Non-target rising junior looking for 2018 SA position.
Two people I knew beforehand work in IB at a BB (one is an associate one is an analyst. What exactly can they do to help, and what should I ask?
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Ask to meet and chat. Talk about his experiences and ask about culture. Basically the informational interview in person.
Then at end, maybe ask if they can vouch for you and speak to a MD or VP about their experiences or forwarding your resume.
Thanks! I've read so much about networking with alum/strangers but I don't really know the etiquette for friends weirdly enough
Well have you already talked to them? Cause if you haven't I'd ask to meet asap. And then hopefully they can pass your resume along and help with the process in actual interview.
Ideally you'd want to rig the interview process. Submit resume and have the Analyst screen you first, then proceed onto the Associate and have them pass you onto the 3rd round/super day and perhaps see if they are doing the super day as well.
What exactly is within their power to move my resume? I was under the assumption that, at most, they can notify HR of my name and hand them my resume.
Yes, exactly. And the tactful way to do it, once you apply, is to thank them for all their information and tell them something along the lines of "our conversation made such an impression on me that I applied for X position. Let me know if you learn anything about the position that would be helpful." This makes you seem grateful and puts the ball in their court, letting them volunteer to push your resume forward. This technique has worked for me.
can you outright ask your contacts at BBs for a first round? (Originally Posted: 06/09/2010)
i'm going to be a junior this coming fall at a target, and i met some current analysts at a few BBs during soph year, and have been in touch with them throughout the semester. I was basically wondering how to convert these relationships into 1st round interviews next year...
when i email them, what is the best way to suggest that I want my resume to be pulled out during OCR? Here's what I have in mind : some of my contacts told me it would be a good idea to intern at some type of Asset Management firm, HF etc during soph year, so i took this advice and found a fund of fund internship for soph year, and im thinking of saying "hey, i took your advice and interned at a fund of funds HF, will this be enough to secure first round interviews next year? what more should I do to get first rounds?" etc...
what would be the best way to approach this, instead of outright asking them "Can you give me an interview next year?"
Whats your gpa?
Assuming that you have a 3.5 at least, in my experience if they don't think you're socially awkward and have your resume, they will more than likely put you into a first round interview. I wouldn't push your luck by asking directly to put you into a 1st round. If you played your cards right, they should already know that you are very interested in a position and should at one point ask for your resume. If not, then you can always shoot them an email with it in there, expressing your interest. Don't try to be too aggressive/desperate.
3.7...but that doesn't guarantee anything..
some of them surely know I'm interested in the position since i talked to them a lot in soph year (actually one of them is a friend of mine who I met in freshman year, and he's a 1st year analyst now)...but what would be a good thing to email them on a regular (monthly) basis to show I'm interested, without appearing too agressive?
well if one of the guys is your friend just tell him that your interested.
They all know why you contacted them in the first place (to find a job), so if they want, and are in a position, to help, they will when the time comes. Don't worry too much about this right now anyway though, SA recruiting is pretty far off. Just keep in touch from time to time and see what happens.
a few friends of mine just met their "contacts" at networking events in junior year, had an interesting conversation with some of the analysts, shot them a few emails, and that somehow translated into first rounds. maybe it's just me, but the analysts might find it weird that there was a sophomore even present at an event meant for juniors...it might make you look a little toolish idk
As some others have said, I would not just be upfront and ask "hey you think you can get me a first round." If they think you are a good fit/like you enough they will bring it up themselves. That said you can reaffirm your interest in working for their firm indirectly
.
I second that. You've already established contact with them. If the guys like you, they will refer your email or resume to HR for a first round. It just happens. Not everyone will do it, but if they like you and you seem passionate about IB, they will do it. It also depends on the seniority of whomever you've established contacts. An associate can certainly arrange for an interview so can a 3rd,2nd year analyst. A first year doesnt have as much leverage, but I've seen it happening. Keep networking up to associate or VP level. Don't go after MDs cause they are way too busy to respond/remember you and can't really impress them that much-they've seen it all. Best bet is senior analysts and associates.
Sorry to hijack the thread, but I have a relevant question. One of my best friends dad is an MD at a BB, and I've spoken to him before about trying to get an internship at the bank. I applied too late for this summer, but he still tried to put me in touch with HR, which he did, and they said recruitment was over. When do banks even start thinking about interviews for the next summer, so that I can ask him at an appropriate time (that is, as soon as possible without being too soon)? Or should I contact the HR woman he put me in touch with in January directly?
