200+ Networking calls, 0 offers. What am I doing wrong?
Guys, I don’t get it.
I’m at a Top 3 French Business School (M1 Finance). I’m hunting for my first 6-month internship in Sales on a Trading Floor. I am literally searching everywhere.
The internship is supposed to start soon, and I have nothing. Here is the work I’ve put in so far:
- 200+ professionals contacted.
- 30+ calls & 5 coffee chats.
- 2 interviews (went "meh").
I feel I’m doing everything right:
- Technical: I’d rate myself a 7/10.
- Culture: Strong macro knowledge and I’m grinding FIT questions daily.
- Network: I spend my life on LinkedIn and the phone.
I’m hearing that Tier 2 banks receive 300+ applications a day. I’m now willing to start anywhere: Middle Office, Asset Management, Pension Funds, or Mutual Funds.
What should I do more?
I’ve even considered standing in front of bank towers to hand out my CV physically to people leaving the office. Just figured out it would just do more harm than good?
I would seriously appreciate any advice, reality check, or leads.
It sounds like you're putting in a tremendous amount of effort, but there are a few areas where you might refine your approach to increase your chances. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some actionable tips:
1. Refine Your Networking Strategy
2. Leverage Your School’s Resources
3. Broaden Your Scope
4. Sharpen Your Interview Skills
5. Stand Out in Applications
6. Stay Persistent and Creative
7. Mindset and Resilience
Remember, breaking into Sales & Trading is highly competitive, but your determination and willingness to adapt will set you apart. Keep grinding, and don’t hesitate to leverage every resource at your disposal!
Sources: Two Internships Later: What I wish I Knew While Recruiting! (Toronto), Freshmen: What to do during your freshman year summer, Some advice on getting a job or internship by Monty09, You want a summer analyst offer? Here's how..., Offer rescinded what can I do now?
Not sure what year you are, but went thorugh recruitment last year in America and I emailed 400+ with 60+ phone calls and only got 1 superday. My networking was defintely later in the recruitment season due to a switch in interests so that could explain a little. I would defintely ask for feedback from those 2 interviews and for any people you have networked with already it can't hurt to reach back out and ask for any advice on how to nail recruitment. Try to think from a banks perspective on why they might not be interviewing you and try to improve on those things (techicals, eqtiquette, resume/past experiences). Theres always luck involved in life whether you like it or not however. Can't tell if you were joking with handing out your cv, but don't do that. It also can never hurt to recruit for other roles (have backup plans) if you still dont have a role set up. Best of luck!
Okay, good insight. In France we do Masters post bachelor so I'm basically 5th year and entering my gap year for 2 offcycles.
I got out of your message that:
I should ask for feedback + put myself in banks shoe
In my interviews, I can already assess some mistakes. Inflated CV in coding skills so got caught beyond surface level questions + couldn't talk good enough about my previous experience + didn't smile + tried to show I knew even when didn't know.
I'll work more and hope for best
Thanks for help.
You are doing NOTHING wrong. You just need to persevere and focus on the things you control: your actions, your thoughts, your attitude. Life/recruitment is not linear. Just because you're working hard, it doesn't mean you will be rewarded. You need a break and this takes time. It's a numbers game. The more applications, the more opportunities you generate. You only need one yes. Stay with it and good luck. [for reference, when i was out of business school applying to banks in London back in the 90s, i had sent over 500 letters and applications by post. at least you don't have to lick a stamp :)
understood, good to hear
Just to note, don’t lose your personality in all this (or build one if you never had one in the first place).
The other commenters are correct, follow their advice too. My point is just to remember that even S&T doesn’t want human robots (that’s quant lmao)
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