Are online apps just a scam?


Just wondering what the general view here is. Asking because had sent couple of apps for my exact same position at banks of the same (or lesser) level and didn't even get invited to a first round interview. I'm at a US BB in EU HQ office and have a target grad school with good grades on my CV. I get the whole "millions of applicants/there's always someone more qualified than you" but kind of ridiculous. Would have thought HR at least did a good CTRL+F look through the stacks for the people with the same position as what they're looking for or at least prominent sellsides.

Who are these guys interviewing if not people who 99% share my profile? Anyone actually ever get interview invites just from the online applications? Kind of just interested in your views, have we gotten to the point where you literally only get 1st round interviews via networking along with target background? If so guess we're fudged mates....

 

Most large firms use CV screening software which looks for key words and buzzwords. People who craft their CVs to fill them with this language get flagged for a review by humans. Best bet is probably to jam-pack your CV with as much buzzword jargon as you can. You can also fill the empty spaces in your CV with white text of buzzwords like Harvard, Goldman Sachs. Maybe try it with a fake CV first and see if it works with that. 

 
Most Helpful

Its funny you say that, I've been wanting to create a fake "perfect resume" and send it in to an online application to see if that profile would get an interview without any networking. The funny thing is you'd hope so but i kind of doubt it.

TBH if i had to count the times i have gotten invited for a first round interview (not counting test/hirevue invites) without doing any networking i could count them on one hand, and bear in mind, like many of us here, I've sent thousands of apps in my time. Its completely ridiculous and the same goes for headhunters, sent a CV to these guys through linkedin, HH calls me 1.5hours later: "yeah cool, great fit etc etc will for sure pass it on to company" and then nothing, total scam artists. I feel like 90% of the times the job posting is there just so they can say they reached out globally when really they only look at the internal referrals

 

Numquam similique delectus quis et. Consectetur neque unde eum nihil. Voluptas temporibus et magni expedita accusamus error eos. Laudantium aspernatur sed praesentium quia vel autem odio.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”