I will be entering business school in the fall, aiming to secure a summer associate and ultimately full-time associate position at a BB or top boutique. I've been accepted at Stern, still waiting to hear from Columbia. In this down market, what strategies would people recommend for ensuring that I get one of the few spots available for next summer? What can I do to put myself ahead of people just flocking to the on-campus recruiting? How can I gain an edge over the hundreds of other Sternies/CBSers looking for IB jobs?
Any suggestions, specific or general, would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Network. Network. Then network more.
Thanks, I've been reading some of the old threads on networking, and will definitely do that like crazy once I land on campus (I'm on the west coast now, so not much networking of use here).
The only thing you can do at this point is prep yourself to come off well during informational sessions and bank presentations during bank week at your school. Your school (and the investment banking club) will most likely have a pretty mapped out process of recruiting and the subsequent schedule for each bank - when they come to campus for info sessions and presentations, when they require resume drops, when "closed" meetings are, and interviews. Also, you'll have scheduled trips to meet with alumni of your school at all the big banks. So getting interviews and mapping out a schedule shouldn't be a problem. The only way you set yourself apart is having a good answer for every question thrown your way, and being generally likable when you meet alumni at banks. They can push for you to get on the closed list for banks.
There's no cheat sheet or magic tricks to B-school IBD recruiting. Attend all the events, press the flesh at all your bank visits, and keep in touch with your contacts, and you should get interviews.
Prepare as much as you can... I would say the one thing people miss is "thinking like a banker." When I interview people I get lots who can recite answers from the Vault guide but they don't "get it" when it comes to what this job means and how bankers think.
That may sound like a BS answer, but honestly in interviews I spot people who "get it" and people who don't within a minute. There are lots of resources out there and knowledgeable individuals on the board, so consult with everyone you can.
Beyond that, alumni networking is also crucial. This is something that a lot of people miss at top schools because it's so easy (or used to be so easy) to get in via other means.
I would also recommend casting a wide net - it's nice to go to a BB or top boutique, but the reality is those jobs are always going to be much tougher to get than MM/boutique ones. It's just like when you were applying to college: make sure you have safeties too.
A little off-topic, but: if an alum agrees to meet with you for an informational meeting, should you dress up like it's a real interview? I'd feel a little strange suiting up for a 15 minute coffee meeting, but I could see how they might expect it anyway.
Business casual is fine. Unless it's Lehman, the person you're meeting will mostly likely be business casual as well.
Oh, and thanks for the advice, dosk and GameTheory. I'm not sure I'm quite there yet as far as thinking like a banker, but blogs like yours (dosk) and this site are definitely getting me closer.
Thanks, that's what I figured.
Since you are deciding between two NY b-schools:
Our standards for Columbia and Stern are different than for other b-schools. Fairly or unfairly, since you are just a subway ride away we expect that you'll spend more time trying to get in front of us than we would someone who has to fly in to NY. Or even take a train in from Philly.
So take the networking comment seriously. Especially in this market, when the prospects for career switchers are extremely challenging.
Repudiandae accusamus doloremque qui et numquam delectus nihil. Ea cum tempora eum nihil officia. Deserunt eveniet ut et quos ut commodi ipsam molestias. Consequatur nemo sunt fuga quos et aut nemo. Nulla hic ut aspernatur iste accusamus minima. Qui incidunt illo minima error.
In fuga eos aut. Voluptatem cupiditate impedit aperiam quos vero quis delectus.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...