What you can do to find out

RESEARCH - WHAT YOU CAN DO TO FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE OR WANT TO DEVELOP THESE QUALITIES

Do your homework

Understand what investment banking is and what an associate does so that you can decide if it is really for you - one recent grad says, "It ain't all fun and games."

Understanding the different firms so that you can choose well (and be chosen well) - focus on the places where you fit best and go after those firms.

At the CDO, Wet Feet Press and The Vault Reports are invaluable. They are on reserve in the library, but also see their webpages.

See other Resources in the Appendix

Enroll in applicable courses and do well

At SOM, almost all finance and accounting courses are applicable. Strategy courses are also relevant.

Try to do well in finance and accounting.

Join the Finance SIG

This will help you to both make contacts with second years, learn more about what investment is and what a banker does, and help you to learn the differences between the banks.

Calendar

Most large financial services firms have teams focused on recruiting at SOM (usually SOM alumni).

They 'track' each interaction they have with each candidate in a master database, noting the questions the student asks and the overall impression the student made.

Your preliminary work is to meet as many people at the firms you are interested in so you can make their 'closed' interview list. Each firm will receive dozens or hundreds more resumes than they can interview. You need to make yourself known to the bank to ensure you earn an interview spot. All of your work up to and including the submission of resumes & cover letters in December is to make the closed- list

Once you get the interview, the game resets, and your performance in the interview will determine whether or not you get the job

October

Start thinking about your "story". Do not underestimate the importance of your story - potential employers want to know exactly what you are interested in and the steps you have taken to get there

Even if you don't have an airtight "story," make sure you can create one that is supported by your resume

You need to convincingly explain why you want this job, why your background will help you succeed at it, and why you want to work at this firm. "I want to try it out" is a sure way to get dinged.

Attend internship panels and other events sponsored by the Finance SIG

Run your resumes by second years you trust

Attend employer presentations

**It is critical to make a few key contacts at the firms you are targeting; follow up initial meetings with emails and phone calls**

These people will often become your advocates within the firms

It can be hard to get much time with the recruiting team when they are surrounded by dozens of students each trying to get airtime at these cocktail receptions. Just listening to them can be very effective if you get their business card. Follow-up with a concise email and ask your questions then. Assume they will save your emails in their database. If you are not sure what to ask about, just listen to the questions your classmates ask until you begin to develop your own understanding of the industry.

November

Continue to attend employer presentations

Keep in touch with contacts/establish new ones: alumni are your best bet; ask the recruiters to put you in contact with alumni in a department that you are interested in. Bankers are busy people. Alumni will usually take the time to get back to you and share their experiences. Use each conversation as a way to refine your story.

Begin to research the firms you are interested in; forming a team to divide this task is a great idea. A team of 4 to 8 can be very effective if each member takes responsibility for researching 2 or 3 firms.

Attend Days on the Job sponsored by the Finance SIG; again, meet as many professionals as possible. Follow-up with emails & thank you notes, where appropriate

December

Submit resumes & cover letters to the firms you are interested in. If you are a career switcher, cast a wide net and submit resumes to as many firms in your chosen industry as possible. You probably won't get selected to interview for all of them.

Participate in mock interviews

January/February

Once you have been selected for interviews, mock interviewing is the most important preparation you can have. Mock interview each other repeatedly within your team or with other students. On interview day, you may have five to ten interviews in one day. Prepare, prepare, prepare. That many interviews in one day gets tiring.

Review possible interview questions

Follow-up interviews with thank you cards to your interviewers - especially important for the firm you are joining, but generally good practice to develop good will. You may be interviewing with these same people next year.

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eBook	Getting a Job in Investment Banking


Table of Contents WHAT YOU CAN DO TO FIND... Financial links	WHAT YOU CAN DO TO FIND OUT RESEARCH - WHAT YOU CAN DO TO FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE OR WANT TO DEVELOP THESE QUALITIES Do your homework Understand what investment banking is and what an associate does so that you can decide if it is really for you - one recent grad says, "It ain't all fun and games." Understanding the different firms so that you can choose well (and be chosen well) - focus on the places where you fit best and go after those firms. At the CDO, Wet Feet Press and The Vault Reports are invaluable. They are on reserve in the library, but also see their webpages. See other Resources in the Appendix Enroll in applicable courses and do well At SOM, almost all finance and accounting courses are applicable. Strategy courses are also relevant. Try to do well in finance and accounting. Join the Finance SIG This will help you to both make contacts with second years, learn more about what investment is and what a banker does, and help you to learn the differences between the banks. Calendar Most large financial services firms have teams focused on recruiting at SOM (usually SOM alumni). They 'track' each interaction they have with each candidate in a master database, noting the questions the student asks and the overall impression the student made. Your preliminary work is to meet as many people at the firms you are interested in so you can make their 'closed' interview list. Each firm will receive dozens or hundreds more resumes than they can interview. You need to make yourself known to the bank to ensure you earn an interview spot. All of your work up to and including the submission of resumes & cover letters in December is to make the closed- list Once you get the interview, the game resets, and your performance in the interview will determine whether or not you get the job October Start thinking about your "story". Do not underestimate the importance of your story - potential employers want to know exactly what you are interested in and the steps you have taken to get there Even if you don't have an airtight "story," make sure you can create one that is supported by your resume You need to convincingly explain why you want this job, why your background will help you succeed at it, and why you want to work at this firm. "I want to try it out" is a sure way to get dinged. Attend internship panels and other events sponsored by the Finance SIG Run your resumes by second years you trust Attend employer presentations It is critical to make a few key contacts at the firms you are targeting; follow up initial meetings with emails and phone calls These people will often become your advocates within the firms It can be hard to get much time with the recruiting team when they are surrounded by dozens of students each trying to get airtime at these cocktail receptions. Just listening to them can be very effective if you get their business card. Follow-up with a concise email and ask your questions then. Assume they will save your emails in their database. If you are not sure what to ask about, just listen to the questions your classmates ask until you begin to develop your own understanding of the industry. November Continue to attend employer presentations Keep in touch with contacts/establish new ones: alumni are your best bet; ask the recruiters to put you in contact with alumni in a department that you are interested in. Bankers are busy people. Alumni will usually take the time to get back to you and share their experiences. Use each conversation as a way to refine your story. Begin to research the firms you are interested in; forming a team to divide this task is a great idea. A team of 4 to 8 can be very effective if each member takes responsibility for researching 2 or 3 firms. Attend Days on the Job sponsored by the Finance SIG; again, meet as many professionals as possible. Follow-up with emails & thank you notes, where appropriate December Submit resumes & cover letters to the firms you are interested in. If you are a career switcher, cast a wide net and submit resumes to as many firms in your chosen industry as possible. You probably won't get selected to interview for all of them. Participate in mock interviews January/February Once you have been selected for interviews, mock interviewing is the most important preparation you can have. Mock interview each other repeatedly within your team or with other students. On interview day, you may have five to ten interviews in one day. Prepare, prepare, prepare. That many interviews in one day gets tiring. Review possible interview questions Follow-up interviews with thank you cards to your interviewers - especially important for the firm you are joining, but generally good practice to develop good will. You may be interviewing with these same people next year. back to top Next page
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