Landing a finance winter internship in London is a competitive feat, but a rewarding step towards a career in the industry. These internships, typically running from December to February, offer invaluable hands-on experience and networking opportunities within top-tier financial institutions.
What to Expect: Winter internships often mirror summer programs in structure, albeit shorter in duration. You can expect to be immersed in a specific department, such as investment banking, asset management, sales & trading, or private equity. Your responsibilities will vary depending on the firm and the department, but common tasks include financial modeling, market research, preparing presentations, analyzing data, and supporting senior team members on live deals or projects. Be prepared for a steep learning curve and long hours, especially during peak deal flow periods.
Who Hires: Major investment banks like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, and Barclays offer structured winter internship programs. Boutique investment banks, asset management firms (e.g., BlackRock, Fidelity), hedge funds, and private equity firms also frequently recruit winter interns. Explore the career pages of these companies starting in late summer or early autumn, as application deadlines are often well in advance of the internship itself.
How to Prepare: A strong academic record in a relevant field (e.g., finance, economics, mathematics) is a prerequisite. Beyond grades, demonstrate your interest in finance through extracurricular activities like investment clubs, participation in finance competitions, and self-directed learning through online courses or industry publications. Networking is crucial. Attend university career fairs, company presentations, and reach out to alumni working in finance in London. Perfect your resume and cover letter, highlighting relevant skills such as financial modeling, data analysis, and communication. Be prepared to answer technical interview questions related to finance and accounting principles. Practice common behavioral interview questions and research the specific firms you are targeting.
The Application Process: The application process is typically online and includes submitting your resume, cover letter, and completing online assessments. If successful, you’ll be invited for one or more rounds of interviews, which may be conducted virtually or in person. Expect to be grilled on your technical skills, your understanding of the financial markets, and your motivation for wanting to work in finance. Some firms utilize case studies or group exercises to assess your problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills.
Benefits and Outcomes: A winter internship provides a crucial stepping stone towards securing a full-time graduate role. Many firms actively recruit their interns for full-time positions upon graduation. Even if a direct offer isn’t extended, the experience, skills, and network you gain during the internship will significantly enhance your future job prospects. The opportunity to work and live in London, a global financial hub, is also an invaluable experience in itself.