FEATURED Size Me Up For Getting In

[Trigger1]

Title says it all. If you'd love to have some feedback on the chances of breaking into a certain role given your current situation/background, fire away at this thread!

 

[Baz1]

Hi, comming from a semi target (KCL) with no finance related work xp, what are my chances?

 

[Trigger1]

Hi, comming from a semi target (KCL) with no finance related work xp, what are my chances?

Depends: what other stuff do you have on your CV?

 

[Baz1]

Depends: what other stuff do you have on your CV?

Stuff like did a research placement in a university making auxetic carbonfibre and publishing a report also a national finalist at a national science comp. at the Exel in London. Mainly acedemic.

Done a bit of cricket coaching.

Code html, make webpages.

 

[Baz1]

It depends on what the other parts of your application are like (ECs, Grades, Motivations), it will be hard for you to write a convincing CL without relevant experience but not impossible. What other things have you done?

Got AAA at A-levels, studying theoretical Physics. Motivation want to get some experiance and try something outside of scientific reseach, probably not good enough so I might have to change it!

 

[Trigger1]

Stuff like did a research placement in a university making auxetic carbonfibre and publishing a report also a national finalist at a national science comp. at the Exel in London. Mainly acedemic.

Done a bit of cricket coaching.

Code html, make webpages.

That's actually not bad at all (that carbonfibre stuff sounds interesting), you could definitely tweak these things into a way you can sell yourself. If you polish your CV to a max extent, get the competency questions right and prepare for online tests, you definitely have a chance at landing interviews. And yes you should work on crafting your story - gotta come up with some legit reason (other than just "trying something outside of science") on why banking/trading/whatever role you are aiming for.

 

[Baz1]

Oh, nice made like a proper scientific report, so I have evidance. The placement was for one month btw.

The webpages were mainly for like practise, made one for a cabinets company though which is doing reasonably well.

Also done some odd retail jobs.

Invested in a few stocks and virtual currency.

I want to go for IB but I know its more competitive.

 

[Trigger1]

IB and S&T are the same competitive, no difference between them. A few things:

- You should sit down, write everything out and see in which role you had the most responsibility (you have limited space on your CV so you need to prioritize). Creating a draft CV by the M&I template is a good start.

- Once you are at KCL make sure you join the finance club, they will help making the bulletpoints of your resume more punchy.

- You have a strongly quantitative background and would like to go into banking: it might be a good idea to reach out to people on LinkedIn who made the exact same jump. Start by alumni, probably a few of them will be glad to help you.

 

[Baz1]

IB and S&T are the same competitive, no difference between them. A few things:

- You should sit down, write everything out and see in which role you had the most responsibility (you have limited space on your CV so you need to prioritize). Creating a draft CV by the M&I template is a good start.

- Once you are at KCL make sure you join the finance club, they will help making the bulletpoints of your resume more punchy.

- You have a strongly quantitative background and would like to go into banking: it might be a good idea to reach out to people on LinkedIn who made the exact same jump. Start by alumni, probably a few of them will be glad to help you.

Thanks you have been very helpful, however I do think the CV on M&I is a bit advanced for me yet as I dont have much previous experiance, also I am starting in september so I do not have my course marks but will learn how to code in different languages, so it would probably be better for applications to summer positions.

Will also be attending networking event such as the bright futures one where many of the big banks will be attending.

Also it may sound bad now, but I rejected UCL for KCL as their Physics course is more rigerous as the grades for both were the same.

 

[Trigger1]

Thanks you have been very helpful, however I do think the CV on M&I is a bit advanced for me yet as I dont have much previous experiance, also I am starting in september so I do not have my course marks but will learn how to code in different languages, so it would probably be better for applications to summer positions.

Will also be attending networking event such as the bright futures one where many of the big banks will be attending.

Also it may sound bad now, but I rejected UCL for KCL as their Physics course is more rigerous as the grades for both were the same.

