I’m currently in my second year of business studies and really want to break into investment banking or private equity. The thing is, my resume is pretty much blank when it comes to relevant experience.
Last year I attended a one-day insight program at a major investment bank, but that’s literally all I have. I tried adding some online courses and certifications to make my CV look better, but it didn’t help at all. I didn’t receive a single internship offer.
I’m planning to apply to various investment banks and hedge funds this cycle, but I’m worried I won’t stand out compared to other candidates who probably have much stronger backgrounds.
Has anyone here successfully landed their first finance internship with minimal experience? What strategies worked for you? I’m open to any tips or suggestions on how to make myself more competitive.
You’re overthinking this. I got my first finance internship at a mid-size firm with zero experience - no insight day, nothing. Just be genuinely curious in interviews instead of pretending you know everything. I’d research their recent deals and ask smart questions about how they work. Hit up second or third-year analysts on LinkedIn - they actually remember being new and respond way more than senior people. Keep applying even after deadlines pass. Timing matters more than you think.
Networking plays a crucial role in finance recruitment, particularly for competitive investment banking and private equity positions. While academic performance is important, building relationships can often create opportunities that cold applications cannot. I recommend reaching out to alumni in finance via LinkedIn or your university’s career center. Many will be open to informal chats, especially with fellow alumni.
Additionally, don’t solely focus on large firms. Consider boutique firms, regional banks, and asset management companies. These smaller organizations frequently offer more mentorship and are more likely to consider candidates with limited experience. The skills and connections you develop there can serve as valuable stepping stones to larger institutions in the future. Many successful finance professionals began their careers at smaller firms before transitioning to prominent banks or top private equity firms.
Start applying everywhere now! Your passion really shows and that counts for a lot. Join some finance clubs, hit up networking events, and message recruiters directly. You’re already ahead of the game by starting early!
Welcome to the club - we’ve all been there with blank resumes pretending we know finance. That one-day insight program? Pretty much worthless. You might as well list “watched The Big Short” as experience.
Stop collecting meaningless certificates and start building real skills. Cold email every alumni you can find until someone responds. Apply to everything, even jobs where you don’t meet half the requirements.
And here’s the reality check - you’re not landing Goldman Sachs right out of college, no matter what those LinkedIn gurus promise. Lower your expectations and work your way up.