Is age a problem in Investment Banking recruiting?
Hi all,
I'm currently 22 and studying sophomore year since I enrolled college at the age of 21. Semi-target, fair GPA 3.9, and one internship last summer at MM. (Initially I wanted to be a novelist so I spent two and a half year writing, then changed my mind and decided to go to college). I feel like I am too old compared to other peers seeking for IB placement, is age a problem in recruiting?
Nah my friends got it nbd
Dude you're still young. I would not worry.
I am well into the later half of my 20s and will be interning at a BB next summer. I've never perceived my age to be a disadvantage for me- I would even argue that it's helped throughout recruiting. My classmates have repeatedly commented on this differences in the dynamics of conversations when I'm speaking with recruiters vs. when they are.
Since you spent some time of your life writing a novel and then deciding to go to college, I really think that that aspect of you will help you stand out. As an interviewer, I would be pretty intrigued to hear about the time you spent writing a novel and how you learned from that experience and have grown as a result.
I actually think it's a good thing. (Twice this FT recruiting season, I was asked about my writing abilities) Besides, there are plenty of people I know who went to the military for a few years and came back to junior OCR at like 22-23. As long as you had a reason for the absence, I think you're good
keep up that gpa and continue the banking internships and you will be good to go buddy
Thanks all for replying!
You will be fine. I know guys that got into banking after serving in military or gap year before college.
I'm 25 & feel fine going through FT recruitment. The finance industry is so linear and inflexible. However, life isn't this way and we all take different paths. I wouldn't worry about it.
I know of a guy who was a professional dancer and became an analyst at 26, so don't worry at all dude. So long as you have a defensible story and a logical way of coming to the conclusion that banking is the next move for you, i would almost think you have a leg up, as you'll have a much more interesting background than the typical college student.
A friend of mine started this year and is 28.
Honestly don’t think it matters too much.
No difference. You're 2 year older than your peers - you won't look any different when you show up at superday
Not at all. Tough to understand that I feel while obviously competing against a very young group of people but plenty of people have done it.
If you were published/etc, that just makes your story all the more credible and interesting. Spin it accordingly and most people will appreciate it vs anything else. FWIW, I know someone who SA'd at 23 y/o and received a FT offer for a BB IB from a semi-target etc. Just hustle, hustle hard, and you'll get there. Good luck.
Yeah shouldn't be an issue at all. I know a bunch of military guys at my school, some of who are as old as 29, who decided to go to college after leaving the military and landed top offers.
I'm a late 20s third-year Analyst at a BB. Just keep hustling bro, you're good.
I didn't start FT until 25. I spent 3 years before college traveling the world and doing humanitarian aid. I look young for my age so maybe that helped, but honestly nobody gives two f*cks if you are slightly older if you do good work. Plus, my insight and understanding of the world and cultures has given me an advantage
If you check M&I it says the upper limit for analyst position is 30 and for associates it's 40. This is not a hard rule though and is usually applicable to US IB, other countries would have a different culture and limit.
Ideal / Actual Age Range of IB's per position? (Originally Posted: 11/03/2017)
Hey everyone!
Does anybody know what's the ideal / actual age range here for entering into IB per position?
What's the average age of:
Analysts Associates VP's MD's
Any data sources like here on WSO or elsewhere?
I know that if you wanna climb the IB ladder, best to enter as analyst and work your way up (not saying it's easy) but I've also heard senior people from other industries entering senior roles in IB (in our country a bank CEO joined a Boutique IB here). And of course, post-MBA professionals entering as associate instead of the usual analyst route.
Currently 23 years old, worked as an FX trader, my immediate goal is to get into an IB in my country (SE Asia region). Global IB firm is ideal but local is good. But of course IB here is not as big than US, Europe, HK, or SG. So medium term goal (~5 years) is to get an MBA / Finance Master's abroad and long term goal is to advance IB career there abroad (~10 years). Now I know this is not an easy goal, but whatever, IB is a challenging career even in entry level as an analyst.
I'm asking this because it is challenging getting to IB in your own country, let alone in another country, so I want to know my time frame. If you were in my shoes as a 23 year old with the goals above, how would you go about it?
Thanks and more power to everyone!
Analyst - early 20s Associate - mid to late 20s VP - late 20s to early 30s MD - 35+
Hey man thanks for the comments,
Because what I was thinking is, do I have enough time for this:
-I'm 23 now so say get in as analyst at IB locally -After 3 years (26 yrs) become an associate or even as analyst, pursue MBA abroad -Post MBA become an associate at an IB abroad, boutique or BB -Continue the path
Is age an issue? If so, what age becomes a barrier to entry to IB? (Originally Posted: 12/19/2012)
As I haven't seen much talk on this topic I was wondering, what age becomes an obstacle when applying to an IB.
My previous work includes accounts management, branding, pricing and sales. I've also managed to turn a failing business around within 1 year and I'm currently working on a startup whilst studying for my first degree. After school I couldn't afford the luxury of university due to family reasons however I'm on track for a pretty good grade.
To be honest, Im far from interested in the gilts and glamor of working in an IB or BB, my aim is simply to learn how to pick stocks and manage funds.
My first question is, what age becomes a barrier to entry? And the last question is - is there a better way of learning this trade?
From what you described, IB is the last place you want to end up. We don't pick any stocks or generally manage any funds. You would be better off as a portfolio analyst for some money manager somewhere.
At that point, as long as you are young enough to learn, and apply what you learned, there should be no issues. (within reason)
Also, strongly consider starting the CFA program. It is a great foundation for asset management.
Thanks for the advise
I'm planing on taking the CFA but can only do that after I've graduated (so I believe)
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