Knowing how to code in Python or C++ in itself won't help you much (basically at all) in landing an internship in banking (in trading it might have been different).

I know this is obvious but if you want to have the same career prospects you gotta make up for it, right? After all you decided to go the easier way.

 

[Bushido Brown1]

Hi,

Can you chance me please?

I'm off to Queen Mary university of London to study Mathematics this September. I've got average A-levels (A*AB), and failed to get into a target by 1 grade. All else equal, given that Mathematics is a solid subject will I be at a big disadvantage by going to Queen Mary and not my original choice UCL for Computer Science?

Thanks.

Quick question: Is Queen Mary regarded as a semi-target?

 

[Mr. Exclusive1]

Hi,

Can you chance me please?

I'm off to Queen Mary university of London to study Mathematics this September. I've got average A-levels (A*AB), and failed to get into a target by 1 grade. All else equal, given that Mathematics is a solid subject will I be at a big disadvantage by going to Queen Mary and not my original choice UCL for Computer Science?

Thanks.

Quick question: Is Queen Mary regarded as a semi-target?

Not really. There is nothing to suggest that the university itself gives a candidate a better chance at IB than any other university. This is a difficult question because while it will be very difficult, it really depends on what you actually do at university and your profile overall. A post went up the other day with a link to some statistics stating that "University Reputation" is what employers worry about least and other factors such as work experience carry a lot more weight.

 

[Trigger1]

Hi,

Can you chance me please?

I'm off to Queen Mary university of London to study Mathematics this September. I've got average A-levels (A*AB), and failed to get into a target by 1 grade. All else equal, given that Mathematics is a solid subject will I be at a big disadvantage by going to Queen Mary and not my original choice UCL for Computer Science?

Thanks.

Quick question: Is Queen Mary regarded as a semi-target?

The difference between UCL and Queen Mary is huge. To appropriately chance you, tell us more about your exact profile. What does your CV consist of?

 

[yl951]

Incoming fresher from a target, hardly any exp (wouldn't count the few insight days I went to - one at GS, one at JPM) , v. quantitative degree, not really sure about division still (depends on which half of my degree I want to take), quite a few academic achievements + EC achievements.

 

[makrxx1]

Would be going to Manchester doing BA Finance/Economics & Finance. Did a Diploma in Banking & Finance previously.

Have done an internship in a securities firm handling mostly corporate action. Participated in couple of trading comps, not finalists but top 10. Only came in as finalist for a futures trading competition.

Heavily involved in my community/volunteering. Set up the Youth division of it, handled/organized many events etc.

What are my chances at all?

 

[Trigger1]

Incoming fresher from a target, hardly any exp (wouldn't count the few insight days I went to - one at GS, one at JPM) , v. quantitative degree, not really sure about division still (depends on which half of my degree I want to take), quite a few academic achievements + EC achievements.

I get that your a female (GS doesn't host these for males)? Thing is it's much easier to break into the industry as a female. There are exlusive programmes for you, you can network much easier, and there's also much less competition between gals (yet they hire as many as males). Not to mention you go to a target and it seems you have the ECs too. You'll be more than fine I can tell you that, just put the effort into it.

Would be going to Manchester doing BA Finance/Economics & Finance. Did a Diploma in Banking & Finance previously.

Have done an internship in a securities firm handling mostly corporate action. Participated in couple of trading comps, not finalists but top 10. Only came in as finalist for a futures trading competition.

Heavily involved in my community/volunteering. Set up the Youth division of it, handled/organized many events etc.

What are my chances at all?

Send me your CV in PM it depends on how extensive these stuff are. Nevertheless it's not a bad profile at all - you can have a reasonable chance.

 

[Ironmike1]

What about me sir?

I'm probably the worst candidate on paper but I know I can still get into BB with some tweaking.

