Finding a job is difficult. I know.

Securing a full-time role is even more difficult. I know that as well.

Breaking into Hong Kong full-time recruiting is exceptionally competitive. That, I understand firsthand, but I did it.

Which means: you can too!

University: NYU Stern (Undergraduate)
Major: Finance
Offers: Société Générale IBD, Mizuho S&T, BNP Paribas S&T, HSBC S&T (Hong Kong)

It has been three years since we first met.

As you said, we have grown beyond a traditional mentor-student relationship, more like peers who have witnessed each other’s progress over time. I watched your transformation from a college student into a finance professional. You, in turn, witnessed the growth of PGP year after year.

Despite the challenges, we worked through the process together and ultimately secured the offers you had been aiming for.

I am incredibly proud of you. Wishing you the very best as you begin your full-time career. I will always be here for you.

I was neither particularly talented nor exceptionally disciplined. When others were joining clubs and attending information sessions in their freshman year, I was focused on enjoying university life.

When others were applying to early insight programs in sophomore year, I was still not thinking about recruiting. When others entered junior year with multiple finance internships and a clear path toward summer analyst roles, I was still far from prepared.

My recruiting journey effectively began in the first semester of junior year.

Before that, I had no clear career direction and did not even have a complete resume, an atypical profile for an NYU Stern student.

During that semester, I was based in Shanghai due to the pandemic. While those around me were actively applying for internships, I did not even fully understand the recruiting process.

I met Natasha by chance. After our first short call, she gave me something I did not have before, clarity and confidence. What stood out was not only her expertise, but her ability to provide structure at a time when I had none.

By August, I had gone from knowing nothing about recruiting to actively participating in the process, competing alongside a highly prepared candidate pool.

I still remember that our first session began with a simple question: What exactly is Sales & Trading? After understanding the different roles and functions, I chose to focus on Sales, based on my interests.

From that point, preparation became structured and intensive. I worked on building technical knowledge and following market developments closely. Natasha also emphasized the importance of daily exposure to market news.

At the beginning of every session, she would ask: “What have you been following in the markets recently?”

That question alone changed my habits. Initially, it was difficult to maintain consistency. But over time, reading market news became part of my daily routine, something I continue to do today.

I did receive a few interview opportunities during that period, but the gap in preparation was still too large, and I did not convert any offers. With the experience from junior year, I entered senior year with a stronger foundation. But the challenge became more demanding: applying directly for full-time roles in Hong Kong.

Given my GPA, pursuing a graduate degree was not a preferred option. Due to credit constraints, deferring graduation was not possible. There was no fallback plan.

At that point, it was a fully committed effort.

That semester was one of the most demanding periods I have experienced. I was taking six courses, working as a teaching assistant, conducting research as a lab assistant, and simultaneously recruiting for full-time roles.

The physical workload was significant, but the mental pressure was greater.

As the months passed, and I reached the end of December without an offer, uncertainty became overwhelming. Watching peers secure strong offers added another layer of pressure.

On New Year’s Eve, I made a simple wish: to secure a role, something that would justify the effort of the past four years.

Whether by timing or persistence, January became a turning point. I was interviewing consistently every week. Offers began to come through gradually. What once felt unattainable, receiving even one offer, shifted into a position where I was comparing opportunities and making decisions.

At that point, I understood something clearly: Recruiting is a process where repetition drives performance.

Many interview questions were not explicitly prepared in advance. The ability to respond came from accumulated knowledge, structured thinking, and repeated practice. What made the difference was not memorization, but the framework Natasha had taught, how to structure answers, how to manage mindset, and how to respond under pressure.

When I found myself discussing markets confidently with interviewers, I would often think back to those moments when I was pushed to stay disciplined in following the news.

Looking back a year later, the process feels fundamentally different. It was not simply about securing offers. It was about learning how to approach problems, how to think independently, and how to build confidence over time.

In a recruiting environment that is becoming increasingly standardized, what Natasha provided was not just preparation for interviews, but confidence in remaining authentic, and in presenting that authenticity effectively.

I am deeply grateful for the guidance and support throughout this process, especially during moments when my mindset fluctuated significantly.

Our relationship became more than mentorship. We witnessed each other’s growth.

There is a common phrase that I have come to appreciate: Everyone operates on their own timeline. The best time to start is now.

At Stern, recruiting timelines are clearly outlined during orientation and they continue to move earlier each year.

Recruiting can appear highly structured:

Freshman year: join mentorship programs and explore interests.

Sophomore year: participate in early insight programs and build connections.

Junior year: secure relevant internships and apply for summer roles.

Summer: convert internships into full-time offers.

On paper, it looks like a defined system. In reality, very few follow this path perfectly. Competition for top mentorship programs is intense. Many students do not know what they want even in junior year. Coffee chats often do not lead to meaningful outcomes. Summer internships are highly competitive, with outcomes influenced by multiple factors, including headcount.

What appears common is often survivorship bias. My takeaway is simple: Focus on your own timeline. Commit fully to your preparation. Maximize your strengths. The outcome will follow. And if it hasn’t yet: it may simply mean that something better is still ahead.