When should I apply for a full-time Analyst or Associate position?
Typically Cowen begins recruiting for Analysts and Associates in the fall preceding the summer that they start (i.e. we start recruiting in late September, 2007 for Analysts starting in 2008). We have a core set of schools that we target for our recruiting whose recruitment dates are listed on this website, but if you do not attend one of these universities you can apply via the e-mail address listed on the website. Candidates will not gain any advantage by applying earlier.

Resumes and cover letters should be submitted to the person in charge of the level to which you are applying (Analyst or Associate).

When should I apply for a Summer Analyst or Summer Associate position?
Typically Cowen begins recruiting for Summer Analysts and Summer Associates in January of the year that the summer program occurs and applications should be made in late December. Candidates will not gain any advantage by applying earlier.

Resumes and cover letters should be submitted to the person in charge of the level to which you are applying (i.e. those interested in Summer Analyst positions should apply to the Analyst recruiter and those interested in Summer Associate positions should apply to the Associate recruiter).

What are you looking for in a full-time Analyst candidate?
IThough we do not have a “typical” candidate in mind, we do look for applicants who have undergraduate course work in finance and accounting, and strong writing skills. Additionally, we focus our search on students who are completing their final year of undergraduate study and will be graduating in the spring. All applicants should possess superior academic credentials, including outstanding records of accomplishment outside the classroom.

What are you looking for in a full-time Associate candidate?
Associate candidates should have an M.B.A. Several years of financial work experience is preferred. All applicants should possess superior academic credentials, including outstanding records of accomplishment outside the classroom.

What are you looking for in a Summer Analyst Candidate?
Summer Analyst candidates should be students whose internship with Cowen would occur between their junior and senior years of undergraduate study (our Summer Analyst program is intended to identify potential full-time Analysts and should a Summer Analyst excel, we would be in position to make them an offer to work after graduating the following year). Though we do not have a “typical” candidate in mind, we do look for applicants who have undergraduate course work in finance and accounting, and strong writing skills. All applicants should possess superior academic credentials, including outstanding records of accomplishment outside the classroom.

What are you looking for in a Summer Associate Candidate?
Summer Associate candidates should be graduate students whose internship with Cowen would occur the summer between years of business school. Summer Associate candidates typically have some financial work experience prior to business school.

What if I am not a Finance or Economics major at a business school, can I still apply?
While this background is more prevalent among our applicants it certainly is not a prerequisite for consideration. Cowen provides the necessary tools and training to become a successful Analyst or Associate and we believe that demonstrated academic excellence, not the type of degree, is the best indicator of a candidate’s potential. All applicants should possess superior academic credentials, including outstanding records of accomplishment outside the classroom.

I am a recent graduate...can I still apply for the Analyst program?
Although everyone is welcome to apply and will be equitably considered, the reality is that Cowen has a very structured hiring process which encourages us to consider you as you graduate from college.

If I apply to the Investment Banking position, will I also be considered for openings in your Research or Sales & Trading divisions?
No. The different divisions at Cowen work independently with regard to their hiring needs and, frankly, expressing an interest in applying to all of our divisions demonstrates that you have not examined your job search adequately. By the time you are ready to submit your resume and cover letter to Cowen you should know which division is of interest to you and why you would make a good candidate.

If you are interested in positions other than Investment Banking please navigate to the appropriate hyperlink on the Career Opportunities webpage to find out more information on the other divisions.

I am a foreign national that will require visa sponsorship, can I still apply?
Yes, but given the recent history of the visa application process in the United States we only hire foreign nationals on an exception basis.

I have not heard anything regarding my application status, where do I stand?
Please understand that we are a comparatively small firm and as such cannot provide an individual response to the large number of applicants we receive each recruiting season. As stated on the website, we will only respond to your resume if we have an interest and an appropriate opening to consider you for.