Recruiting for SA 2025 with 0 experience
I'm a sophomore at HYPSM (supertarget? idk) who has no experience with finance—no prior internships, no IB/investing club membership. Also a humanities major (have heard this is bad). I'm very confident in my technical knowledge and believe I can perform well if given the opportunity to interview. With a decent amount of networking, is it possible to get first-rounds? Are there steps I can take between now & the start of recruiting to make my resume more finance-friendly? I'd be targeting tech IB and would ideally work at a top firm (GS/MS or a good EB).
Ah, the classic tale of the humanities major at a prestigious institution dipping their toes into the shark-infested waters of finance! Fear not, your journey from Plato to profit margins isn't as treacherous as it seems. Here's a treasure map to help you navigate these choppy seas:
Networking: You've got the right idea here. Networking isn't just a buzzword; it's the golden key that can unlock doors you didn't even know existed. Start by:
Resume Polishing: To make your resume more finance-friendly:
Technical Skills: You're confident in your technical knowledge, which is great. But make sure you can:
Internship Experience: While you may not have direct finance experience, any work experience can be valuable. Be sure to:
Understand the Industry: Since you're targeting tech IB:
Remember, your unique background can be a strength, offering a diverse perspective in a field that values sharp minds and quick thinkers. Keep your wits about you, and don't be afraid to let your personality shine through – sometimes, a touch of the humanities can be the secret sauce that sets you apart from the crowd. Good luck, and may the winds of fortune sail you swiftly to your desired destination!
Sources: Tips for Freshman for The Sophomore IB Interview Process, Non-target to BB IB SA, Landing Finance Internship With No Prior Experience for the Fall, Sophomore Finance Experience/Internships?, Pre-Investment Banking Internship: Calling all freshmen and sophomores
bump
Out of those 5, only H is a "super target" for banking.
It's definitely possible / you will get first-rounds with the right amount of networking given you're school so no need to worry there.
I'm sure you're fine for GS/MS, but you shouldn't be "very confident" for the harder tech banks like Q as FYI. Good luck!
What is the M?
MIT
GS TMT is not an easy spot to land lol
I mean in terms of technicals. They are lighter with their questions, especially compared to Q and places like EVR
In a similar spot, except I have barely started networking :(
is too late to just start seriously networking in Jan esp with all these banks opening earlier and earlier and HL already open :o
Start networking but I think GS/MS/top EB TMT are a bit unrealistic. You can find their analysts on LinkedIn, but they have sterling resumes with a ton of internships and involvement to land those roles. Make sure you include the MMs and tech boutiques in your networking.
Your school should get you in the door, but these days non-targets have a pretty wide path too, and everyone else will have at least one, if not two internships, as well as several finance club involvements. The humanities major is fine as long as you're not at Wharton and forgoing a finance major. You better have a really good answer for why finance and why tech, of course.
Also you need to find a sophomore internship ASAP. Like in the next few weeks. It helps a ton to say "oh I haven't done much yet but I'm interning in this finance job this summer" and your resume can convey the same messahe
Really appreciate the response and the great advice—am trying to find something in finance for this summer as we speak. Are the non-tech groups of the bigger BBs easier to recruit for? Obviously I would prefer to stick with tech, since that's what I know and follow closely, but one of the things I'm looking for in IB is optionality after the analyst years (maybe pivoting to law school or government work if I decide that finance isn't for me). I'd imagine a "big-name" BB provides much more of that than, say, a SF tech boutique.
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