FT Recruiting is a nightmare
Hey all,
Keeping this short. I recently completed a buyside internship but did not receive a return offer due to budget constraints.
While I was disappointed—especially since the role was in NYC with a great team—I’m now focused on re-recruiting. I’ve completed multiple finance internships and have a solid GPA, but despite that, I’m running into challenges. I’m originally from Texas and currently in school here, so most of my efforts have been concentrated on Texas offices. The challenge is that many firms either don’t have openings or have already finished hiring for their next analyst class.
I’ve been networking with junior professionals at a wide range of firms and also sending cold emails, but progress has been slow. If anyone has advice, insights, or suggestions on how to best position myself in this situation, it would be greatly appreciated.
I would say its an uphill battle considering you didn't get a return (even if it wasn't performance) and most of the EBs/BBs have already filled their spots. Ad hoc positions will come up over the next few months so would say to continue networking and try to message smaller boutiques as they will tend to recruit later.
Also would say that you doing your summer in NYC and then trying to recruit in Texas could be a red flag as they're very picky about people wanting to stay in Texas long term and not leaving after a year to NYC.
This is good advice. Texas teams are very sensitive to people bolting to NY, and honestly no matter what you say they will likely read your story as as "I got a role in NYC but didn't get a return offer, so TX is my fallback until I can get a year or so experience and hop back to NY". Other geographies don't have such a strong dynamic here, so if you're open to other T2/T3 cities I'd also keep an eye on roles there.
I would open up to roles well beyond IB - corporate banking for sure, also things like valuation, strategy, equity research, MM/LMM buyside roles including stuff like credit or niche platforms. In this economy you may have to settle a bit.
I would honestly prioritize teams with posted roles and stalk LinkedIn like a madman. You're a bit out of the normal FT cycle and most places have filled their spots in IB, so you're going to drive yourself insane doing a million networking calls with teams that have no open spots.
is being in texas that limiting? Are most people in texas trying to move to NYC?
Same boat. Keep your head up brother and just keep going. There are opportunities, you just have to find them. It'll all work out in the end just keep applying yourself and best of luck.
GEEGEE
Keep on networking - it will turn up just be patient and do everything you can
You're not alone I'm genuinely going insane but just keept at it and you'll land something.
Can you go to any of your former bosses at the buyside gig and ask for help? If you were a strong performer, I'm sure they could/would help.
just got my offer keep going
which bank if you don’t mind
kudos!
I haven’t gotten an interview since late August. I think I’m cooked ngl. So depleted at this point
In the same boat. Keep grinding
Felt the same way, but something pulled through when I thought it was about cooked.
in same boat gotta keep going
Same boat asw
Any advice to find postings not on LinkedIn etc? I feel like ops are limited atm to apply to
It sucks but literally write down every shop you can think of and periodically check their careers portal for openings. A lot will let you set notifications for new postings so you can streamline the grind a bit that way.
Add a cover letter when you can. Also, keep applying. I’ve had recruiters call 3 weeks later and recruiters call the next day. I’ve had job interview processes take a week and job interviews take 4 months. I know people it took 6 months. So just keep applying. Remember off cycle is not a friendly time for entry level.
Now that DEI and H1B are dead, wonder what folks are gonna blame their skill issues on…
Ditto, it's a slog, but keep it up, we'll land something.
As someone who interned at a BB in NYC and didn’t get an offer, it felt like everything was crumbling down, but grinded senior year to land at another BB in NYC
would you share roughly what month you got the offer? no RO BB intern who is losing hope on any new postings coming up
Do banks keep posting FT positions throughout the year or are everyone recruiting now only (London)?
We r all cooked
Anyone have any interviews coming up
Zero
Got no return from a balance sheet bank in a product and landed at another in a coverage... truly, if you had bad mid-term feedback, that's your move to start dialing the phone to get into processes early during the summer. The first week after internships end matter so much
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