When to start networking for FT ‘25
I landed an IB internship for summer 2024 at a large, MM bank. I started recruiting late (march) and I’m glad I got anything coming from a non-target (1 person did IB this summer) and being non-diverse. I am definitely looking to lateral to a BB/EB for FT and was wondering what that process is like and how early I should start reaching out to network. I have good connections at a handful of BB/EB banks but definitely looking to expand my horizons. Should I wait until I have actually started my IB SA or should I go ahead and start networking soon. I know FT recruiting is tough and any and all advice is appreciated.
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Before networking, starting sending out emails to people you networked with thanking them for their help during the process and to keep in touch now. Then, throughout the spring, reach back out to catch up (without mentioning FT recruiting unless they ask). Then during summer starting being more obvious a few weeks into the summer and you’ll have a head start.
Week 3ish of your internship. It comes off as in bad taste (like you're obviously looking to upgrade banks, and not giving your SA a chance) if you email before you even start.
If you want to save time, can tee these up in the weeks before your internship starts... just schedule send through weeks 3/4/5. Would save some time on email writing, and return offers are a must so you have to prioritize that over recruiting. But I would not be doing fulsome networking before you even start.
Question: as a 2024 grad trying to get FT for this cycle, do you still respond to emails being sent out this late? I haven't been able to send anything during my internship and have essentially begun this past 2 weeks.
I'm trying to be thoughtful (so no copy pasted/same emails) and targeting my specific industry (which has almost no alumni weird enough). Or should I just be blasting at alum w/o industry preference?
Feels like I should target my industry to hold a decently interesting convo, but anyhow would appreciate thoughts.
It's definitely late. If you had a really interesting resume I'd hypothetically respond, but for a data point my 80 person group had 1 FT spot and it has already had a superday.
I would cast a very wide net - all the way down to lower MM and regional boutiques - definitely lose the industry-only focus, you need to land a job and industry is not a priority until you do
Also I would just copy and paste a very similar email. It's a volume thing. No one is going to be offended to not get a personalized email. You should have already emailed all the alums in the first day or two and now be targeting a ton of other banks. Bring your email sending to the hundreds as you are going to have a very low response rate.
Sounds good, I’ve already started this as I pinged my network when I got my offer, would you suggest reaching out to new people now or waiting?
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