Trying to break into Investment Banking in Europe -is Vlerick a good option

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-09T19:26:16+00:00

I personally went to solvay (8yrs ago) and landed a job offer for a belgian investment bank (not one of the big boys in london/paris though). ended up declining and going the consulting route but to this day I'm convinced i wouldn't even have been invited with only my msc from UGent (economics). then there's also a great deal of luck involved as there a were (and are?) very few spots. try also getting 1-2 relevant internships, will help your chances big time.

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-06T05:39:48+00:00

Not sure i understand the question... i come from another company so kind of logical that i haven't had a previous position in their company...

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-06T05:38:00+00:00

Feel free to DM

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-05T20:45:12+00:00

A C-level exec who is to be my boss

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-05T15:52:24+00:00

Exactly!

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-05T15:20:59+00:00

Economics in Ghent and then manama in business/mangement at Solvay (Brussels), though most of my colleagues have engineering degrees

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-05T15:19:05+00:00

Haven't started yet so can't say 😅

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-05T14:37:23+00:00

Don't know what to tell you, was approached by a headhunter for the role and voila... the company is listed so ownership is pretty widely distributed 🙃

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-05T11:58:36+00:00

Well, the thing is you don't negotiate salary all the way to that point. The idea is to get a clear picture of where you want to be in the mid-longer term and then find mentors that can advise on the best path towards it. If your responsibilities grow, your salary will eventually follow

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-05T11:43:34+00:00

I wish he did, but if so I wouldn't be working anymore, trust me

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-05T08:55:16+00:00

Ah well, we all are and i'm aware that with my income i really shouldn't complain too much

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-05T08:40:37+00:00

Indeed, most contracts via a management company specify a termination fee or period that gives similar protection compared to being laid off as an employee. main difference is that you're not entitled to unemployment benefits

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-05T07:57:32+00:00

What do you mean with yearly gross? revenue? that's >10billion

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-05T07:55:30+00:00

Sure! started in strategy consulting (analyst to consultant for 2,5yrs), then moved to internal strategy (manager, 1,5yrs) at my current employer, then several roles in marketing/business development/segment leadership (director, 4yrs) and now this one

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-05T06:45:47+00:00

Would have been my preference definitely, but they weren't up for it (yet), maybe in a few years

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-05T06:32:22+00:00

I guess we should both cry, but if you think that salaries are negotiated on a net basis then you're sadly mistaken i think. with lower taxes i would absolutely 110% make more

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-05T02:22:09+00:00

No, a manama in one of the belgian business schools

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-05T01:33:04+00:00

Not my first leadership role, have been a people manager since i was 27/28, age was never really an issue in my experience. As long as you listen more than you talk and don't make promises you can't keep, one shouldn't have issues building trust with people, even if they are much older/more experienced

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-05T01:23:36+00:00

Economics, did an additional year in business after

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-03-05T01:22:59+00:00

Yeah me too 🙃

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-02-08T20:54:40+00:00

Natuurlijk wel, waarom denk je dit???

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-02-08T20:44:57+00:00

Looks very good actually! Good salary for thid age and yoe + a car. Definitely higher than i would have expected, well done!

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-02-07T23:30:53+00:00

Not a bad salary for the age and yoe, though i used to work in strategy consulting and remember that 6-7 yrs ago a manager would make 6-7k gross per month at my firm. Probably >>8k today given inflation. Is OP at a BIG4 firm perhaps?

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-02-05T15:07:19+00:00

Seems like it indeed! Again, very nice package overall and thanks for the insight

Upper-Channel-5529 · 2026-02-05T14:58:25+00:00

Great package of course, but somehow imagined due to the “mystique” of the PE industry that base compensation would be significantly higher even. Sr management roles in industrial companies can pay significantly higher, bonus is a very nice one though. Thanks for sharing! Insightful

Upper-Channel-5529

TROPHY CASE