FT Recruiting Chances without the Return-Offer

Currently an SA at NY-based EB (PJT/EVR/LAZ) and got a subpar mid-summer review that all the generic good things said but concluded that I need my work product to be improved by the end of the summer to be considered full-time. 

Although I'll work hard to get the return offer, I am trying to see how I can navigate FT process without the return. Is it feasible to land an offer at Nomura/SocGen/Mizuho without the return coming from HYP 3.7+ GPA?  

Also, I am wondering when I should begin to network FT

Thank you. 

14 Comments
 

Double down and get the FT offer if you really want it. Still have time to improve. 

 
Most Helpful

Agree with other poster to refocus efforts that there is still time and perhaps ramp the post project check-ins to get feedback real-time. This is inportant not just for your internship but also your FT offer as if you are not getting fundamentals right (presuming review was accurate) you are just kicking a can down the road. 

If focused on downside protection would also think tactically about a very succinct / pointed (vs rambling) narrative (sub-par performance not going to land well with anyone) and could be around starting slow but picking-up too late, fit, etc. Would also network to develop some relationship with someone at at least the mid-level who could be an advocate / reference (and help tie out your narrative above). 

At the end of the day I know the summer internship can feel like a major cross-road in a career where if you make it your life goes one direction and if you don’t you end up homeless but the reality is you and many others will and have been fine, are typically very happy where things ultimately landed if an internship doesn’t work out (there is something to be said about natural skills and culture fit) and being in the right seat will be a fulfilling career. 

 

To the extent you can share, what did they say? Was it as direct as you stated, in that your work product has to improve to even be CONSIDERED for a FT offer?

 

No, just what I had to improve was my work product more because my first impression about the work was subpar compared to other interns. What I don’t get is I have not been getting comments recently and producing comparable work to other interns but they emphasized about my first impression. 

 

I missed out on a return at a BB and told the EB I ended up at that there was no headcount. They didn't check and all is fine lol.

 

Mean this to sound constructive but I can promise you someone very likely checked on you informally. Informal checks are very typical and a norm and they will rarely tell you as typically against formal HR policies. Conversations are typically like what happened, is the person ok, we like him / her and think potential for, any major red flags, etc. as long as nothing fatal most are fine. To the extent you can take control of that and direct to a referral better as it can be a gamble hence advice above 

 

Did you network while you were still doing your internship or did you only start afterwards? And did you network with specific groups at BBs? I heard the open applications are relatively useless for FT recruiting and that it’s all group specific

 

ProFormaAdjuster:

I did it. You can too. Cast a wide net.


Out of curiosity how did you frame your story & what type of bank did you land at? Any advice you might have for someone recruiting full-time potentially w/o a return (nervous abt mid/year review)

 

Iste incidunt qui ab veritatis sit rerum. Molestias perferendis inventore nisi nihil. Perspiciatis molestiae nobis exercitationem qui ut vel.

Atque corporis culpa corporis omnis laborum id. Enim qui odit dolores sequi consequuntur quisquam omnis. Est velit nihil voluptatem est enim repellendus veniam.

Voluptatem possimus autem magni facilis nesciunt. Quia qui alias qui. Quos et architecto debitis natus qui repellendus recusandae nesciunt. Praesentium et voluptatum odit quas amet voluptate.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 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

May 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

May 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

May 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 (65) $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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”