32 Comments
 

Perspective from a target where almost everyone has jobs. Most people from my target got returns, but those who didn't FT recruiting and got something. One or two kids got unlucky and had to settle for big4 transaction advisory. Overall, people figured it out. The target network was very helpful to a few I know who had to FT recruit. There were also a lot of students who did lateral interviews for FT after getting a return which clouded the market for FT.

 

Am Non target that made it to IB for FT, was absolutely brutal recruiting but the climb to receive offer was one of the best experiences I’ve had. Made it super rewarding!

 

after a brutal cycle of recruiting, I ended up taking a REPE job with a 30% haircut. Not optimal, but its fine for the timebeing and will be focusing on leaving ASAP

 

If someone is an adjacent finance role (PE/HF/etc.) in NYC, do you or anyone know how lateraling to the top banks works for fresh grads? Is it just on as needed, through your network? I'm only familiar with campus programs given I'm also a graduating senior (target). Not positive I want to pivot but may want to if I end up not liking investing.

 
Most Helpful

Imagine ending it all because you can’t get a full time job in finance 💀

2 Million students graduate with college degree every year, and less than 1% get a job in high finance.

Swallow your pride, stop focusing on prestige, rankings, clout, high comp, and focus on getting a job and grinding your way up.

There are countless paths to investment banking, and as a non-target myself I’ve seen some crazy paths from big 4 accounting to evercore, no-name accounting to Moelis vp, and random wealth management to evercore to buyside now.

There is so much more to life than getting a job in investment banking, and frankly if you can’t handle the pressure of being unemployed for less than 1 year, in the toughest job market that has been in the last decade, frankly you were never cut for a job in finance anyway.

You’ve worked hard already, and I’m sure you are capable of it. Keep networking, grinding, and it will pay off.

 

Brother if you even walked a mile in my shoes you would be mortified. I’m fighting hell every single day to do what I got to do outside of school to make ends meet because I’m far away from home with a family member dead. This is my only way to vent and seek any sort of advice. I get what you mean but the way how you phrased this I bet MONEY you wouldn’t say this to me or anyone’s face because people like me are at our breaking point.

 

Complete non-target going to an EB. Networked probably 40 hours a week from Jan - July '23. One of the most rewarding moments of my life, but definitely got very lucky and feel for all of those still recruiting. 

 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 

In a similar position and am one day hoping that I can break in to EB(seems like a pipe dream now) but wanted to clarify did you recruit before the internship in 23?

I know you might know but curious if you know how to recruit for EB post grad? I have been emailing and trying my best but been hard to get people on the phone so any tips would be appreciated

 

Was at BofA REGL (didn’t get a return) last summer and landed a gig at a no-name FIG boutique. Super excited for what’s to come!

 

Praesentium quia consequuntur omnis occaecati. Vitae quia voluptate voluptatibus ullam consequatur quos. Consequuntur nihil cum fugiat quia dolor.

Optio et ipsa quia perferendis aliquam voluptates sed ut. Rerum est minus aperiam aut fuga. Odit sit placeat non et.

Veniam ipsam quo qui et doloribus ex. Molestiae quasi ipsam molestias porro qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (77) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (71) $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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”