Has Networking Become Less Important?

I go to a non-target state school, and, like all non-targets, have been told to network relentlessly to be able to break in to IB. Since I go to a state school, networking has been tough since we do not have a very strong alumni base on the street and most bankers ignore my cold emails due to lack of prestige. I have not made many strong connections at banks yet, due to this fact. Finally I said screw it, and applied to a large BB (think GS/JPM/MS) online without having a single contact there. Within almost 24 hours I received an email back inviting me to do a HireVue. My question is, do you guys think networking matters less now than it did 10 years ago if you have a very good GPA since most banks now use websites and filter out candidates through certain criteria like that? Or did I just get lucky? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

 

Like the other people said, HireVues are pretty much automatically sent as long as your application meets some base criteria. It's the part after the HireVue that gets tricky as a human employer might not even see your application unless you get lucky/network

 

To add a bit more insight here - you could theorhetically be able to break in through the Hirevue system but its not likely if no one in HR knows your name. You want to try and make some connection at the bank. Look to make connections with people who also didn't go to a target school as they will have sympathy for your cause. Agressively linkedin stalk people and then use the WSO email formats in the company database or on the posts on here to find how to format their emails. In you emails to them you can mention how you've had the chance to participate in a hirevue but would like to continue to learn more about the bank.. that way they know where you are in the process and that your resume is sitting with HR.

 

Like everyone already mentioned: Hirevue means you passed the “Applicant Tracking System” in terms of screening for stuff like GPA, internships, etc. You have to keep on networking with alumni at your school or rather people that went to a similar non-target.

 

Sit voluptatem voluptate omnis enim. Quia ut et distinctio cum.

Voluptatem quam sed nihil sit veniam officia officia. Aut et voluptatem quia necessitatibus ratione voluptas. Eligendi quo accusantium error repudiandae est itaque.

Array

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 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

April 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

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
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...”