If you ask a recruiter how to land a great job on Wall Street straight out of college, they'll probably say the best way is through connections and a degree from an Ivy League school, or one of a handful of other elite universities known as 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:target schools.

But not fitting the stereotype isn't a reason to be deterred. While these credentials may open doors, people without these advantages have succeeded on Wall Street. Plenty of Wall Street CEOs had humble beginnings, went to public schools, beat the odds, and worked their way up the ladder. Here is a look at what it takes for an outsider to 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:make it to Wall Street.

First, it's important to understand how these jobs have changed over time. In the past, a college grad vying for a Wall Street job would seek an entry-level analyst position at one of the big investment banks like Goldman Sachs or JPMorgan. But the proliferation of boutique 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:sell-side firms and buy-side asse🌜t management companies, including hedge funds, has altered the defi🍷nition of Wall Street.

So let's take a look at how to get an entry-level job at one of these Wall Street-like firms, including different types of investment firms—most of which are on the buy-side. Just to note, big banks and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:boutiques tend to be the only ones on the sell-side.

1. Prepare in College

College majors like finance, business administration and management, economics, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:accounting, and mathematics are natural fits for Wall Street. However, firms do hire from any major if the candidate understands markets and business. Legendary hedge fund manager 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:George Soros, for example, has both a bachelor’s☂ and a Master of Science degree in philosop🌊hy.

And don't forget: get an internship. It's a crucial step for getting your foot in the door, and firms do hire former interns.

2. Identify a Suitable Position

Determine𒆙 which type of Wall Street job is best suited for you based on your personality and skills.

There are numerous jobs at ♎investment firms, and each has its own characteristics and requires specific skills and trait♋s. These can be broken down into three main categories.

Investment Team

Jobs in this category include research analysts, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:portfolio managers, and traders. At many firms, analysts and portfolio managers are one a൩nd the same, with ꦺportfolio managers often coming up through the ranks of the research arm of the organization.

Skills and traits you need for these jobs include a mathematical and analytical mindset, knowledge of accounting and economics, and the abilitꦯy to focus. Hours are often long.

Members of the team incorporate the most current economic, financial, and company-specific news into an 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:investment thesis and decide which securities to hold, buy, or sell. This group is the hardest to break into at an entry level unless the organization has a multi-layered structure that hires 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:new graduates.

Operations

Positions in operations include client relationship, marketing, risk, legal, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:back-office functions, and other systems. These positi🦋ons are varied and can provide an entry point to an investment organization.

Many of these jobs require some degree of an analytical mind and a self-starter personality. Client teams additionally require strong interpersonal and communication skills along with a distinct understanding of 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:portfolios𝕴 and markets. These jobs ar💫e often fast-paced and demanding.

Sales

This is a broad category. In sell-side firms, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:investment bankers are successful when they build and maintaiꦫn strong relat♉ionships that translate into revenue for the firm.

Necessary traits here bear a strong resemblance to the sales organization that sells the firm’s products: research in the case of the sell-side 🍸or portfolios in the case of the buy-side. Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills are necessary to be successful. While a financial mind is extremely useful here, it is not the most෴ important trait.

These jobs ♊also provide entry points, either as sales assistants or entry-level analysts. The hours are often long, demand intense customer interactions, and require a significant amount of travel. The focus is on building relationships.

3. Make a List of Potential Employers

Generate a list of potential employers that fit your skill set and personality. For instance, if you have a passion for 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:investment banking, make sure you include 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:mergers and acquisition (M&A) firms such as 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:private equity firms or 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:hedge funds. If you 🧔excel in sales, include both the sell- an🍸d buy-side firms in your search.

This list of employers will consider your:

• Skills: College major, skills acquired during internships, and/or work experience
• Personality Traits: Strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, and overall strength of your work ethic
• Goals: What you want to achieve and when you want to achieve it
• Lifestyle: How much you want to work and whether you want to travel

When generating a list of potential employers, don’t forget companies that may participate in investing in the markets but that aren't overtly known as asset managers. Such employers may help you get a foot in the finance door and eventually launch you into a more conventional Wall Street position.

Examples include insurance companies, a local government treasurer’s office, or small accounting firms that offer 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:investment advice and products. Large companies, such as General Electric or Ford, have asset management arms that manage internal 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:pension plans. Even your college or university may have an 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:endowment fund that offers internships and entry-♏level positions.

And do your research. Make sure you know the most ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚimportant details about 🥀each company. Be prepared.

4. Apply for a Position

Start your job search. Call companies and send out résumés. Take advantage of résumé and job search tools, 𒁏such as Linked▨In.

If you're still in college, apply for internships. If you've graduated and cannot secure a front office, entry-level Wall Street job, consider applying for a support position.

Former president and CEO of HSBC USA Irene Dorner got her start as an in-house lawyer for a bank. There are numerous examples of people who started out in operations and moved into other parts of an organization.

Risk is an area that has garnered a great deal of attention since the global financial crisis of 2008. This area has transitioned from operations into the investment team in many organizations. Client 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:relationship managers have skills that parallel sales, and often these🍸 two functions share mobility. There have also been examples of administrative assistants moving into marketing roles.

The ꧋key is to have the required skills and education to be able to propel yourself to the next level.

5. Network Constantly

Even when you are not actively applying for a position, continue to network. This is where 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:social media can be extremely useful. Use your network to find someone who knows someone who can mak🤪e a useful introduction or serve as a mentor. You can join groups related to your✨ job search on LinkedIn as a start. But you can also search for social groups with financial industry experts on Facebook.

Often overlooked, meetup groups are another way to help expand your base of network contacts. Depending on where you live, you may find regular events in your area for like-minded individuals you can meet in person in a social setting. This is a great way to get your ꦐface and name out there to people who may be able to help you out in your job search.

Another helpful activity is to join a local trade association. If you live in the New York area, for example, and have your sights set on becoming a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:security analyst, consider joining the New York Society of Security Analysts. If you are not in New York, find your local chapter. These types of associations can lead to invaluablꦉe networking opportunities.

The Bottom Line

Landing a glamorous investment banking analyst position at a large bank on Wall Street right out of college mღay not be realistic. But Wall Street success stories follow many trajectories. Consider working for a boutique firm or a large corporation or pursue any opportunity that promi🧸ses to provide experience in finance and eventual connections to Wall Street. Be persistent and cast a wide net.