How should a fresher at a new IIM approach finance roles?

A fresher at a new IIM should start building finance credibility from day one through live projects, certifications, and targeted networking, because recruiters evaluate domain commitment more carefully when the brand is younger.

Start with foundational certifications early

New IIMs see strong finance placement outcomes when students signal intent early. Enroll in CFA Level 1 during the first summer or complete FRM Part 1 by September of second year. IIM Ranchi and IIM Trichy placed multiple freshers into ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and Axis Capital in 2024, and most had at least one certification underway. From Reddit, we learnt that recruiters at mid-tier banks explicitly ask about CFA progress during pre-placement talks, so starting early matters.

Secure a finance summer internship

Your summer project is the single biggest lever. Target corporate finance roles at firms like Aditya Birla Capital, Mahindra Finance, or Kotak Mahindra Bank, or try for equity research at boutiques like Motilal Oswal or IIFL. If you land a PPO, it de-risks final placements entirely. Compare colleges to see which new IIMs have the strongest finance recruiter overlap with older campuses.

Even if you don't convert the PPO, the internship gives you a real project to anchor your CV. Freshers who interned in investment banking or treasury roles convert finance finals at nearly double the rate of peers who did general management summers.

Build a finance-focused resume and narrative

Tailor your one-pager for every finance application. Lead with your summer project, certifications, and any pre-MBA exposure (even a 6-month analyst stint or personal equity portfolio).

Write a two-sentence story explaining why finance: tie it to a specific deal you studied, a market event that fascinated you, or a long-term career goal in private equity or portfolio management.

New IIM recruiters often compare 15 to 20 resumes for a single slot, so generic "interested in finance" language won't cut through. Name the sub-domain you want (corporate finance, equity research, investment banking) and back it with evidence.

Network with alumni and second-years

Reach out to alumni working at Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Citi, and Deutsche Bank on LinkedIn. Ask for 15-minute calls to understand role expectations and referral processes.

Many finance roles at new IIMs come through off-campus applications or referrals, not just Day 1 slots. Second-years who placed into finance can share which firms value new IIM candidates and which mock interview questions to prepare.

Apply broadly and prepare for technicals

Finance recruiting is a numbers game. Apply to 20 to 30 firms across investment banking, corporate finance, equity research, and treasury. Prepare for valuation case studies (DCF, comparable company analysis), financial statement puzzles, and market awareness questions. Build your MBA report to track which new IIMs have the strongest finance cohort sizes and recruiter lists, then model your strategy on theirs.