QuoteOriginally posted by: fais20I refuse to believe that the only method of getting into IB is with the 2.1.I know that I wont get in through graduate recruitment and I honestly dont care about that method. I am sure that over time I will gain expertise and I can apply that knowledge into Investment Banking.Or I could be completely wrong!But all I am wandering is that if there is still hope?Because a little bit of hope is all I need.The only way you might get into an IB with a 2:2 is either being the MDs son, or you get a very high grade MSc froma top uni and apply for a model validation role or something liek that........best of luck

Why do you refuse to believe that to get into an ibank requires a 2:1? LP is absolutely right about the digital checklist from hr at the big ibanks. Think about it this way, what can you give the company that someone who had a more prestigious background cannot? If you say your programming skills are very good, would you say your skills are better than someone who did a masters/phd in comp sci from a top 10 university? The harsh reality is you will not get into a prestigious ibank with that background unless you have VERY good connections. The second part of this harsh reality is that you might not even get into a semi-decent ibank with that background as people who are rejected by the prestigious ibank goes for the smaller bank.I agree with the other opinion on getting just any job to get the foot in the door. Move up the ladder instead of wasting your time thinking that a PhD will somehow guarantee you a job as a quant or something.

Think about it this way, what can you give the company that someone who had a more prestigious background cannot?You must also remember that banks are bullshit. There is little to differentiate them. One of the few things they can, and must, leverage is their people. Telling your clients your team is mostly Oxbridge will more likely impress that saying "yeah good East London and North London Tech guys here with GNVQs in Money Matters", even if they are equally matched in every respect I'd go for the Oxbridge dude.Be a devil's advocate in your mind. RT is right, drastic nepotism is about your only way.As for working your way up pit-style, that's very 80s and there are less opportunities like that now since automation.

A 2nd masters or 2nd undergrad is actually very likely to harm your chances than improving it. The reason is simple: most recruiters will think you're doing it because you failed to secure a job in earlier milkrounds. Doing a Phd is a massive committment, and is not easy. I'm not saying you're not good enough to do one, but doing it for the sake of just getting a job is definitely not a good idea.The easiest way to get into ibank with a 2:2 is via internship, or via a stint at another (probably) small shop. Not only will HR filter out those who are not expected to achieve a 2:1, most will have "2:1 or above" as part of their conditional contract offers.Ibank is not everything. I think you're much better off just getting relevent work experience under your belt at other banks or financial services companies.

Thanks for all of the advice guys. I understand that doing a PhD just to get a job isn't wise at all. I am only going to be 21 when i get my Masters so I have a few years to gain some valuable work experience and some life experience. I might find something else that i may enjoy but if i still want to get into investment banking i could always go for an MBA.I have made enquiries with Cass Business School, Rotman and Schulich and they have all said that as long as I meet the minimum GMAT score and have at least the required number of years of work experience, then I should get into the MBA programme. The only problem with the MBA is obviously the amount it costs. By then I will be older and more maturer.What do you guys think about this option? Do you think that this is a more realistic approach?

And is it still possible to get a Quant job with an MBA?Cheers guys

you are clearly too dumb to get a quant job. ever. no matter what you do.

If you want to stand a chance of even getting to the interview stage for a quant job you will need to have something which sets you apart on your CV e.g. do you have outstanding A-levels like 6 A grades, or were you a member of the Mathematics Olympiad team? Getting a distinction in your Operational Research MSc may help.

you are clearly too dumb to get a quant job. ever. no matter what you do.I don't care if I sound like a Mofo, MonkeyA is right. Even if you aren't dumb - you're too lazy/can't bullshit at the required times.

Cheers guys!

LondonPete- You are absolutley right in saying that I am a lazy sod because I am. I only have myself to blame and thanks for the advice, I'll learn from what you have said.

LondonPete is right for the majority of hiring.But of course you only need one job.You're going to have to kiss a lot of frogs.You're not going to get in through the standard graduate induction programs at large firms.However, trading requires a pile of different skills, and a manager may hire you as a real person if you seem able to do one of the jobs he needs doing. This is why I asked about your C++. All models need translating into some sort of program. More than half what Quants do all day is actually programming. If you can demonstrate very good skills in numerical methods, and a total grasp of every gruesome bit of C++, many banks would hire you. Hard core Excel wouldn't hurt either.

QuoteOriginally posted by: QuantBrokerLondonPete is right for the majority of hiring.But of course you only need one job.You're going to have to kiss a lot of frogs.You're not going to get in through the standard graduate induction programs at large firms.However, trading requires a pile of different skills, and a manager may hire you as a real person if you seem able to do one of the jobs he needs doing. This is why I asked about your C++. All models need translating into some sort of program. More than half what Quants do all day is actually programming. If you can demonstrate very good skills in numerical methods, and a total grasp of every gruesome bit of C++, many banks would hire you. Hard core Excel wouldn't hurt either.Labour market isn't efficient, £20 on the street etc.Look at it like this: are you willing to try your damn hardest (top MSc school, CFA self-study, VBA/C++?) to have a small chance, to be at the bottom rung among incredibly high calibre people? So many top people want to get into IB it's a joke. More apply to IB than any other industry. Why not be the top of the pile in another industry? As you say you are lazy, I'd chose to be the top of the pile elsewhere if I were you. I think QuantBroker is being optimistic - getting chat with the front office by-passing HR is fucking hard. Especially job-wise without experience.

I think QuantBroker is being optimisticGuily as charged.They guy says he's desparate, and given this objective, I think he needs to focus where he can succeed in this area.getting chat with the front office by-passing HR is fucking hard. Especially job-wise without experience. Agreed again. You're going to have to go through HR.You won't enjoy it, and you will fail to get through often.Why not be the top of the pile in another industry? A mediocre person at a bank gets more money than at a s/w firm or other type of business. Job security is not actually that much worse, and s/w houses usually treat employees with far less respect.The shape of the possible income distributions is radically different.If you work in banking there is a much bigger chance that blind luck will let you fall into a niche where you make good money and are well respected.Look at the it job sites. You will see many jobs for banks that require no more maths than appreciation that curves have maxima, sometimes not even that.Work for a firm that makes things, or do IT for mcDonalds, and you will peak at 60k. No amount of luck or work will change that. No matter how good you are at programming McDonalds point of sale devices you will be stuck.

Work for a firm that makes things, or do IT for mcDonalds, and you will peak at 60k. No amount of luck or work will change that. No matter how good you are at programming McDonalds point of sale devices you will be stuck. Is this really true? Maybe I'm being arrogant in thinking that as a PhD student I could do a great job in a bank or other organisation (given a suitable role) and that at some point in the future I will deserve to pick up in excess of £60k pa.