Landing a job with a hedge fund is the goal of many recent college graduates and young financial professionals. Just like investment banking jobs with Goldman Sachs or consulting positions with Bain or McKinsey, jobs with major hedge funds like Citadel in Chicago or Farallon in San Francisco are highly sought after. Some of the brightest financial minds are fighting for the opportunity to interview with these top funds.

Of course, not all savvy young financial professionals attended Ivy League universities or have the financial background typical of successful applicants at high-powered hedge funds like Citadel. However, there are more than 5,000 hedge funds in the United States of varying sizes and specialties. The largest hundred of these receive a disproportionate amount of attention from job seekers. Competition for junior analyst positions is extremely competitive. Meanwhile, thousands of smaller hedge funds remain relatively under the radar, in part because many hedge funds are difficult to locate and choose to keep a low profile. Landing a job with these lesser-known hedge funds is much more likely for the typical candidate.

The top three methods for getting an interview with a hedge fund:

personal connections: It is somewhat unfortunate that this method is probably still the best method for getting a hedge fund interview. However, the definition of “personal connections” varies. For a lucky few, this could be a family friend who runs a fund in CT or NY. For others, it may be a college classmate who is now an analyst at a hedge fund. These types of connections can land you an interview when your resume alone may not be enough. Don’t forget about online networking and sites like LinkedIn to expand your larger network of contacts.

Financial Recruiters: Because large hedge funds are often hesitant to post open positions on job boards, they rely heavily on financial recruiting/headhunting firms. The use of headhunters and recruiters is recommended for candidates with several years of experience and a substantial resume. Applicants with less experience may find themselves at the bottom of the totem pole. However, it’s often worth working with a great recruiter like GloCap, as it requires minimal effort (you’ll probably meet with the recruiter in person and fill out a few forms and submit a resume).

Direct contact: One of the most overlooked methods of getting a hedge fund interview is to contact the hedge funds directly. The vast majority of hedge funds have fewer than ten employees and no human resources manager. With these smaller funds, send a well-written cover letter and your resume to the CEO or CEO. Because hedge funds, particularly the thousands of smaller companies, keep a low profile, it’s worth getting a list of hedge funds with contact information.

Remember, the most important trait of successful hedge fund analysts is their intelligence and determination. Looking for a job at a hedge fund can sometimes be a test of your resolve, but the right attitude and a few tools can help you stay one step ahead of your competition.