The Non-Target Playbook
Your step-by-step guide to breaking into investment banking from any university.
Your university doesn't define your ceiling. This guide gives you the exact templates, scripts, timelines, and strategies that non-target students have used to land offers at the top banks. No fluff, no gatekeeping — just the playbook.
The Reality
What target and non-target actually mean, why the gap is closing, and the real barriers you need to overcome.
The Networking Playbook
Cold email templates, LinkedIn scripts, coffee chat frameworks, and a system for building genuine relationships in banking.
CV Positioning
How to frame your non-target experience to stand out, with sample bullet points, cover letter tips, and common mistakes to avoid.
Alternative Routes In
Spring weeks, off-cycle internships, boutique-to-bulge pathways, and which firms are most open to non-target candidates.
Building Your Edge
How to build standout technical skills, start a finance society, enter competitions, and talk convincingly about self-taught knowledge.
The Timeline & Checklist
A year-by-year plan covering networking, applications, technical prep, and backup strategies — with interactive checklists to track your progress.