How I got into Goldman Sachs after messing up my grades

I made this video for all of you who requested advice for students and graduates who didn’t get the best grades but want to break into to investment banks, finance, asset management firms and consulting firms. Rest assured, it’s definitely possible and not the end of the world if you don’t get the best grades.
Areas I touch on in this video include what to do if you didn’t get into your first choice of university, how to strategize your time at university when it comes to applying for spring weeks, internships and graduate schemes, what to do and focus on if you didn’t get your grades, the benefits of not going to a top tier university when applying to investment banks like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, and others, alternative options for securing offers in investment banking, finance and consulting, and more.
Before I got into university I completed messed up my AS grades. I thought I had no chance of securing any internship let alone graduate scheme offers. However, with the tips shared in this video I managed to secure lots of spring weeks at firms like BlackRock, RBS, PwC and EDF Trading, an internship at Goldman Sachs and then managed to convert that internship into a full-time offer within Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
I hope you can learn a thing or two from this video that will help you on your journey to securing top offers and succeeding in the world of work. Do consider giving this video a thumbs up and subscribing to the channel in order to help the channel grow and allow me to continue to create content for a growing audience of ambitious individuals interested in banking, finance, careers, and more.
Thanks for passing by. Enjoy!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Intro
00:37 - I didn’t get into my first choice university
01:08 - What to do if you didn’t get your grades
03:33 - The strategy to use whilst in university
05:45 - What to do if you still haven’t secured an offer
07:12 - Career are long so play the long game
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ABOUT ME:
Hey! I'm Afzal Hussein. I make videos on banking and finance, careers, productivity and lifestyle. I'm also building Simpley (a marketplace for career advice), and I teach on Skillshare. Before all of this I started my career working at an investment bank called Goldman Sachs. Hit the various links above to find out more about me. Thanks for passing by!
#Failure #GoldmanSachs #InvestmentBanking

[@user-we1sv5ud3h]

Keynes also said in the long run we are all dead

[@eeekkk34235]

I was just about to comment the same haha

[@TuddecBMW]

@@Jk-wj5ud Amen 😂

[@nicolasusDominus]

Spring weeks are still open people! UBS, RBC, Barclays, HSBC (due tomorrow), Credit Suisse, Nomura, Schroders and some more.

[@nqobile3561]

Thank you for this, I've been looking but been unsuccessful until now.

[@hisokamorow8388]

Can’t wait for the next Industry reaction video :)

[@AfzalHussein]

Hopefully, next Sunday!

[@MrMcfire2]

Very strategic approach: Great that you are making young people more aware of the importance of proper planning

[@antoniomachado3481]

Wanted to appreciate you so much for your videos and "mentoring", they are a really good help for me and for a lot of students, I believe. The way you ended this video was just perfect, a really good approach that you can have in life in general, fighting and trying to achieve your goals but always remembering that kind of nihilist philosophy that you will never loose anything in your life, you just have to improve yourself because in the end what matters the most is your journey.

[@AfzalHussein]

Pleasure! That means a lot. Thanks for watching!

[@MoDeRahManz]

I respect the progress and hustle. Sometimes you just need luck and the goodness of people. Personal experience: I come from a mediocre background, but I am very good at mathematics. I was forunate enough to get into a top hedge fund due to my manager wanting to "pay it forward" and have more people with our background in the industry. Sometimes all you need is luck. Once youre in, Imposter syndrome kicks in but that's when you need to persevere and keep working hard.

[@JagOnline]

Next video: How I got awful grades but still became a star in the HBO series “industry”.

[@JJdakilla]

Bruv. Is my guy Afzal going to be in series 2 of Industry? Come on HBO!

[@shamarg6]

Speak it into existence!!💪🏿💪🏿🔥🔥

[@mbb05jb]

@@JJdakilla that would be sick! just a one liner would do!

[@nashlal7221]

Brilliant! Very useful for a parent that is working with children who are coming to that stage where they become adults and have to start thinking about their futures. Thanks 👌

[@padesdugha1247]

Honestly a sick video, rare to find such advice nowadays keep it up !

