Full Time 2025 Panic Mode -- Multiple Final Round Rejections
Hey All,
I am a senior at a solid target school. The fund I was with did not extend any return offers -- and have been grinding out full time recruiting for the past few months. I have had some great shots on goal, Final rounds/Superdays at 5 jobs great spots. Unfortunately, I have been rejected from each. I have interviewed at a range of firms -- banks, PE/VC funds and MBB shops.
Many of the standard openings have been filled out -- and was wondering if any of you all had advice on where to look for rolls. I am doing the standard LinkedIn and email networking, but have just been grinded down over the last few months. I got 2 irons in the fire which seem to have a low likely hood of success, it seems like there are only a few roles out there -- mostly in real estate. Should I just try to take any role to have a job or try to focus down top roles? Would it make sense to take a role in an area (like real estate) which I know nothing about and don't have most interest or hold out hope for a role in my areas of interest (broadly technology, industrials, FIG)
Is this an incorrect assessment? Is there hope for Q1 or Q2 job openings popping up? I would appreciate any advice you all can offer.
Bump, in a similar spot
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Finance/consulting job market is low key cooked at the moment so I would not take it personally. Depending on where your school is, maybe try finance in "non-desirable" locations that are not NYC. Even doing risk at GS in Dallas for 6 months-year would get you interviews for lateral first year ib analyst jobs at pretty much every bank considering you would have Ivy league or ivy caliber undergrad, GS Branding, and maybe knock out the SIE + S63 in a couple weeks after graduating.
Be cautiously optimistic that more FT roles might open up next year given expectations of more deals. However, as you've probably experienced at this point, it's pretty tough to shake the red flag of not getting a return offer. Even if the reason why you didn't get a RO was legitimate, firms interviewing you probably won't take your explanation at face value. Just for reference, I know 3 people who didn't get return offers from NYC BBs/EBs this year, and only one of them has been able to land something full-time at a pretty good MM IB shop.
You are right that firms are suspicious by the lack of return offer. I was trying to go right to the buyside, so when I got the PE internship I took it over recruiting for banks/MBBs. The fund I was with over the summer hasnt raised their next fund yet, and don't know if they will need me around. I appreciate the data on your friends who didn't get their returns. Looking forward to the hope on increased deal flow in Q1/Q2. Just punched up my resume and cover letters to hopefully get more responses.
Do you think it makes sense to keep reaching out to bankers where no roles are posted and analysts have said they won't be hiring for ft 25?
What are the other two doing now?
Bump curious
I’m OP, got a VC analyst job for ft!
You can leverage the WSO application tracker with a ton of new openings (constantly updated)
You can filter (FT roles / Internships etc..)
https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/academy/dashboard/tracker
Good luck!
ps ~ it's 100% free
Take another year if possible and get another major or a certificate. Huge wall of '25 resumes looking for a home. Competition is unbelievable. Only way to get to the top of the stack is to reorient yourself as a '26 product.
How did it work out for you?
Got a VC analyst job!
How did you find it out of curiosity?
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