Sarah Said:

INVESTMENT BANKING????

We Answered:

How are you so set on doing something that you don't fully understand? Just do good in high school and figure it out when you're a senior or when you're starting college.

Warren Said:

What's a good website to find investment banking jobs?

We Answered:

financialjobs.com or something like this, don't remember exactly

Billy Said:

Going to apply for investment banking jobs. Please evaluate my chances.?

We Answered:

I've recruited and hired a few investment banking analysts back when I was in the industry and can tell you what else I would be looking for.

You need to find some experience that you can cast as finance experience. If you've had any internships that deal with finance, find some way of emphasizing that. Without some type of experience that demonstrates your commitment to at least the financial field, you're not likely to get an interview. Perhaps you can join your schools investing club or experiment with the stock market on your own and list it as an interest.

Other than that, I think you're doing all the right things. A good contact at a firm can at least get you in for an interview, and then your chances improve significantly. Get really smart on what it's really like to work at an investment bank and do lots of practice interviews and that will separate you from the other candidates. If you haven't done so already, pick up a copy of the Vault Career Guide to Investment Banking and read it cover to cover and try to absorb everything. Showing confidence and poise in the interview without being cocky will go a long way because there are a lot of smart people who buckle under the pressure.

You might also consider middle market investment banks to increase your chances. You'll just need to have two good answers for why you want to work at a bulge bracket bank or elsewhere.

Keep up the networking, though. The right connection will work wonders. Plus, you'll probably be asked who else you've been talking to, and if you can rattle off a few firms you've had conversations with, it will demonstrate your commitment to the industry and also make firms think that they're in a competition to get you (though you don't want to suggest that).

Good luck!