[@AfzalHussein]

Thanks!

[@nathanwoolley8479]

Respect you know about the IB diploma , absolutely hate it but nice that you know it exists haha

[@tuffy6116]

This video was amazing maashallah bro

[@RandageJr]

I got bad grades and went to a non target. Now I work in M&As for a boutique firm

[@justinchang9977]

HOW???

[@RandageJr]

@@justinchang9977 networking like a beast. Also becoming president of the finance club of my uni.

[@justinchang9977]

@@RandageJr you straight up went to PE right after you graduated? did you do any related internships before??

[@RandageJr]

@@justinchang9977 i went straight into M&As

[@alext5528]

And are your firm hiring for grads?

[@abdullahshabbir6039]

I messed up my A Levels massively and managed to get an offer at a bulge bracket in IBD

[@sammysalih2456]

Hey Afzal! I've been binging your stuff and loving it. I'm trying to get into the banking industry and its been 3 years since I graduated, and my grades weren't the best... im enrolled for my cfa level 1 exam and looking for tips to try and break into the industry, most places in auckland only hire recent graduates, any tips? Cheers!

[@shaneparmar1261]

Wish I watched this before Uni, but unfortunately my time spent studying didnt reflect on my results. For me trying to find placement was hard in my Uni wasn't many opportunities. Good for people approaching Uni.

[@jamescarter5159]

Hi, is there an age thats considered too old to become an analyst? Is there an age where companies would hesitate to hire you over a grad fresh out of uni?

[@Unknowledgeable1]

No. If you genuinely know more than the grad fresh out of uni, and are willing to work for the same amount of money that they would have paid to that fresh grad (without using age as an excuse for more money), then you will have no problem.

[@dioahfjkaewlbfldxhjlk1862]

Very useful advice Afzal! I just messed up my exams so it’s really help a lot.

[@AfzalHussein]

Pleasure! Onwards and upwards! 👊🏽

[@LearningDragon]

Love your channel, have watched your growth, and greatly value this particular video. Thank you for this! I wish you well in 2021 and beyond! -Yves

[@karanpanesar3403]

What if you didn't manage to get any work experience whilst you were at uni? Since everyone's circumstances are different.

[@lednafilipe]

Why did this come out back in 2015 when I got into uni. I didn’t get the grade and got into a university that I didn’t want to begging and being international (Angola ) I didn’t know that I needed to start creating a strategy on my first year to get a placement It was long. But now I know what I am doing. Hopefully things go better from here. But this was a really good video.

[@Rspservers09]

great advice at the end

[@sailormoon5293]

I'm kinda curious how did you learn everything, I just finished my finance degree and I feel like my was college didnt teach me stuff prepare for the real world. I'm always conscious about my excel and programming skill, I'm kinda curious if you have done any online courses to learn this stuff.

[@Andre-rc3qg]

Hi Afzal. Thank you for all the insight. I was wondering if you could answer a quick question. I'm in my second year of uni at a non-target Russel group studying Economics and Finance. For various reasons, I didn't get any experience in first year in regards to insight weeks or open days etc. I've applied to a few internships for this summer and will continue to do so but I feel it's highly unlikely I'll get onr with the experience I have. Does this mean it's very unlikely I can break into asset management? What would you recommend I do in this situation to try and salvage this? Thanks again for all the insight Afzal.

[@josephbrennan370]

I have just found this absolute goldmine of a channel. It is crazy how videos that are this high quality do not receive more views. Hopefully my A-level grades will be good this year despite the exams being cancelled and predicted grades being used instead.

[@AfzalHussein]

Thanks, Joseph. Good luck with it! You got this 💪🏽👊🏽

[@weizenconnoisseur]

For the Algorithmus Btw. I work at the moment in germany as a working student at BNP. Finished my BA economics with 2.5 and started a BSc Applied Math and Physics. In approximately 2.5-3 years I will secure this. Afterwards I want to get a trainee or graduate job and become a Actuary (main moduls Data Science and math for Investment and Banking) Do you think it's possible to get into PE or Backoffice in a boutique with this?

