Q&A: Non-Target to Analyst at a MM shop... it can be done

First time poster, long time lurker. Just wanted to post this for all my non-target boys and let them know it can be done and I'd love to be a resource because this forum helped me tremendously in recruiting efforts. Here is my guide for how to break in without on campus recruiting

1) Get your hands on a summer analyst stint at literally any shop possible after junior year. I took an unpaid gig at a regional boutique, but my 10k signing bonus and 110 base are worth the 10 weeks of unpaid experience

2) After your summer, bulk up the resume and network like a motherfucker. I couldn't tell you how many cold emails or Linkedin messages I sent and honestly they worked out pretty well most of the time. I go to a large state school so naturally had alumni in the industry and would always target them, but the key here is volume. A lot of the VP's and up are extremely busy, and the place I ultimately signed at didn't get back to me for 3 weeks after I sent a message. All it takes is getting your foot in the door and getting connected with analysts or HR

3) Intro calls: On intro calls make sure you have your story down. Standard interview shit but don't make these guys feel like they're wasting time with a guy from fucksville boutique. Be personable, inquisitive, and sound relatively competent on the industry and more than likely they'll connect you with another analyst, rinse and repeat. One question I loved asking was why this firm or the culture of said firm and I'll tie that in below

4) First-round interviews: a lot of first rounds for full-time recruiting are exactly like the study guides on here. The one thing that helped me the most in understanding the study guides is doing ad-hoc work like Wall Street Prep where I could watch videos and then get some hands on experience. The Financial Statement Modeling and DCF Modeling on there I think work very well. Building a model with references greatly enhanced my ability to articulate the standard accounting questions, because before that, I was simply regurgitating info and would've been fucked if I got pressed on anything.

5) Superday: Again for full-time recruiting, a lot of the processes are fast paced because they want to fill their class. I was having first rounds while wrapping up my internship. The most important thing with Superdays is doing your homework and stressing why this bank and why this group as almost every firm I interviewed with wanted to know why this bank. Be yourself and try to be relaxed... the Superdays are generally not extremely technical and are the usual questions again unless some associate just got staffed on a Friday. These people like you enough to potentially hire you, so try not to sweat too much. STRESS THE FIRM AND THIS GROUP. In all of my Superdays people ate this shit up.

6) Lock up that offer

I had a long recruiting cycle (> 2 months) and I say this so people don't get discouraged. You have to look at every no as closer to a yes down the road, because as soon as you go negative on recruiting you're fucked IMO. Stick with the process, continue to review interview q's, and something will more than likely stick. Any guys with similar experience pls comment below if I missed something, but this was my template. IT CAN BE DONE NON-TARGET BRETHRENS!

Edit - any questions fire below

Cheers,

Sir Ax