Alevels - BBD (Yeah I was ridiculously deluded)
University - 1st class in finance from Coventry university

Personal : Competed in boxing for my university, have an instagram page based on boxing with 23k followers - I really love the sport. Started my own startup in my 2nd year of university : It gained a lot of interest but it still failed nonetheless. Oh yeah and I'm one of those lucky people who knew about bitcoin when they were worth $50, bought a few and sold it the week it surpassed the price of Gold.. Did a presentation in class explaining bitcoins to my lecturer and classmates at one of my Banking lectures and the lecturer did not know what bitcoin was :/

Was fun... Anyways sorry for the rambling - What are my chances of getting into IB? I have been cold calling VP's via Linkedin and in the past week, 3 of them have asked me to send my CV via email which i did. Out of the three, two of them stated that they will be speaking to HR about me .. Its been a week and I haven't heard anything since then.. I only asked for a 1 week job shadowing.

 

[Trigger1]

Hmm.. Those A Levels are very shitty and your uni brand name is obviously not the greatest either -> not the kind of guy I'd like to work with or give responsibility to.

Indeed you have some interesting stuff (I dig that instagram boxing thing), but you shouldn't forget you are quite not the only one who has interesting stuff on their CVs. Even so, others have stellar academics and WAY better/more rigorous unis as well.

Keep in mind those VPs have a lot of stuff going on and some random uni kid is last on their priority list. I'd say wait another week, and then connect with them again - if they don't respond even after that, move on and work other contacts.

All in all I'd say your only realisic chance is to get into a good masters programme to rebrand yourself - not sure if networking could make up for your current situation, but let's hear @Paul Allen out.

 

[yl951]

I get that your a female (GS doesn't host these for males)? Thing is it's much easier to break into the industry as a female. There are exlusive programmes for you, you can network much easier, and there's also much less competition between gals (yet they hire as many as males). Not to mention you go to a target and it seems you have the ECs too. You'll be more than fine I can tell you that, just put the effort into it.


Send me your CV in PM it depends on how extensive these stuff are. Nevertheless it's not a bad profile at all - you can have a reasonable chance.

Thanks - yeah, there are tonnes of programmes for females, haha, so I might as well use that advantage (sorry, guys). Should I put programming experience? (Haskell, Java) At the moment, it's elementary but am learning quite quickly and I'm doing it at university anyway.
In terms of sending off applications, how many should I aim to send off?

 

[Trigger1]

By all means put it. Just write "Basic Haskell/Java skills" -> won't help much for banking, but if you are applying for S&T it definitely will to some extent. BTW I'd much rather concentrate on VBA if I were you - unless you end up on a desk which 1. either trades more technical products 2. or just something on the spot (cash equities), that's what you'll use.

There's quite a good amount of luck involved in apps, so you must aim for as many as you can but obviously quality over quantity.

 

[CTRL ES1]

What about me sir?

I'm probably the worst candidate on paper but I know I can still get into BB with some tweaking.

Alevels - BBD (Yeah I was ridiculously deluded)
University - 1st class in finance from Coventry university

Personal : Competed in boxing for my university, have an instagram page based on boxing with 23k followers - I really love the sport. Started my own startup in my 2nd year of university : It gained a lot of interest but it still failed nonetheless. Oh yeah and I'm one of those lucky people who knew about bitcoin when they were worth $50, bought a few and sold it the week it surpassed the price of Gold.. Did a presentation in class explaining bitcoins to my lecturer and classmates at one of my Banking lectures and the lecturer did not know what bitcoin was :/

Was fun... Anyways sorry for the rambling - What are my chances of getting into IB? I have been cold calling VP's via Linkedin and in the past week, 3 of them have asked me to send my CV via email which i did. Out of the three, two of them stated that they will be speaking to HR about me .. Its been a week and I haven't heard anything since then.. I only asked for a 1 week job shadowing.

You have a huge uphill battle. Your hill sprints and circuit sessions are a walk down a steep hill compared to what you're up against.