[@hamzayusuf9206]

Hey afzal I didn’t get the grades last year due to covid and was wondering if i retake and get better grades is it worth it even though I might still not get into a top uni Also have you met people with bs and cs in front office,would be great to have a video with them

[@blueboy9680]

very motivating bro thanks

[@AfzalHussein]

Pleasure!

[@olivernewton6868]

What grades did you get Afzal ? I got ACD and I’m trying to break into banking at the minute, I’m in my third year on a placement.

[@betalhimasres4703]

Did you get in?

[@olivernewton6868]

@@betalhimasres4703 managed to get a job at Deloitte

[@betalhimasres4703]

@@olivernewton6868 congrats!! Is it accounting?

[@JonsVlogz]

Love your channel! V.useful info! I’m managed to get a finance placement at a telecoms company - I’ve made many applications for banking this year and haven’t had any luck (largely rejected at v.interview stage) - do you think doing the placement will help be get into banking come graduation - I’m v.interested in TMT so figure the telecom experience would be helpful?

[@victorangelomendoza8349]

I think the question is, how can my CV get noticed, with thousands of applicants...

[@AfzalHussein]

Here you go: skl.sh/3eMerCG

[@victorangelomendoza8349]

@@AfzalHussein thanks man

[@nathanwoolley8479]

How did you get the mentor at black rock in 1st year at uni - what uni also?

[@JJdakilla]

Afzal since you've got HBO's ear. Tell them to drop Pierpoint merch 😂

[@josephs3169]

Cringiest shit I ever read

[@browndudefulable]

Could you please do a video about whether the reputation of the bank/ FI that you work for matters in the long run?

[@bencoulter7722]

This video was really helpful. I recently got my A-Level grades and didn't do as well as hoped getting ABB and ending up at Cardiff University. I have made spring week applications this year and I am still waiting to hear from the majority of firms. It is good to know that it is still do-able. Recently I went on your app and tried to see if you were available for mentoring however you had no time slots. Are these likely to become available soon?

[@PapaSeed]

Stop being ungreatful. Those grades aren't bad. There's more to life than 'grades'.

[@zoeschoolstuff6919]

@@PapaSeed its not ungrateful if they're capable of getting better grades they are justified in being upset

[@boss4078]

Make a video about apprenticeships versus internships and how best is it to utilise them at what time if you are at university and how a student in city of london should budget who is under accommodation

[@garimashreshth9941]

Do share personal finance advice that you actually follow and can applied globally. Or any videos or material that may help in managing our own finances. I am finance student currently working in Goldman Sachs in Product control division (Sales and Trading) as Trainee in India.

[@DXmYb]

What's the Fastest way to save £400,000. Less than 15 years Go to uni and go into banking Go into banking/other finance jobs with just A-levels?

[@JackScottful]

Afzal, is there such a thing as too many internships? I will be done with my masters and have 8 full-time internships already (24 years old). All were in front office across IBD and Markets. Will this look “bad”? I never could accept full time offers because I moved after my BSc. to another country and the masters only allow internships.

[@karanpanesar3403]

We all die in the end 😂 what a way to end a video

[@AfzalHussein]

😄

[@alexkore3695]

Fantastic Video!! Do you have any advice for best approach to secure either graduate schemes or internships? I m a chemistry las year grad at QMUL. Havent dont any work experience due to the last 2 years being at home. Thanks in advacnce

[@danielbelcher8113]

Hey Afzal, thanks for the advice. I am a first year first year finance student at my fall back uni. Can you please make a video about how to find a mentor in Uni. Finding it difficult with covid etc..

