ROLE GUIDE
Networking is the most effective way to land a sales and trading analyst position. This guide covers who to reach out to, what to say, and how to turn conversations into referrals at Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and other top firms.
Industry
Investment Banking
Timeline
Applications open June-August
Interview Type
Markets knowledge, math, situational trading questions
Sales and Trading Analyst positions are among the most competitive roles for college students. At firms like Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, acceptance rates for entry-level programs can be as low as 1 to 3 percent. The students who land these roles almost always have internal connections who advocate for their candidacy. Submitting an application without any networking is significantly less effective.
The recruiting timeline for Sales and Trading Analyst roles is: applications open june-august. This means you need to start building relationships months before applications even open. Early networking gives you a crucial advantage: by the time you apply, you will have insider knowledge about what the firm values, how the interview process works, and who the key decision-makers are. Your network becomes your competitive moat.
First and second-year analysts
Junior analysts at Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley are the most responsive to cold outreach. They went through the same process recently and can give you the most tactical advice.
Associates (3 to 5 years)
Associates have a broader perspective on the firm and can often share insights about team dynamics, deal flow, and what differentiates candidates who succeed.
University alumni in any group
Shared alma mater is the strongest predictor of a response. Even if an alum is in a different group than your target, they can provide warm introductions.
Campus recruiters and HR contacts
While less common for cold outreach, connecting with the campus recruiting team at info sessions gives you a direct line to the people who manage the hiring pipeline.
Here is a proven template specifically designed for students networking into sales and trading analyst roles. Adapt it to your specific situation and always personalize the bracketed sections.
Cold Email Template
Subject: [University] student, question about the sales and trading analyst role at [Company]
___
Hi [First Name],
I'm a [year] at [University] studying [major], and I'm preparing for sales and trading analyst recruiting. I came across your profile and was interested to see that you're a [their role] at [Company]. [One specific, personalized sentence about their background or career path.]
I'm particularly interested in [Company] because [one genuine reason]. I'd love to hear about your experience in the role and any advice you have for someone going through the recruiting process. Would you have 15 minutes for a quick call?
Best,
[Your Name]
[University] '[Grad Year] | [Major]
These are the most sought-after employers for sales and trading analyst roles. Each has a distinct culture, recruiting process, and set of expectations. Networking with employees at each firm will help you understand these differences and tailor your applications accordingly.
Goldman Sachs
JPMorgan
Morgan Stanley
Citadel
Jane Street
January to March (Sophomore Year)
Begin exploratory networking. Reach out to alumni and junior bankers at target firms. No ask beyond coffee chats at this stage.
April to May
Deepen relationships with 3 to 5 key contacts. Attend any bank-sponsored events on campus. Start preparing for technicals.
June to July
Applications open for most summer analyst programs. Reach out to contacts for referrals. Finalize your resume and cover letters.
August to September
Superdays and final interviews at most banks. Leverage your network for last-minute prep and insider tips on the interview process.
Find Sales and Trading Analyst professionals
Search for current and former sales and trading analysts at Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley who share a connection with you. Prioritize alumni and people with 1 to 3 years of experience.
Send personalized outreach
Write a concise email that references the recipient's specific role and experience. Ask for a 15-minute coffee chat to learn about the sales and trading analyst path.
Prepare for and conduct coffee chats
Come prepared with thoughtful questions about the sales and trading analyst experience, the recruiting process, and firm-specific culture. Listen actively and take notes.
Build relationships and request referrals
Follow up within 24 hours with a thank-you note. Stay in touch over weeks and months. When applications open, reach out to ask for referrals from contacts you have built genuine relationships with.
Start networking 3 to 6 months before applications open. For Sales and Trading Analyst roles specifically, applications open june-august. Early networking gives you time to build genuine relationships rather than rushing to ask for referrals when applications are about to close.
Sales and Trading Analyst interviews typically involve markets knowledge, math, situational trading questions. Your networking contacts can provide invaluable, firm-specific insights about what interviewers look for, common questions, and how to prepare. Many students credit their coffee chat contacts with giving them the specific preparation tips that helped them succeed.
Aim to have meaningful conversations with 30 to 50 professionals across your target firms during a full recruiting cycle. This typically yields 3 to 5 deep relationships at each of your top-choice companies, which is enough to understand the firm's culture and secure referrals.
The most sought-after Sales and Trading Analyst positions are at Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, Citadel, Jane Street. However, there are many excellent opportunities beyond these firms. Cast a wide net initially and narrow your focus as you learn more through networking conversations.
Absolutely. In investment banking, networking is often the single most important factor in landing an interview. Referred candidates are 3 to 5 times more likely to receive an interview compared to cold applicants. Building genuine relationships also gives you insider knowledge about the interview process, team culture, and what specific firms value in candidates.
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