Quote Originally Posted by NickW View Post
I don't know about Japanese banks, but for virtually all international banks, hiring out of college or b-school is done into a program for analysts / associates (depending on college/b-school). These programs are centrally managed and quite structured. There is virtually no other way to get hired as a new graduate into a bank.

Headhunters will not be interested into talking to you, since banks do not pay referral fees for program hires. Since you have no relevant work experience, not even the more desperate recruitment consultant would be able to jazz up your CV enough to present you as an experienced hire.

Didn't you talk to anyone at ML about how the recruitment process worked? Or did you apply and get rejected?
I can certainly contact ML to find out, I have not applied or been rejected. I was not aware that there was some centrally managed program that is utilized to get new grads jobs at international banks.

  As a new grad, I'm not exactly sure how the hiring process works. I'm not looking for a great job, just any entry level finance related position. I plan on going to grad school in Japan for my MBA, and the program I hope to get into requires 4 years of relevant work experience.  I do have some connections and they are currently looking right now, just thought I would post here to get advice from those who have followed similar paths before me.

  Thanks for the tip, I'll contact my old boss at ML and see what he says.