[@coolcom8296]

Do you invest in stock

[@markosjenicic4945]

hey afzal, quick question. i’m a sophomore at university and a finance major and i want to break into investment banking. what relevant experience can i do that can help me ? also like things like learning outside of school like any courses i can take. what can i do to get a head start ? and learn more

[@turnup8147]

I’m honestly depressed about this. I have a 3.6 at ASU. This shit is going to be impossible

[@palladiumdaily2954]

Hey Afzal, love the content, I have got offers at Uni of Notts and Manchester which are just about a semi-target. However, if I do better than expected, i.e have the grades for Warwick or else, should I take a gap year to apply for them or go to UON or Manchester

[@AfzalHussein]

UoN and Manchester are both great and have a lot of grads securing top roles. Personally, I wouldn't take the gap year.

[@palladiumdaily2954]

@@AfzalHussein Appreciate it 👍🏾

[@clarkoh8484]

Plzzzz more industry reactions

[@dnelwpwohrn]

Which uni did you go? Year 13

[@luishenwood7792]

Hey man, Do you need volunteer work for your cv or LinkedIn profile? Is it important for you to be considered? Thanks

[@danieel972]

I can't even find an actual job with my worthless degree :D I don't even dare to think about getting into GS or similar places like Morgan or a Big4

[@jondash2939]

When you converted the spring week to summer internship was the internship front office or back office

[@Ad-zw2ib]

Im graduating this year but managed to secure a summer internship at GS, what would you recommend I'd do after the internship because I won't be going back to uni?

[@S4NGSTAR]

Hey I'm applying to an off-cycle internship at GS and im also graduating this year, if you dont mind, how did you manage to secure the internship? Did you go to a top uni and have previous experience?

[@Ad-zw2ib]

@@S4NGSTAR I went to Hertfordshire, and I didn't have any banking experience but I had experience with some big technology companies working part time, I didn't get any of my grad offers which makes sense given lack of banking experience I got an offer after applying for the 100blackinterns initiative and go through multiple interview processes and tests

[@Ad-zw2ib]

@@S4NGSTAR but do u know how long off cycle internships run for ? in terms of like when you can apply.

[@S4NGSTAR]

@@Ad-zw2ib Thank you man I really appreciate it, and UBS has just closed but GS is still open, from what I've seen they are quite random and have rolling deadlines so they take it off once they have enough applicants.

[@jackmidland6309]

Another great video Afzal, keep it up!

[@loveenarobyn4275]

Can I apply for the spring weeks program after 1 year of graduation?

[@user-hg5su9pd2v]

Which uni did you go to and what grade were your A levels and what did you take ?

[@Ghostracer786]

Love the thumbnail😂😂

[@AfzalHussein]

Thanks!

[@drilonjashari3909]

Hey Afzhal, i got a quick maybe too personal question for you, if you don't want to answer it's just fine to me and i can understand that. When i first watched your channel, i really liked you and i still do. Then there was a moment where you showed that you pray fajr and i was happy and said at the same time. Im a practicing Muslim too, and i really ask myself if you know how big the sin of making business with ribaa is? (For example working at a bank) In the Quran it says, that the one who takes, and the one who gives Ribaa is in a constant battle with Allah subhana wa ta'ala and his Messenger (pbuh) which is a very big deal and would make me as a strong faithed muslim very uncomfortable. Anyways, love u bud may Allah protect you ❤

[@Hassan-vr3tr]

Commercial Bankers give loans not Investment Bankers?

[@drilonjashari3909]

@@Hassan-vr3tr of course, but from a islamic perspective there isn't much of a difference between investment banking and commercial banking, it isn't even allowed to work as as software engineer at a bank bc you are supporting the business modell of it. And in Addition besides to loans, the work which investment banks do is a special version of gambling which is also not allowed

[@drilonjashari3909]

@@ilhamiinan1120 Bro he is Muslim, and we Muslims have rules we habe to live after. I aint judging anyone, i'm just curious if he knows about it because i want the best for him as a brother in faith. Peace

[@christiantretter4605]

