How to Get into IB in NYC as a Belgian Green Card Holder

Hi All,

As a first post, I would like to share my experience and aspirations.

I am moving this month from Belgium to NYC, as I recently got a Green Card. My professional experience is mainly in operational and corporate finance (focused on FP&A) in Dubai where I stayed 3-4 years. I graduated magna cum laude with a Master in Finance from a top business school in Belgium. I'm also a CFA level III candidate. My goal is to get into IB, with NYC being my preferred location. I studied corporate finance (especially M&A) in detail, so I have a strong theoretical knowledge but obviously very little practice.

Any advice on how to improve my chances to get into IB, especially in NYC? It's a great challenge but I'm ready to face it.

Thanks for your help!

 

Get a MBA from a top US school. Americans won’t recognize European schools so you’ll most likely need to rebrand yourself. Go to a finance-focused elite MBA and you’ll be fine - think Wharton / Booth / CBS / Stern / Cornell

 

You need a top 25 MBA and also need a network so you can get referrals. It's extremely hard to recruit if someone at the company isn't referring you 

 

This is a great market for hiring. I think your least path of resistance is applying to a European bank. European banks will understand your culture and probably know your school. Think Soc Gen, BNP, Natixis, Credit Agricole, etc. I would go on LinkedIn and try to find people from Belgium who are working at those banks in NYC. Maybe try reaching out to someone in Europe to ask about the industry, and then ask if they know someone in US who would be willing to speak with you.

Additionally, try rating agencies. They are bleeding talent, and after a year you should have no problems moving into IB.

 

Here's what he did, and what he recommends to others.

  1. Get an internship early — even if it's not on Wall Street. ...
  2. Make LinkedIn your life. ...
  3. If you can get in with the firm where you intern, then go for it. ...
  4. Send résumés early. ...
  5. And send résumés often. ...
  6. Make Excel your best friend.
 

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