The Recruiting Mindset That Earned Her a Junior Year Banking Offer

Episode 48 | May 11, 2026

In Episode 48 of the Coffee Chat Podcast, Ben sits down with Hadley, a sophomore at the University of Illinois who secured a highly competitive junior-year investment banking internship at BMO. Her story isn’t just about technical preparation; it’s about mindset.

Hadley’s journey began with curiosity. Reflecting on her international experiences, she shared, “I had this macro lens… and I knew I wanted something tied to a bigger picture.” That perspective became the foundation of her “Why Investment Banking” narrative, connecting personal experience to the broader M&A landscape.

But what truly set Hadley apart was her approach to recruiting. Rather than waiting for certainty, she committed early: “There’s no risk to trying as long as you give it your all… just go for it.” This action-oriented mindset helped her avoid a common trap, overthinking.

From there, Hadley built technical skills, using structured resources, mock interviews, and even AI tools to deepen her understanding. She emphasized the importance of going beyond memorization: “Ask questions one level deeper… anything to break up the monotony.”

Networking was another differentiator. Starting in October, she consistently scheduled 5–6 coffee chats per week, focusing on building genuine relationships rather than transactional conversations. As she explained, starting early allowed her to reconnect meaningfully before interviews, something many candidates miss.

Throughout the process, Hadley stayed proactive, joining organizations, attending webinars, and following through. Her advice is simple but powerful: “Be part of the 1% that actually reaches out.”

For students navigating investment banking recruiting, Hadley’s story reinforces a key truth: success isn’t just about knowledge, it’s about committing early, staying disciplined, and taking action before you feel fully ready.

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