Your background, academics aside, doesn't lend itself to anything spectacular. IG follower numbers don't turn heads. The bitcoin stuff on the other hand is a good talk point but not a CV bullet.

VP's arent't the people you need to call. You've literally picked middle of the pack management who are in tugging war between still having associate responsibilities (i.e. checking work and giving general direction to juniors) and trying to cultivate client relationships (see what kind of bone a director or MD will throw them). Unless you find a VP who is active in recruiting, you won't have much luck. Either go to the bottom of the ladder and find a senior analyst or associate OR find an MD/group head who can make things happen and go to bat for you.

As mentioned by @lofaszjoska, a masters is your best route. People in the city have come from the likes of Liverpool and Lancaster by doing a masters. It doesn't have to be a finance masters but right now, you need a decent name on your CV. Even if you get this, your A levels still might go against you but you need to network and that's exactly what a brand name masters gives you.

If a masters isn't a feasible option, take something in MO/BO and start the long hustle of trying to break into FO. You generally want an angle into the finance industry and so any job will suffice in helping to make your academic section a moot point.

Your chances a really, really slim, but that isn't to say it's impossible. Network like a beast, don't take no for an answer and if you have to work for free for a few weeks to prove yourself, do it. Make a list every single financial services firm in London (avoid the BB's and elite boutiques unless your masters is secured) and work down that list. Email and follow it up by a call. Make sure your email is water tight. Don't give people your life story but rather, keep it short and snappy. At this stage, networking becomes tactical. You don't approach the kind of guys who look at stellar academics as the means of ones ability and worth (even though they have an argument in some circles). You want to find someone who comes from a similar background. Someone who's had to work very hard to get where they are. Ultimately, you want someone to see value in you that your CV doesn't necessarily encapsulate. If you can get through to someone in that manner, you might just have a chance.

 

[Ironmike1]

Hmm.. Those A Levels are very shitty and your uni brand name is obviously not the greatest either -> not the kind of guy I'd like to work with or give responsibility to.

Indeed you have some interesting stuff (I dig that instagram boxing thing), but you shouldn't forget you are quite not the only one who has interesting stuff on their CVs. Even so, others have stellar academics and WAY better/more rigorous unis as well.

Keep in mind those VPs have a lot of stuff going on and some random uni kid is last on their priority list. I'd say wait another week, and then connect with them again - if they don't respond even after that, move on and work other contacts.

All in all I'd say your only realisic chance is to get into a good masters programme to rebrand yourself - not sure if networking could make up for your current situation, but let's hear @Paul Allen out.

Hi,

Thanks for your swift response ; yeah I know I messed up earlier in life but I am trying to make up for it. I have applied to some boutique firms who did not even require my Alevel grades and I still got rejected based on my Lack of experience in the finance world. (The closest thing I have is a accounting role at a charity organisation which lasted 3yrs)

Anyways, one of the VP's responded to me today - He said that HR told him that I can't get a Job shadowing experience as i am no longer an undergrad; the VP then proceeded to give me a link to one of their application forms for an internship or something. He said that it was my best option. But I know I will get filtered out automatically once I input these poor Alevel Grades in the form. VP doesn't know my Alevel grades, just knows I got a 1st class from my non target University.

I do know someone who went to London met, got an internship at JP and worked there - Wonder how she did it, she was a foreign student too.

But I am going to take your advice and pursue a masters for next year as it's too late to apply for any masters programme this year.

 

[Ironmike1]

You have a huge uphill battle. Your hill sprints and circuit sessions are a walk down a steep hill compared to what you're up against.

Your background, academics aside, doesn't lend itself to anything spectacular. IG follower numbers don't turn heads. The bitcoin stuff on the other hand is a good talk point but not a CV bullet.

