Help my friend - 3.8 from semi-target

Hello WSO,

I'm writing on behalf of a friend who has had some trouble getting hired. He has a 3.8+ GPA at a semi-target top 20 school and is majoring in Math and Econ. Also, he is extremely personable. He has no finance experience, but worked a F500 firm this past summer as a Business Analyst (think internal consulting). He wants to work in Finance, but after a few final rounds, has not been able to land an offer. What are the next steps for him? He has an offer to return the F500 company, but has absolutely no desire to do so. He would be willing to work anywhere, but would prefer New York, Boston, Chicago in that order.

 
Anthony .:
Why isn't your friend doing the leg work and posting on here himself.

because there is no friend ;)

The answer to your question is 1) network 2) get involved 3) beef up your resume 4) repeat -happypantsmcgee WSO is not your personal search function.
 
Best Response

I told my friend about your predicament and he advised me to tell you about linkedin. My friend says you should network like crazy and consider doing Wall Street Prep or Training the Street, so that you have some fundamental modeling skills. Another friend of mine thinks you should take the F500 gig, go to a solid B-school and come in as an associate. My friend says you could skip all the analyst BS that way, although if PE is objective, then stick to what caw19 said.

I honestly do not know what you should do, but my friends are pretty knowledgeable and personable, so you should consider their opinions.

 

Your "friend" is in a tough spot.

If IB is your "friend's" goal, I would say keep at it, and you never know what might come up. Also, if your "friend" isn't having any luck with landing BB positions, tell him/her/you to look for gigs at smaller shops.

And at the end of the day, a job at a F500 as a recent grad is a better gig than about 96% of college grads will land. Posters on WSO have an IB or nothing mentality, but it's all relative, F500 is a great place to start a career.

 

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