14 replies to this topic

[willy101]

Hey everyone,

I recently got employed as an employee at a fortune 500 firm for when I graduate. This thread isn't meant for me to brag or fishing for congratulations (though they are appreciated).

I just wanted to give back to the community and offer whatever advice I could since I've seen how tough it is out there. I'll try to answer all questions as long as they aren't too self-identifying.

[ShadowLink64]

Did you have any networking/connections to employees in the company, or did you just submit a resume for their position like anyone else would?

(Just curious. )

[willy101]

Did you have any networking/connections to employees in the company, or did you just submit a resume for their position like anyone else would?

(Just curious. )

For people in college/recent grads the thinking for large companies (think Boeing, Exxon, JP Morgan) is that college kids don't really know anything. The things they're taught in school is learning to learn. These large companies have kickass training programs so it doesn't really matter that you're an art history major and don't know anything about how to value a company for example. They want to see a high GPA (3.5 from a target school) in order to see that you have the base line capabilities of learning the skills required to do the job. The second part is motivation to do the work.

So with that background information in mind, the important thing, if i already have a high gpa, is how to show that you are motivated to do the work. This is where networking/connections come in. If you have someone vouching for you that you are interested well then great, clearly you want to work at the firm.

Personally, I did not know anyone at the company prior to applying. I reached out to alums and asked for informationals (can elaborate on this if curious).

Honestly you don't need connections if your resume clearly shows your motivation and capability. It's really hard for a student to show that just through resume, hence why networking is so important

[Pilot]

What company and which position do you currently hold?

[Random]

For people in college/recent grads the thinking for large companies (think Boeing, Exxon, JP Morgan) is that college kids don't really know anything. The things they're taught in school is learning to learn. These large companies have kickass training programs so it doesn't really matter that 1. you're an art history major and don't know anything about how to value a company for example. They want to see a high GPA (3.5 from a target school) in order to see that you have the base line capabilities of learning the skills required to do the job. The second part is motivation to do the work.

So with that background information in mind, the important thing, if i already have a high gpa, is how to show that you are motivated to do the work. This is where networking/connections come in. If you have someone vouching for you that you are interested well then great, clearly you want to work at the firm.

2. Personally, I did not know anyone at the company prior to applying. I reached out to alums and asked for informationals (can elaborate on this if curious).

Honestly you don't need connections if your resume clearly shows your motivation and capability. It's really hard for a student to show that just through resume, hence why networking is so important

1. Not entirely true in ACC/FIN. I'd say you need to do PPE from a target like Yale or a STEM from any Target for FIN and an accounting background with your 150 credits for ACC.

2. If you have a stellar GPA and good networking skills this is true, but who you know is still so much easier if you know the right people.

Lastly, trust me JP Morgan wants you to have some kind of background...otherwise solid advice.

[willy101]

What company and which position do you currently hold?

bulge bracket bank, investment banking analyst

[cokiwah]

bulge bracket bank, investment banking analyst

Holy shit dude can you get me a job? LOL.

I would love to get an IB or S&T job... but my GPA isn't exactly high due to some personal stuff I went through in the beginning of my university studies...

[luvsmyncis]

Are you male? What is your race?

[tiltedflowers]

I don't know if you know about getting into grad programs, but I thought I might as well ask My college GPA is shit but my resume and portfolio are pretty good... But I'm told that I can't get into MBA programs with a GPA lower than 3.3. Is that true?

[willy101]

Are you male? What is your race?

Male minority

 

Holy shit dude can you get me a job? LOL.

I would love to get an IB or S&T job... but my GPA isn't exactly high due to some personal stuff I went through in the beginning of my university studies...

Lol, I don't really get to look at resume packets or anything like that. As long as you have a 3.5 that's the bare minimum threshold. Extenuating circumstances, you can explain via the cover letter as well as the online forms. Is your school target?

 

I don't know if you know about getting into grad programs, but I thought I might as well ask My college GPA is shit but my resume and portfolio are pretty good... But I'm told that I can't get into MBA programs with a GPA lower than 3.3. Is that true?

This is untrue. I think the most helpful things for me have been talking to people in the know, so I would email MBA program offices or look thru their website for specific stats. Honestly, business programs care most about your experiences over GPA. It's really a balancing act.

 

If anyone wants to PM me about more personal questions feel free. 

[introman]

Oh, well congrats on the job. For any elite firm. There are just a few guidelines you want to follow, if you don't want to get booted within the first month. After i finish my double major, I landed a job for a mid-sized accounting firm.

First thing i got a grip of is never piss off the secretary, they are your life support and bridge to your boss. Get on a first term basis, get on their good side. Or you might find your self never getting promoted. Second is if your asked to do something out of your way for a junior or senior associate in another category of work. DO IT. Friends, connections and those who owe you a favour builds that first stair block in success. Last is once in a while buy something for people, food lunch. Happy people = less work load.  Jobs eventually get easy, people stop giving you a hard time.

[ceterisparibus]

^Seconded, connections are very important to get you to the right people. Networking allows you to go a long way there.

[Hawk]

For people in college/recent grads the thinking for large companies (think Boeing, Exxon, JP Morgan) is that college kids don't really know anything. The things they're taught in school is learning to learn. These large companies have kickass training programs so it doesn't really matter that you're an art history major and don't know anything about how to value a company for example. They want to see a high GPA (3.5 from a target school) in order to see that you have the base line capabilities of learning the skills required to do the job. The second part is motivation to do the work.

So with that background information in mind, the important thing, if i already have a high gpa, is how to show that you are motivated to do the work. This is where networking/connections come in. If you have someone vouching for you that you are interested well then great, clearly you want to work at the firm.

Personally, I did not know anyone at the company prior to applying. I reached out to alums and asked for informationals (can elaborate on this if curious).

Honestly you don't need connections if your resume clearly shows your motivation and capability. It's really hard for a student to show that just through resume, hence why networking is so important

I'm just going to take a second and talk about on a few things as a mechanical engineer undergrad set to graduate in May.

 

1) GPA minimums are highly dependent on where you went to school, your major, and whether or not that school believes in grade inflation.  Also, GPA becomes less relevant with experience in the field.

 

2) Someone comparing JP Morgan, Boeing, and Exxon is business oriented, not engineering oriented, and therefore while the anecdotal post may be applicable to business majors, the people with the technological know-how may be in a slightly different scenario.  Beware, though, that you must still convince the HR personnel to hire you.

 

3)  The one thing  Willy for sure has correct- Good engineering companies do a rotation of positions for entry-level engineers, such that engineers can get a feel for all different facets of the engineering environment.  Typically the different areas (for mechanical) are designing, testing, manufacturing, and quality.  I have seen companies that do between a two and a three year rotation between these positions.

 

4) Projects, besides being good for your resume, often provide the best experience to talk about in interviews.  Don't be a jerk-off all college long.  Get involved.  Engineers, I STRONGLY suggest the SAE projects.  I'm partial to the Formula/Formula Hybrid projects, but the Mini Baja, Supermileage, Aero, Clean Snowmobile Challenge, and CDS competition are all worthwhile.  Do it.  You'll likely learn more than you ever would in your classes, and it'll help you more in the grand scheme of things.  If you want examples you can PM me, and I'll get around to it next time I show up here.

[Xarieste]

My best advice is that you get jobs with the help of people you know. With the job market the way it is today, you have to know somebody.

[willy101]

My best advice is that you get jobs with the help of people you know. With the job market the way it is today, you have to know somebody.

It certainly helps to know someone. Even if it's someone youre not close to. 

http://career-news.h...you-find-a-job/

this study shows that it's actually people who you have weak ties with that push you thru