VP's arent't the people you need to call. You've literally picked middle of the pack management who are in tugging war between still having associate responsibilities (i.e. checking work and giving general direction to juniors) and trying to cultivate client relationships (see what kind of bone a director or MD will throw them). Unless you find a VP who is active in recruiting, you won't have much luck. Either go to the bottom of the ladder and find a senior analyst or associate OR find an MD/group head who can make things happen and go to bat for you.

As mentioned by @lofaszjoska, a masters is your best route. People in the city have come from the likes of Liverpool and Lancaster by doing a masters. It doesn't have to be a finance masters but right now, you need a decent name on your CV. Even if you get this, your A levels still might go against you but you need to network and that's exactly what a brand name masters gives you.

If a masters isn't a feasible option, take something in MO/BO and start the long hustle of trying to break into FO. You generally want an angle into the finance industry and so any job will suffice in helping to make your academic section a moot point.

Your chances a really, really slim, but that isn't to say it's impossible. Network like a beast, don't take no for an answer and if you have to work for free for a few weeks to prove yourself, do it. Make a list every single financial services firm in London (avoid the BB's and elite boutiques unless your masters is secured) and work down that list. Email and follow it up by a call. Make sure your email is water tight. Don't give people your life story but rather, keep it short and snappy. At this stage, networking becomes tactical. You don't approach the kind of guys who look at stellar academics as the means of ones ability and worth (even though they have an argument in some circles). You want to find someone who comes from a similar background. Someone who's had to work very hard to get where they are. Ultimately, you want someone to see value in you that your CV doesn't necessarily encapsulate. If you can get through to someone in that manner, you might just have a chance.

Hi,

Thanks for your response, I only listed the IG follower, startup and Bitcoins as those are the only interesting things I have done so far. I agree with you and @lofaszjoska , I will be starting a masters next year ; as its too late to do one now. But I did not realize that it doesn't have to be in finance! That's interesting.

But whilst I wait for next year, In the meantime i am going to follow your second advice and try to pursue MO and BO roles. I have tried the cold calling and cold emailing route and It got me one informational interview, he never at any point requested my alevel grades, he just asked me if i studied anything finance related at University. But it ended there; he said his team wasn't looking for an intern at the moment.

Maybe I should keep trying that as well as looking for BO and MO roles.

Thanks for the advice, it is greatly appreciated.

 

[CTRL ES1]

Keep looking. Honestly, people bash MO and BO but its not rare at all to find someone on a trading or banking floor who came from there. There are small advisory firms who operate as a firm of 30 people or less. They are hard to get in touch with but they sometimes take interns on a long-term basis to help seniors out. Sometimes the work isn't as important as a recommendation can be.

It's a long, drawn out process but 2/3 years of sacrifice is worth it if that's what you really want.

 

[T771]

Isn't it insanely hard to go into FO from BO or MO? That is what I heard.

 

[Ironmike1]

Keep looking. Honestly, people bash MO and BO but its not rare at all to find someone on a trading or banking floor who came from there. There are small advisory firms who operate as a firm of 30 people or less. They are hard to get in touch with but they sometimes take interns on a long-term basis to help seniors out. Sometimes the work isn't as important as a recommendation can be.

It's a long, drawn out process but 2/3 years of sacrifice is worth it if that's what you really want.

Yes, I just pulled a directory of financial services in London and i am preparing a spreadsheet for cold calling tomorrow.

However I have a question. Usually when i called the BB's - This was what I usually said to the VP's or MD's that picked up.

"Hi my name is xxx and I have just received my final year results, I got a 1st class in financial economics and I was wondering If I could shadow you or one of your analyst at work for a few days to a week?"

This is what got me that informational interview and some "send me your CV i'll see what I can do" but i'm beginning to think that the line is not effective - Recently a VP from Goldman just said "Why don't you just apply online or email HR". I said something about there not being a formal application for Job shadowing, and she said "well Job shadowing is for pre-university students only".

It was rude, but I sucked it up and ended the conversation. I know you said I should not call BB's anymore, rather I should aim for smaller boutiques, but can you advice me on what I should say this time?

