Need Advice: Group Placement during Off-Cycle

Hi all. So I have some kind of problem…

I’ve landed a SA spot at a top BB (GS/MS/JP). However, the group placement will be during a time when I am doing an off-cycle internship at another BB.

Apparently, group placement includes several coffee chats with several groups. I'm a bit worried about how to handle this as I don't think my off-cycle team will be thrilled if I have dozens of coffee chats with their competition.

On the one hand, I want to end up in a group I am interested in. On the other hand, I am interested in getting the return offer from my „lower“ BB as it is a great team with good prospects.

Any advice is appreciated.

3 Comments
 

Hey there! It sounds like you're in a bit of a pickle, but don't worry, we'll figure this out together.

Firstly, congratulations on landing the SA spot at a top BB, that's a fantastic achievement! Now, onto your dilemma. It's a tricky situation, but remember, it's important to prioritize your own career goals and interests.

You're right, it might not be the best look to have multiple coffee chats with the competition while you're at your off-cycle internship. However, there are ways to navigate this. You could try scheduling these chats outside of your current work hours, or during lunch breaks. This way, it won't interfere with your current responsibilities and it's less likely to raise eyebrows.

Remember, these chats are also for you to learn about the groups and see where you fit best. So, it's important to take them seriously.

As for the return offer, continue to work hard, show enthusiasm and make a positive impression. If you're doing great work and they see your potential, they'll want to keep you.

Remember, it's all about balance. You want to secure your future, but also respect your current commitments. It's a tightrope walk, but with a little bit of planning and a lot of dedication, you can definitely pull it off.

Good luck, and remember, you're a smart cookie. You've got this!

Sources: Questions to ask during group placement networking calls, Advice for summer and return offer rate?, What is off-cycle hiring looking like as interns are finishing up and getting offers?

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

Vel dolore nihil debitis ut quia. Natus enim velit quo delectus id. Quisquam sit eos sapiente impedit natus.

Adipisci illo dolore labore. Dolor sit tempora veritatis adipisci non omnis dolorem nihil. Aliquid distinctio voluptatem in nesciunt necessitatibus aperiam sit. Consequatur eos soluta et modi est quia ducimus.

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 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 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 (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”