How Candidates Get Cut Early in IB Recruiting

Investment banking recruiting starts well before the formal interview. Information sessions, outreach emails, coffee chats, and follow-ups may feel informal, but bankers are already evaluating whether they want to move you forward. In this session, we'll break down what happens when recruiting begins and explain the unwritten rules candidates are expected to understand. We'll cover information sessions, coffee chats, outreach, follow-ups, and the small mistakes that can quietly remove candidates from consideration. You'll leave knowing what to expect, how to navigate the early stages of recruiting, and how to make a strong impression without sounding rehearsed or transactional. You'll learn how to: - Understand the recruiting process once school begins - Approach information sessions and bank presentations - Write effective outreach and follow-up messages - Prepare for and lead strong coffee chats - Recognize what bankers are evaluating during informal interactions - Avoid the mistakes that get candidates cut before interviews