I don’t feel like a religion should judge a person based solely on their job, at least not in this scenario. The only job i can think of where that might be reasonable would be a mercenary. I don’t think any banker or even entire bank is anywhere near as immoral as a mercenary. In a modern society, investing is an essential piece to keep the economy functioning at its full potential. Every job has a purpose. I feel like it is very difficult for any business, including a bank, to compete on a global or national level without being somewhat exploitative in a sense. At the end of a day, the entire goal of a business is to make money and to be able to continually make money in the future. To accomplish this, you generally should serve customers as best as possible, while being able to remain profitable. I don’t personally understand muslim culture and teachings too well, but I personally believe that Ribaa, or exploitative trading, is generally considered a much more grey area in western culture. I personally don’t believe most banking is exploitative, at least no more than any other business. I’m not trying to sound offensive and i apologize if i was, but that was just my opinion on Ribaa or exploitative trading, even though it seems like it is at least a grey area, to me. There is certainly a lot of hatred of the banking industry after the 2008 us recession, and you would likely find a significant portion of people who would agree with you. Also another thing to mention is that banks have changed significantly since 2008, and are much more regulated now in the us, but surely there likely is some exploitation that occurs. I just don’t think it occurs enough to shame the entire profession

[@hugo3573]

Thoughts on doing a placement year with your uni course

[@AfzalHussein]

Always a good option 👍🏽

[@CarlA-st9ep]

How did you turn your spring week into an internship

[@domamadi5631]

What was the name of the book that you mentioned?

[@zixingu1740]

Hi I got three fails in college, do I still have chance getting into Goldman?

[@Qwq966]

Your grades cannot be seen as a mess up.

[@NICO12981]

how do you find a mentor?

[@charlielonergan8639]

I’m 16 is there anything I can start doing now to bump my cv up slightly now

[@DXmYb]

Work Experience at a Bank. Many have A-Level programmes that you can apply for

[@creativecookbook]

Who said we are all going to die. I have divided my souls into 7 horcruxes.

[@josephs3169]

There is no point in aiming to get into IB you are setting yourself up for dissapointment. If you want to make a lot of money study medicine, take the USMLEs and practice in the US making $300k+ p.a. Your chances of getting into IB even as an oxbridge grad are slim, grades do matter, university brand matters, often if you aren't from a target school HR puts your CV in the bin.

[@rmpatpath3916]

Not getting your point of view. You mean .only medicine guys earn and IB or asset management guys don't earn? It's not the fact GS are known for top salaries

[@snapamericancandy_p3892]

My brodiii

[@DXmYb]

Anyone got a good job after graduating but without doing any internships?

[@josephs3169]

No such thing as a good graduate job.

[@DXmYb]

@@josephs3169 anything over £50 k

[@josephs3169]

@@DXmYb Good luck wiith that, unless you went to oxbridge in which case its probably doable depending on what you studied. UK salaries aren't what people think they are, if you want to earn a lot of money you should have been born in the US where the average starting salary for graduates is around 70K USD

[@coolcom8296]

What is your religion

[@AfzalHussein]

I'm Muslim. What makes you ask?

[@coolcom8296]

@@AfzalHussein sorry for the question I am also a Muslim i wanted to ask about ur investment

[@monsieurx9381]

Doing a master degree can really save us time? I have read online that without relevant/stong experience it's not worth it. (UK) Good video otherwise,!

[@JonsVlogz]

Think it’s more that doing a masters gives you another year of application cycles - so if you’re I. Your third year without experience you can focus on gaining it over the year before application season - and ideally you’d upscale you uni come masters which gives you better opportunities and networking opps I.e if you’re struggling to get a internship from Southampton, you’ll get get a masters at UCL or imperial, or perhaps even LSE etc.

[@juanmontes579]

Boss lol

[@footballbetformula]

If your black or Asian and have lower grades your still in with a chance as quotas of the number of brown faces needed are growing. Employers may even have empathy towards those from lower backgrounds.

[@rmpatpath3916]

Why passing a racial comment? Employers see knowledge not the skin tone or background. I don't think they see if the candidate belongs to cattle class ,or Elite class 😅

[@adham6229]

I came here to learn about the industry not contemplate the meaning of life ffs😂