Chances of landing a job?
So, here's the story: I'm looking for a job on Wall Street for at least a year (maybe several more, maybe indefinitely, depends how I like the life) and would like to work at Goldman Sachs/Morgan Stanley/etc preferably. Here's a quick summary of my background, main highlights and drawbacks and whatnot:
- 23 years old
- From Eastern Europe (so would need the employer to sponsor my Visa)
- Masters degree cum laude (no distinctions between magna/summa honors over here) with a GPA of 3.86 / 4.0, though it's from a local and pretty obscure university from an international point of view, top2 in the country though.
- Graduated high school with a perfect GPA (though I guess this is largely irrelevant?)
- 5 years of full-time work experience as an accountant and an auditor's assistant
- Did a summer internship a few years ago at a local investment bank
- Currently residing in my home country
- Excellent English (for a foreigner), easily understand Finnish, can speak some Russian but need practice for fluency, have taken some French and Swedish courses
- Have a decent idea of Eastern European/Russian business culture
How likely is it that I can get an associate position at a top 5 IB in NYC? If not an associate, then an analyst position? There is also the issue that if I am to be interviewed, I am in another country.. is a Skype interview possible or should I expect to have to fly there and do the interview in person?
I am also curious about the "normal" work schedule at a position like that. I've heard numbers up to 100 hours a week, is this a week-to-week load and does that include working on weekends? I have absolutely no issues with working 12 hours a day on a regular basis, in fact I have done so for many years now. But working 17 hours a day, every day the entire year doesn't sound too great.
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good luck
^posting the resume is a good idea, but I think there's enough info on the guy to get some decent feedback. To be perfectly honest, in a perfect world, you should have no problem getting interviews. I just don't see it happening without mad connections. I can't imagine an NYC office going out of their way to hire a guy from Finland, especially considering there's no shortage of people in NYC gunning for the same jobs. Best of luck though, you sound like a smart, ambitious guy.
You definitely don't want it enough. There are guys that would kill to be a banker. Literally. IB is competitive enough to where you don't simply decide that you want to "try it out." While I'll agree that passion is different from WANTING it. You can't go into the situation nonchalantly and expect to work at GS or MS.
That being said if you want it it's possible. You probably stand a better chance taking a look at some firms in Europe first though.
Telling the harsh reality...
just by looking at your background...you should try to get a job at a regional boutique first in NYC then maybe lateral to other banks after 1 year or 2
"5 years of full-time work experience as an accountant and an auditor's assistant"
You will start as a first year analyst, MAYBE 2nd year if the shop is desperate
Maybe I'm missing something, but why don't you try and work in London/Paris/Frankfurt? It will probably be easier to break in, there is a chance they may recognize your degree, and depending on where you live, you won't have to worry about Visas. Plus you may have some alumni or fellow countrymen who can give you a hand.
Ok long post, and yes, a resume definitely would have helped - but even without one, here's the quick points:
For top 5 IB in NYC given your background, lack of contacts, etc - I am giving you long shot odds to be generous.
That said, you have a much better shot at getting into a top 15-20 B school (assuming good essays,letters of rec, and some ECs) - from that B school you can definitely get into a BB in IB as an associate
Yes, the hours are bad - every week 100, no, BUT depending on the group and just what happens to be going in terms of live deals, pitches and fire drills,100 hours can be the norm for several weeks at a time. Some weeks you'll be hitting 65-70, others you'll be hitting 110 (depending on the group and everything else mentioned above). If you don't want to work more than 12 hours a day, then don't do BB, elite boutique or even many MMs IB
My rec would be pursue the MBA and then move to IB - if you really want NYC BB IB - though it sounds like you'll be persuaded given the hours, etc
PM me if you have other questions.
Agree NYC is a long shot but places in Europe hire a lot of CAs/former accountants in IB, even BBs...you I think you would have a good shot in Europe landing an senior analyst position or maybe even Europe.
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