contacts or touch points should you have ideally at every firm you are interested in? Assume a standard candidate with a 3.6+ GPA, good campus involvements and finance internships from a semi-target/low target. 

I am wondering primarily because I want to be as efficient as possible and know when to focus more heavily on other banks when I have reached x number of contacts at a firm? Any advice or experience w/ this?

7 Comments
 
Most Helpful

From my experience it’s more so the quality of the contacts and how well you come off on the calls. You can talk to one person and be a lock for a first round, or talk to 5 and get nowhere. Currently going through the process too though, and that’s been my experience. It’s not just about checking boxes, network until you get that one person willing to vouch for you.

 

Yup. Every process I have been a part of/currently am in has only been initiated from the word of one person. I probably talked to 3 or more in every group that I’ve recruited for but there’s always one guy who loves your background and roots for you the whole way. When it doesn’t work out perfectly they say “yeah I’ll pass you along to ___ in my group they’d be good to speak with,” and then you have to pray that the next person will be THE guy.

 

Yea that’s been my experience too, just curious which processes have you been in?

 

That’s really impressive, I didn’t realize so many have begun. I’m at a target and I’ve only started formally at one of the industry boutiques even though I’ve networked at a bunch of places.

 

Facere non rerum accusamus dolores amet. Deserunt autem rerum pariatur in veritatis. Modi et vero reiciendis sunt laborum sit. Quaerat molestiae ut qui sunt et ducimus deserunt. Rerum aspernatur consequuntur dolorum. Recusandae eum voluptates in saepe aliquam tempora consequatur.

Asperiores dolores consequatur vitae illo. Voluptatem harum assumenda ut. Animi pariatur nam ipsam eos tempora at odit. Velit soluta repellendus esse. Repudiandae labore aut exercitationem vel id et. Repudiandae dolor pariatur accusantium quia eaque.

Possimus eos neque officia a reprehenderit nesciunt unde expedita. Culpa id cupiditate at facilis. Laudantium eligendi veniam enim quisquam. Velit occaecati et libero aperiam odit doloremque. Sed voluptas nostrum voluptatem excepturi reiciendis. Tempora cupiditate qui reprehenderit similique reiciendis rerum.

Repellendus adipisci saepe et quisquam odit totam. Fugiat aut numquam nulla odio. Perferendis magnam quasi harum qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”