Just tell them...or rather, ask them what they can do for you. I had a buddy who was a couple months into his first year analyst position at a BB (also did SA there), he knew I was looking for opportunities so he wrote up an email to an HR contact, said that he probably knew 100 or more candidates that would be qualified for a position in the bank, but that I was the only one he would personally vouch for. Granted I was decent friends with him, but in all actuality, I spent a summer in China with him studying abroad and then moved away after that, so our friendship essentially was a few months worth of time. We still keep in touch and visit and I was at his wedding, so take that into consideration too. At any rate, 2 days later I got an email setting up a phone interview.
Maybe you don't feel as comfortable with them as I did with my buddy, but most people know what you are looking for. Just let them know that you are hoping to get an interview to get your foot in the door and would be willing to speak with them on the phone or meet with them if that would help them decide if they would be comfortable sending your resume to HR.
In fact, my aforementioned buddy knew the guy that was leaving the position that I recently received an offer for, they were former classmates. I asked him to pass my number along and to let the guy know that I would like to speak with him about the potential (at the time) opportunity if he could spare the time. I talked to the guy on the phone, he divulged pretty personal thoughts on what he like and didn't like about the place, etc. We got along great on the phone and he could see how bad I wanted this position so he called/emailed the guys at the firm and told them I would be an excellent candidate. Remember, I have never seen or met this person face-to-face. I sent him my resume, we exchanged a couple emails, have talked several times since.
Your mileage my vary but I am pretty up front about things and it seems to have worked out. These guys are probably very busy and don't want people emailing them asking what their thoughts are on this or that. Take them to lunch or meet them for coffee...just make it easy for them to say yes...or better yet, hard to say no.
randoid...I would probably contact him (phone call if possible, email if no phone) and thank him for putting you in touch with HR but unfortunately they said there weren't any positions for you. Maybe he will bite and say, I will see if I can work something out for you...or you could ask. Ask him if there are a limited number of spots every year or would it be possible to squeeze you in there someplace (even if it is unpaid) this year still. Let him know you are willing to earn everything but any help getting your foot in the door would be appreciated. Best of luck to you guys.
Regards
Connections - Cousin is senior vp at a BB (Originally Posted: 08/13/2008)
My cousin is senior vp at one of the BB. How much of an influence does she have if I want to get a summer analyst internship? She and I aren't too close, however.
Just like in West Virgina, lol. Seriously though, it just depends. If she is well connected she could have tons of pull and if she isn't well connected, or well liked, she might have little or none. Obviously no matter how much pull she has you would still have to meet some criteria to get interviews and perform in those interviews if you wanted an offer. The market is bad and knowing people is a great foot in the door, but you better believe just about every bank has their pick of the "Ivy litter" this year so the likeihood of them picking a somewhat unqualified, or under-qualified, person is less than ever. Good luck.
Ohh, is she hot? That might help...maybe.
It certainly could help you get an interview, but that's usually as far as it goes. Once you get the interview, you still have to perform and compete against plenty of Ivy/target students.
Once you get into the interview, nobody gives a damn about where you went to school. Sure they have certain quotas to fill at the HYPS schools but after that it's open season. And yes, a SVP can go a long way to getting you an interview, but you better not perform poorly in interviews or she will look really bad.
This isn't completely true. I had one instance in particular where I made it to the final round and didn't get an offer. I requested feedback from one of the MDs that I formed a connection with during the superday, and he informed me that while I was a solid candidate that he ranked near the top of his list, other senior bankers had concerns about my school's lack of prestige (not a target). Essentially, I interviewed just as well as those that received offers, but I needed to surpass them to make up for school.
BTW, I forgot to mention that she's in the HK office. I go to a top 25 school, non-target. How will this affect my prospects?
Well, do you speak Cantonese/Mandarin? That would obviously help. How is your school a top 25 college but not a target? It is a super liberal arts (ie- Amherst/Williams)? If so, they get plenty of recruiting trips from BBs and quality boutiques. If you have no banks coming to your school, I doubt it's top 25.
bullshit spouted from a Certified User... yet, I am not surprised... why?
I know multiple schools in the top-20 that are not targets... I went to one.
Yes. I can actually speak,read, and write both. Not sure if that would help though..
Well, BBs do come to my school, but they're mostly for regional offices.
So do you think she can help me get an interview at least? Also, how's the competition in HK as compared to the States?
bump.
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