Advice for 2 Problems?
Hey everyone,
I've got 2 problems that are similar that I need help with, and I want to hear what you all would do in my shoes. For reference, I'm at a semi-target with a semi-decent GPA and with semi-decent internships. My résumé looks pretty good, but I'm only winning first-rounds because of my networking efforts (I don't stick out in a school résumé drop). Sorry, it's a long post, but my situation is complicated, so it requires a lot of explaining.
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I've networked well into a BB in NY (think BAML/CS/Barcap) that doesn't recruit AT ALL from my school, but they have a few associates + 2 VPs at the bank from my school. They've forwarded an email from HR which said that my name is in the system, so they'll keep track, and non-target super days aren't until much later in the summer/early fall. This bank is notorious for really only taking like 3-5 kids from nontargets, the rest from their targets.
------> Problem: this bank does take 1-2 kids from my school each year, but in a different office (think Houston/SF). I've networked with the regional office and the analyst who's heading the recruiting mentioned that he liked me too. If I submit to the résumé drop, they'll likely pull me in for a first-round at least, and it's guaranteed that they'll take at least one kid from my school at the super day. If I submit to the résumé drop, I'm afraid that NY will see, and that I'd kill my chances there. Do you think I could submit to both, or should I aim for the regional bank I'd be guaranteed a first-round at that will definitely hire 1 kid from my school? If I submit to the regional office, I'll be competing with other kids from my school during first rounds. If I submit to NY, nobody from my school even tries to network because it doesn't yield much, so I'd likely get a super day as long as I don't screw up the first round interview, but lower chances of being hired. I'd prefer NY but there's a lower chance of getting hired. -
I've networked well into a BB in NY (think BAML/DB/Citi) that does typically take 1-3 kids from my school each year, but I want to go to the same bank at a different regional office (think SF/Houston). If I submit to the résumé drop in NY, I'll likely get a first round, but I'd rather go to the regional office.
-------> Problem: I've only contacted 1 guy at the regional office who has gotten back to me. On the phone, he mentioned that the office cares a lot about fit, so I'd need to network well. I've emailed 2-3 other analysts 3-4 times, and nobody replies for some reason. Since that phone call, the analyst hasn't gotten back to me either (in over a month), so I haven't been able to get deep enough roots there and the résumé drop will be happening in the next month. If I submit to NY, I'll hopefully get a first round, but I'd have no chance at the regional office because they want to see that you only want to go to their office instead of using it to go to NY. I'd prefer the regional office because I have family near the office, and they're strong in the area, so it would be like going to NY in terms of exits, just with a specific industry focus (tech/oil). In the end, though, I feel like I can't be picky because any opportunities to get an interview and land an SA position are more important than whatever location I'd be at.
If you were in my position, which bridges would you burn? Scenario 1: take the possibly higher yield interview in the regional office, where if I get a superday I'd probably get hired, but I'd compete against kids at my school? Or submit to the NY office where if I get a superday, they really only take 3-5 kids from nontargets?
Scenario 2: submit to the résumé drop where I'd likely get a NY interview, or submit to the regional office because I'd be happier there, but risk not even getting interviewed?
Thank you all for your help. I realize that this might be dumb to ask, but I'm feeling lost and stressed out because the recruiting season is kicking off and I really thought I'd have the chance to network more. I flew out to NY and was able to network, but had a trip to the regional city (SF/Houston) that I had to cancel because of the pandemic.
bump
In the context of the virus I will go with the regional office. The geographical mobility is so limited now, it takes away your chance to network and even their willingless to give out interview offers to kids from the west coast. Also, if you did well in your regional office you can still go to NY, most of the ib exit opps are clustered in NY.
Btw, I honestly don't think dropping your resume to NY will do any harm. If you're from a non-target they won't bother mentioning your resume to anyone. Without a special context I would say this is a risk-free move.
But if you're from a semi-target (sth like ucla) , don't underestimate your chance of breaking into NY. At the end you are only competing with few of them for like 3-4 positions per bank. Still very challenging but you can definitely give a shot.
Don't overlook networking with people in the EBs. They are usually more acceptive.
Awesome, thank you so much for your insight. So the banks I'm talking with would definitely talk - in situation 2, they'll see on my application that I applied to NY + the regional area. Do you still think it's worth it to apply to both? Again, I want the regional bank, but nobody returns my emails (3-4 over the past month), so I feel like it's almost not worth it to even try anymore at the regional bank.
For clarification, I'm from a semi-target. The network at my school is great, so we have solid recruitment every year, but it's not a straight shot into a bank. So I guess you could group my school with like, Ohio State or Texas A&M
Why don't you ask your connections in the NY office for their thoughts? Just tell them you really like their company and want to maximize your chance of getting into any of their offices. If theyre kinda nice they will tell you what you should do right away.
In regional offices networking seems not to be that important. Its actually feasible to get into one without a solid network. Once got an offer in Dellas without knowing anyone in the office.
+1 SB for your help by the way, I really appreciate your response + your advice
Wait, non-target superdays don't happen with targets?
Depends on the bank. But yeah, some banks have separate processes.
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