Worried about layoffs/offer being rescinded

In August I start working in a sales/relationship management analyst role for a large firm’s new grad program and the recent news about layoffs https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wall-street-is-starting-to-trim-jobs-as-economic-uncertainties-mount-124429335.html has me worried. Is it reasonable to worry about my offer getting rescinded or my position getting cut within the first few months of starting? Or is it more likely the layoffs would be slightly higher up instead of the newest analysts/they will just take fewer people when filling next year’s class instead of laying off mine

2 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, your concerns are valid but should be put into perspective. Layoffs in large firms during economic uncertainty often follow a tiered approach:

  1. New Analysts Are Generally Safer Initially: Firms typically invest significant resources in training new analysts, and they are less likely to rescind offers or cut positions for those just starting. However, this is not a guarantee, as extreme scenarios (e.g., severe economic downturns) could lead to layoffs even at the junior level.

  2. Higher Risk for Mid-Level Employees: Layoffs often target mid-level employees (e.g., VPs or Directors) who are more expensive and may not be generating sufficient revenue. This aligns with insights from WSO threads, where mid-level staff are often the first to be impacted.

  3. Class Size Adjustments: Instead of cutting current analysts, firms may reduce the size of next year’s incoming class or delay hiring to manage costs. This strategy allows them to maintain their current workforce while preparing for future uncertainties.

  4. Economic Conditions and Projections: Firms base their decisions on revenue projections and market conditions. If the economic outlook worsens significantly, layoffs could extend to junior levels, but this is typically a last resort.

To mitigate your concerns: - Stay Informed: Keep an eye on your firm’s financial health and any internal communications about hiring or layoffs. - Network Internally: Build relationships within your team and demonstrate your value early on. - Have a Backup Plan: While it’s unlikely your offer will be rescinded, having a contingency plan (e.g., networking or exploring lateral opportunities) can provide peace of mind.

Remember, while the risk exists, it’s not a certainty, and many firms prioritize retaining their newest talent.

Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/lay-offs-soon?customgpt=1, Recent Grads - Do we still have jobs??, Still want the job? Are you prepared?, Just got laid off, What are the key lessons from GS / MS layoffs?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Est quis quisquam recusandae est delectus asperiores. Quis tempora et sed labore maiores. Quia aut perspiciatis officiis deleniti ut vel exercitationem sint. Repellat quidem molestias veritatis dolor sit. Blanditiis consequatur eligendi ea nihil sit illum. Quis consectetur aut dolorum velit est. Dolor perspiciatis voluptas totam quod.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”