Does being big matter?

What?? Focus on what you can control (strength as an applicant) not fucking strength in the gym

Anonymous Monkey

Rising sophomore. I'm not skinny but not big either. I'm concerned that this could be a deterrent when recruiting next year - what if they have to choose be and someone who is way stronger and we have the same technical knowledge and equally good at behaviorals? Thoughts would be really appreciated

hit the gym. ppl split. you will stop being skinny

Hop on tren and you’ll for sure get a goldman offer. Ye tren might make you die early but so will 120 hour weeks??

It sounds ridiculous but it's not. It's no more ridiculous than extremely attractive people having an advantage in interviews as well. 

Interviewer asked me by SBD. Squat - 405 Bench - 305 Deadlift - 495

Instantly hired as an MD at Goldman.

Dave Lui (ex Jefferies MD) wrote a bit about it in his book Way of the wall street warrior. That he definately felt some kind of effect on people when he got jacked and big, maybe this was enhanched because he is Asian. Probably a bit rarer than some linebacker looking white dude.

Matt Harvey just got hired as an MD at Newmark. Get your fastball up to 96 mph and you are good to go. 

The strong survive and the weak perish 

In general its good to try not to be fat, and definitely do not be obese. Stats show people that are good looking and in physical shape are treated more favorably on average. You can't buy a fit physique. It takes consistent hard work, dedication, and self-control- all qualities that are valued in someone who's trying to enter a high-pressure environment that will grind you down with things like lack of sleep. 

It is kind of a hilarious question to ask but people are overblowing how ridiculous it is. It's not to say that someone is going to explicitly pass on you because you're not as "big" as the other guy, but physical traits definitely play a role in hiring, and that's undeniable.

How many times have you seen attractive/tall people with less knowledge hired over a candidate who is smarter but not as physically appealing/imposing. It plays a role in their decision making, but also getting bigger/stronger will increase your confidence which will likely have an even bigger impact than your physical size.

Bottom line, hit the gym.

It can all bite a few ways. I feel like in some cases I almost came off as too much of an athlete for some people.
 

I’m 6’2” with wide shoulders and a generally athletic build. I’ve been accused of being too intimidating due to my size, I had a Korean VP tell me when I was a 1st year analyst that I had “crunchy undertones” due to being a former professional cyclist…still haven’t figured that one out. 
 

A bunch of London colleagues called me Superman and captain America for looking too much like the farm kid that I am. That said, my family is actually very new to the US, which I always found funny. 
 

Just roll with the punches. None of it ever bothered me, just chill and laugh along. I’m pretty low key so people would just say all of this to my face or over drinks, and it was a different era when people didn’t take stuff so seriously. I’d rather hear the jokes than have people talking behind my back. 
 

like others have said, just control what you can…work hard, be nice and things will work out. I saw Bruce Wasserstein in a banana hammock once (was friends with his daughter). He seemed to do pretty well and more or less looked like Danny Devito as the Penguin. 

Prospect in IB-M&A

Rising sophomore. I'm not skinny but not big either. I'm concerned that this could be a deterrent when recruiting next year - what if they have to choose be and someone who is way stronger and we have the same technical knowledge and equally good at behaviorals? Thoughts would be really appreciated

If you’re a member of the 666 club, put it on your resume so they know you’re a BSD.

The best analysts are those that come into their stint thin and scrawny... and then proceed to become 30 pounds overweight... This is the way

Just to echo some of the above comments, this is an odd question but I think there is some validity to it.

To OP though, my advice would be if you want to get bigger and more in shape by all means do it. But don’t do it just for the sake of trying to get a job offer. The bottom line is there’s more to life than just having a job and you can’t plan your entire life and existence around trying to secure your perfect job. There’s nothing wrong with trying to look a little better but you should do it for you and not to try to be *slightly* more competitive in a job interview.

Remote interviews help a lot! Really evens the playing field

Jokes aside, we know the econometric studies that taller people tend to be more successful, holding other factors constant. And what, 70% of CEOs are 6 feet tall or smtg, and nearly all POTUS are above 6 feet (forgot the stats)? So it would help marginally (build confidence etc), but I wouldn't hold my breath on it lol and the primary focus should be on your skills

This is just hysterical. You know your shit that's what matter the most at job not your size.

focusing on being a better applicant just means doubling down on being another nerd

If you can walk into any interview room and are capable of killing everyone in that room with you bare hands then that tribe will want you as a member of their tribe, that's how it works. The women will want you. The men will want to be you. Put that book down, hop on a cycle, start eating 10k cals a day, shave your head, and get BIG

You don’t need to be huge. They’re hiring excel monkeys not a moving crew.

IMO, looks/height/build/networks go a long way and can make your career.

sure, be a ppt/excel beast as a junior, but as you progress, it's about client and relationship management. 

I know of a MD who would bring female interns instead of the full timers for a pitch and task the interns to hand out the decks to the management (old white guys)