Investment Banking - Any Advice AppreciatedFollow

I realize this is probably more than a long shot, but on those same lines, I'm doing this for just as much amusement as actual purpose. In that respect, I hope not to offend anyone.

I am an upcoming college senior who is looking to get into the business of Investment Banking and want to take full advantage of every possible connection I may have to help me in this endeavor. Since I used to be a large part of this diverse community, I feel I should leave no stone unturned.

I'm looking for any advice from anyone (preferably from those either working in the field or had some experience with I-banking) as to how to get yourself not only noticed, but recruited and prepared to enter such a competitive career.

Without revealing too much personal information, I'm an Economics major who will be graduating next year from a top college. This upcoming semester I'll be taking the basic accounting and finance courses along with reading up on stock valuation and finance methodology. In addition, I hope to try and utilize every possible outlet for advice or inside connection as to what companies are looking for.


If anyone in this community feels that they could be of assistance or simply wants to reply to this somewhat ridiculous post, please feel free to do so in this forum or contact me personally through private messages.

Thanks!
- Hephaestus

I'm refraining, I really am. The low-blow jokes I could make right about now...

<3

Depends in part if you seek to be a salesman, a strategic planner or an analyst. The following relates to salesman and planners. Analysts might get a looksie with just a BS, but only from a top 5 school, IMO, at top firms. At lower firms, a BS degree from a top 30 school should be okay for an analyst, but salesman and planners should still look for an MBA.

Top investment banking firms (eg, goldman, morgan, even dean witter,) tend to look for masters graduates, not bachelors. They recruit heavily from schools like harvard, stanford, whartons, uni of chicago (my alma mater), etc.

So, if you want a top banking form, continue education and get an mba.

That does not NOT mean you can't get into investment banking in lesser investment banking firms however. It does mean that unless your relatives are working at the top firms or part of a group that rubs elbows with them, that top firms are fairly untouchable with just a bachelors. (Its possible if you have a degree from Harvard or Stanford or Oxford in economics, you might get a look, tho.)

To get into lesser firms, you'll need at least some of the following:

1 great grades (great!)
2 good contacts
3 a good look (handsome, tall, attractive, pretty) and stylish wardrobe
4 confidence and a good voice
5 extreme perserverance
6 a large and diverse business understanding
7 willingness to research
8 ability to play golf or perhaps ski
9 ability to put on a 3 or 4 winning and powerful interviews with top level VPs

Again.. not all of the above, but most will likely be needed. Big negatives in 4,5,6 and 9, are almost impossible to overcome. However, you can still make it so dont give up.

Research the industry heavily (which it seems you might not have done yet.) Understand what it does, who the players are, how they make money, what are the legal and social issues, where they have been and where they are going, what top theories rule the waves in their thinking, etc.

Make a list of 40 top firms you want to try for, then start contacting each on a personal basis either in person or by phone. Letters of introduction are almost a waste of time. You want to establish a personal contact even if its a secretary or assistant.




Edited, Aug 21st 2007 7:28:00pm by Taurusrexx

Edited, Aug 21st 2007 7:32:19pm by Taurusrexx

Edited, Aug 21st 2007 7:33:19pm by Taurusrexx