I don't think my whole shadowing pitch was good enough.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Aspiring member1]

I am aiming to pursue a career in banking and finance. However I realise my grades and academics are going to hold me back, as well as my experience. Was wondering how I can boost my CV?

• A Levels - BCC
• LLB (Hons) degree at BPP Law School. So far, passed first year with a 2:2. However, I did score one of the highest marks in Business Law (76%).

Academics aside, I have some legal experience. So far, I have completed an internship at a regional law firm doing Immigration work one day a week during my first year. I was drafting legal submissions to the Home Office, working with solicitors on immigration cases and performing extensive legal research. I have also completed a years' Apprenticeship in a law firm in my gap year. Mainly administrative tasks, but also advised clients on property and wills.
Also managed to fundraise £2000 for a community service trip in India during sixth form.

Was just wondering what my chances are for securing a position in the banking sector. I realise its stiff competition, but what internships or work should I be aiming for in the next two years of university? Appreciate your help.

 

[CTRL ES1]

Yes, I just pulled a directory of financial services in London and i am preparing a spreadsheet for cold calling tomorrow.

However I have a question. Usually when i called the BB's - This was what I usually said to the VP's or MD's that picked up.

"Hi my name is xxx and I have just received my final year results, I got a 1st class in financial economics and I was wondering If I could shadow you or one of your analyst at work for a few days to a week?"

This is what got me that informational interview and some "send me your CV i'll see what I can do" but i'm beginning to think that the line is not effective - Recently a VP from Goldman just said "Why don't you just apply online or email HR". I said something about there not being a formal application for Job shadowing, and she said "well Job shadowing is for pre-university students only".

It was rude, but I sucked it up and ended the conversation. I know you said I should not call BB's anymore, rather I should aim for smaller boutiques, but can you advice me on what I should say this time?

I don't think my whole shadowing pitch was good enough.

Thanks for the help.

He wasn't being rude. At university and post university level, you either intern or you work. Shadowing is a bullshit term for "I know you're trying to figure your life out at the age of 17/18...just make it less painful for me and watch what I do."

The reason why I say avoid BBs is because they have a formal and structured application and internship process. Shadowing doesn't fit into that equation. A small boutique might be more inclined to alleviate their workload by taking someone on during the year. You're not eligible for either an internship or a grad job considering you're not on masters course this year. Once you get on that masters course, cold call these BBs and the situation will play itself out differently.

 

[Lekel941]

Firstly,i am from elsewere in Europe,alreay done an year of college in my country in engineering.

My final marks at the end of highschool were (1-10 scale):
-Maths 9.50
-Physics 9.70(my optional)
-Native language 7.6 (its mandatory for everyone and i really suck at it,could have easily scored 9+ at chemistry,biology,economy and others...)

Here are my options so far:

Nottingham:
This is what the advisor told me:
-For Finance,Acc and Management(AAB course), i need 7.5 and above on average to "get a place" at their course.
-For Financial Math(A*AA-AAA) , i need 8 and over with 9 at maths.


LSE (the grades are from their site,specifically for my country):
-Management or Econ with Econ history are AAB grades and according to their site ,for my country,i need usually 8 and above.(For A*AA-AAA) they require 9 and above.
As you can see universities have different grade conversions rate ,but i've seen so far that all top 10 consider 9 as A and 9.5 as A*

-Last option is most likely Manchester(anything from econ to finance and math) as their standards are a little lower than Nott's.


As "academical background" i have only done a bitcoin to paypal monetary exchange site which made me some bucks.So ya,i kinda suck at this chapter..

I dont necessary target FO (even thought it would be my principal target), i can settle for big 4 and middle/back offices too with absolutely no regret.
What do you recommend me?I dont wanna fail miserably.

 

[Trigger1]

Uh, get your thoughts together and write it out coherently first.