Possible to break in without networking?
Second year at a target. Is it possible to just apply on handshake and company website and get interviews without any networking if I have a decent resume?
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Unlikely but not impossible. Worked for me in getting S&T SA stint, although I am/was lucky for that. Some say that online applications by themselves are the equivalent of throwing your resume into a black hole.
Shoot your shot. You lose nothing by reaching out to people, though. Just try and get your name out there. You have time.
Good Luck.
Thanks. I definitely enjoy reading and learning about finance, but I just feel kinda awkward reaching out just for the sake of "networking". It's not like I don't enjoy talking to people. It just feels too intentional in some ways and I really dislike it. Would you recommend me getting out of my comfort zone and just network?
you will never make it in finance without networking. yes, it's somewhat forced, but some connections you make will be beneficial and it truly does help you get a better idea for a company.
Learning how to network is definitely painful for most people, but you absolutely need to do it - if not for getting a job right now then for later. Your current perspective is probably where most people start.
My guess is that you view 'networking' as probably something like a transactional model where somebody feigns interest in somebody else's life in exchange for a referral - that's what it is for some people, and man is it obvious when they're talking to you. Get beyond that. Instead, learn how to focus conversations on actually learning from this person that does what you want to do.
Definitely give it a shot. My first cold email response, I never replied to once I got asked for my availability because I was so nervous. That was 7 months ago. Today – I've had 130 networking calls and landed a SA. It's daunting at first, but give it a try man. It will only help your chances.
Agreed - unlikely but not impossible. Personally was able to get a couple 1st round interviews w/ 0 networking back when I recruited for SA. Definitely not something to bank on though. It's not even getting an in, it's the advice you'll get along the way that will make you a much stronger interviewee.
SB for that last sentence
From personal experience networking is the optimal route. Introducing yourself to members of your potential team can really help if they like you. At minimum you could find out from networking what to expect in the interview process and it will allow you to prepare much more efficiently.
I go to a target. Got a job at a solid shop (good, not great) without any networking. That being said, I applied to pretty much every bank online (everything from Goldman to no name boutiques), around 50 banking applications, and I got 5 interviews (I'm talking actual phone first rounds or superdays, not counting hirevue) from places I didn't network at. That's a 10% hit rate, which is pretty awful. Definitely better to just network.
The oddest part was that I got interviews at top BBs that I didn't network at, whereas most of the banks I never heard back from were less prestigious- I got a superday invite from JPM but never heard back Nomura, which is just weird.
Same experience as those above.
Go to a target, applied cold through recruiting portal to about tons of FO positions, got selected as a primary for ~40 of them without networking. Some of these were Citi/JPM IBD and similar so it's definitely possible but I wouldn't expect it at all.
Signed with a BB that I networked extensively with though
If you're at a target with a strong resume (GPA, relevant clubs, ib internships, etc) you will most likely get interviews when submitting in HandShake. Always better to network though -- don't be lazy
Interned at a mm bank sophomore year (Piper Jaffray/Raymond James), then interned and accepted full time at a top EB group (Evercore/Lazard). Didn’t network a single time and applied to about 5 banks total in those two years of recruiting. Both offers were the first banks I interviewed with/superdayed with and the first offers I got sophomore and junior year. I got really lucky but it’s definitely possible to get offers with minimal networking or even recruiting if you just know your stuff.
Non-diversity and lower target.
Are you diverse?
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