Feeling like a failure for FT Recruiting, am experiencing burnout, and generally feel lost
What the title says. I've been trying super hard to get into an IB role and basically any bank that would take me. I go to a non target but networked hard at everywhere I applied to and got a couple of interviews. I was even able to land some superdays but they just didn't go my way because they were hiring one analyst. I recently failed what I thought was my last superday and have no clue what to do in both life and recruiting. It is quite a deflating feeling. I've even emailed boutiques across the country to minimal success. Does anyone have any advice or words of encouragement? don't know if some roles may open up soon or where i should go from here but if anyone has any advice for a plan of attack that'd be greatly appreciated.
It’s tough out there, but you’re not alone in this struggle. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s a plan to help you regroup and push forward:
1. Take a Breather
2. Reassess and Strategize
3. Refine Your Approach
4. Prepare for the Next Opportunity
5. Expand Your Options
6. Stay Resilient
7. Get Creative
8. Keep the Faith
You’ve already shown grit by getting superdays and networking hard. This is just a temporary setback. Regroup, refine, and keep pushing—you’ve got this!
Sources: Would appreciate some advice, Laid off, Depressed and Giving up..., Some Thoughts on Networking, How to get over a superday rejection?, Ask CompBanker
The job market is so brutal right now, and I know this probably falls on deaf ears, but you need to keep your head up. It's very possible, even likely, that you won't end up in IB immediately after undergrad, but that doesn't mean you're doomed to have a mediocre career.
Find the best job you can (which unfortunately may be super un-sexy corporate roles) and reassess from there. Assuming you have a respectable GPA, ~5 years in corporate can get you into a top 7/15 MBA program, and now you're competitive for associate roles at all the best IBs.
If you zoom out a bit, this path means you might reach your goals more slowly, but at the end of the day, being an associate making 350k+ (higher in a decade w/ inflation) at 29 years old still puts you in the top 1% of people your age. The majority of your earning power comes after 40 in a finance career, and most people entering IBs as analysts in your graduating class will burn out and leave high finance by 30 anyway.
Of course, this is all assuming you don't land an IB job this year, which very well could happen. But assuming that won't be the case, you need to realize that you still control your destiny in regards to having an incredible career. Your overarching goal was never to be an IB analyst, it was to have a great career, and nothing is stopping you from achieving that in the long run.
/remove
At this point there are 3 solid paths still available for you to break into IB: 1) random spots that will open in May-July for immediate start, 2) Ft lateral, 3) MBA AS. I think you should pursue them in that order.
For 1) you need to get yourself in front of as many bankers as possible so that if a position opens your name comes to mind. If possible, I'd highly recommend taking a trip to the city you're targeting and trying to set up 10+ in person coffee chats.
For 2) you just need to put yourself in the right ft situation so that when the M&A market pumps next and banks need to fill headcount, you're an attractive lateral.
Other comment covered mba as route well.
I think the most important thing to remember is that this journey isn't likely to resolve itself within the next 3-5 months. Maybe a random boutique has an opening and you can land the role, but those positions come up irregularly and are difficult to find. The best way to approach this process is as a 6 month runway that ends with whatever your ft job ends up being. Focus on building out your resume, technicals, and network so that you're in the best position possible to compete for immediate start positions next summer, and try to land something ib-adjacent as a backup.
Is it possible to fill the lateral market from corporate banking?
100%. I’d recommend doing corporate in a specific industry group and then trying to move into ib for the same industry.
What about from specialized industry corp dev at a PE backed firm?
Hey could you give us an update how is it going? I am also looking for FT job in markets in Europe with solid front office internships across banks both in Frankfurt and Paris. I am getting interviews and sometimes get even to the superday but unfortunately no offer. I am starting to loose hope. Thanks
Impedit iure non cum saepe est. Doloribus iusto eveniet at quo. Natus nam corrupti eos iusto velit. Dolorem placeat totam doloribus in.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...