You don’t have bulge brackets lining up at your career fair.
You don’t have alumni at every top Wall Street desk.
You may not even have an investment banking club.
But here’s the thing: none of that means it’s impossible. In fact, many MBA graduates from non-target programs land investment banking jobs every year — not because they got lucky, but because they outworked everyone else.
So, if you’re asking “How to get started in investment banking after MBA?”, here’s your non-target roadmap — tested, practical, and brutally honest.
Step 1: Own the Reality — and Flip the Script
The first thing to understand: yes, you're starting at a disadvantage. But your mindset can turn it into an advantage.
Where others feel entitled, you’ll be hungry.
Where others are passive, you’ll be aggressive.
Where others coast on brand name, you’ll lead with results.
This chip on your shoulder? It's fuel. Use it.
Step 2: Master the Fundamentals — Now, Not Later
You won’t get a second chance at a first impression — especially if you don’t have a school name doing the heavy lifting.
You need to be rock-solid on technicals:
- Understand how the three financial statements connect
- Know how to build a DCF, trading comps, and precedent transaction analysis
- Be able to explain enterprise value vs. equity value without hesitation
- Master LBO concepts, even if you're not targeting private equity
Start with courses like Breaking Into Wall Street, Wall Street Prep, or Corporate Finance Institute.
By the time interviews roll around, you should be sharper than your target-school peers.
Step 3: Build a “Bulletproof” Resume
You’re not going to get away with a generic MBA resume. You need to show, not tell:
Finance-focused coursework
Deal-related internships or part-time roles
Valuation projects or student fund experience
Relevant certifications (CFA Level I, Excel modeling, etc.)
If you don’t have finance experience, go create it:
- Intern part-time at a boutique bank during the semester
- Volunteer on a pro bono valuation project for a startup
- Join or launch an investment fund at your MBA program
Bankers love initiative. Your resume should scream: “I didn’t wait to be invited to the table — I built my own.”
Step 4: Build a Guerrilla Networking Strategy
No OCR? No problem. It’s time to hit the pavement — virtually and physically.
Start with these steps:
- Identify alumni from your school (or undergrad) in IB roles using LinkedIn.
- Expand to second- and third-degree connections in the industry.
- Craft a killer outreach message:
“Hi [Name], I’m currently pursuing my MBA at [School] with a focus on investment banking. I’m building my understanding of the industry and would truly value your perspective on your role and how you made the transition. Would you be open to a 15-minute call this week?”
- Track every connection in a spreadsheet
- Follow up after every call with a thank-you + relevant update later
You might need 100+ networking calls to land interviews — but this is the path.
Step 5: Find (or Create) Interview Opportunities
Banks may not recruit at your campus, but there are still ways in:
- Off-cycle hiring – Many boutiques and middle-market firms hire year-round.
2. Diversity recruiting programs – These can offer early access to internships.
3. Summer internships at smaller firms – Can lead to full-time offers or give you credibility to lateral.
4. Cold emailing partners at boutique banks – Especially in regional cities where competition is lower.
Pro tip: Always have a 3-sentence pitch ready for why you’re reaching out, what you offer, and what you’re seeking.
Step 6: Treat Interviews Like a High-Stakes Sport
You don’t have the luxury of “figuring it out as you go.” When you get an interview — phone, Zoom, or superday — you need to crush it.
Practice over and over again:
- “Walk me through your resume”
- “Why investment banking?”
- “Walk me through a DCF”
- “Tell me about a time you worked under pressure”
Mock interview with classmates, alumni, or paid coaches. Record yourself. Eliminate filler words. Be confident, concise, and compelling.
Step 7: Don’t Wait for Full-Time — Secure the Internship First
Your best shot into IB is through the summer internship route. Banks prefer to convert interns into full-time hires rather than recruiting from scratch.
Even if you’re in a one-year MBA, prioritize:
- Winter internships
- Spring analyst roles
- Off-cycle summer analyst positions
Once you’ve got your foot in the door, you’re no longer a non-target. You’re just a banker-in-training.
Step 8: Be the Best Intern They’ve Ever Had
If you do land that IB internship, remember: you're on a 10-week audition.
Do these things well, and you’ll get the offer:
- Over-communicate with your associate and VP
- Never turn in work with mistakes — check, double-check, triple-check
- Make people’s lives easier — not harder
- Ask for feedback and act on it fast
Leave no doubt that you’re not just a non-target MBA — you’re a high-performance asset.
Final Thoughts
So, how to get started in investment banking after MBA — from a non-target school?
Acknowledge the uphill climb
Overcompensate with preparation and drive
Build a powerful narrative and network
Hustle your way into internships and interviews
Deliver excellence when it counts
You won’t get handed anything — but you can earn everything.
From a non-target MBA and aiming for Wall Street? Drop your questions or school name in the comments, and I’ll share a personalized networking strategy to help you get started.