Languages in the European recruiting landscape

I do not know a single language other than English. I know the very basics of French due to my French mother, but I am not comfortable speaking/writing it at all.

I am studying Mathematics at a top target in the UK, but am concerned that when recruiting I will be pretty screwed due to my lack of languages. Especially considering there are Europeans who have been speaking 5 languages since they were 10 years old.

For 'relationship' based finance (e.g. IB/PE) how important are languages when recruiting? What about S&T/ER/AM? And finally HF/Prop Trading?

I already feel incredibly busy studying academics and doing ECs - I really don't think I could pick up a language at the same time.

Thank you!!!

5 Comments
 

Lol you're overthinking this way too much. You're studying maths at a top target, you're more than fine.

While they may be desirable, plenty of english speaking brits make it each year. 

The only area you might be disadvantaged in is when applying for MF PE

 

I'm just thinking about how many applicants apply for each role - there was a recent thread about there being around 200 applicants per middle market bank internship per spot. I know a lot will be fodder, but I imagine something like a language would be quite significant no?

 
nerdkill

I'm just thinking about how many applicants apply for each role - there was a recent thread about there being around 200 applicants per middle market bank internship per spot. I know a lot will be fodder, but I imagine something like a language would be quite significant no?

Only 200?

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

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