How to Start in London as an American

Hi there! I'm a rising senior at a target (about to start my SA) and was wondering what my prospects are for finding full-time analyst positions in London. Specifically AM is preferable, but corporate strategy/consulting is also something I'd very happily look into.

Everyone seems to think I'm nuts for not wanting to work in New York but it just comes down to the city not being for me. I've interned there and lived close by my whole life but I must be immune to the magic. Since the City with a capital C is the other top financial center, I just thought I'd give the dream a shot.

I'm hoping to leverage "international experience" though I know that can't mean too much coming from an undergrad - I've worked in finance in Singapore, studied a year in Paris, and will be interning this summer in Tokyo (BLK). My GPA is solid but not spectacular; I'm fluent in French and Korean. But I have no clue how much the recruiters are going to care when they stack me up against native applicants who won't require a Visa. What I'm hoping to do is perhaps use contacts to hop from BLK Tokyo to BLK London if I get the chance.

So if you have some wisdom to share, that'd be great - is this a realistic goal? Have any of you made the jump yourselves? Also any tips before full-time recruiting would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

8 Comments
 

One big + about England that monkeys keep extolling is the permission to openly drink at work when clients are not at the office.

[quote=Matrick][in reply to Tony Snark"]Why aren't you blogging for WSO and become the date doctor for WSO? There seems to be demand. [/quote] [quote=BatMasterson][in reply to Tony Snark's dating tip] Sensible advice.[/quote]
 

Ever since they passed the law that fish and chips couldn't be served in newspaper, London has been in steady decline :)

Good luck to you, my only piece of advice would be... its depressing as hell to live in that weather... and don't fuck with London drivers.

 
Best Response

It's tougher as an american needing a Visa but its doable. My former roommate who stayed in london after I moved back to the states has had 2 different jobs that sponsored his work Visa.

And I am a big of fan of drinking at work since I had that opportunity when i was consultant there. I have my own company now and my employee brought a 6 pack to our marketing strategy workshop yesterday, i was so proud of him.

 

Have you considered doing a 1 year masters after graduation? I would imagine it would help establish footing to work in London. The placement for stats LSE, Oxford, Cambridge, and LBS sound like they could make all the difference in jumping the pond to work in the City. Props for wanting to do something different, all your international work experiences sound awesome, good luck in Tokyo!

"Understanding reality, and financial markets in particular, is a never ending process." - George Soros
 

Possimus error odio ipsam nisi itaque. Illum repellat ea eos sed illum mollitia. Beatae voluptate temporibus et.

Iure velit quia iure voluptas nihil est. Odit voluptatem aliquam reiciendis sit expedita aut corrupti velit. Eum dolorem totam sint accusamus. Minima eligendi dicta non perspiciatis necessitatibus sed. Rerum sed temporibus eius in quis sequi. Molestias saepe aut eos odio dignissimos excepturi. Doloribus recusandae nam magnam quos non iste ipsam.

speed boost blaze

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 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

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

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

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”