Ghosted After Verbal Confirmation? Boutique IB Internship
Hey everyone, wanted to get some advice on whether I should still be hopeful here or start moving on.
I interviewed last Friday with a small lower middle market investment bank boutique for an off-cycle internship. The call went well, and near the end, it felt like they were essentially confirming I'd be getting an offer. The MD asked if I could work independently, and I made it clear I'm reliable and self-sufficient. He then said they'd be sending me a case early next week as the final step.
I followed up with a thank-you email that day, and a polite bump earlier this week — no reply. It's now Thursday, and I haven't heard a word.
Is this a bad sign, or do boutiques just tend to move like this sometimes? Should I send one more follow-up next week or hold off?
Would appreciate any thoughts from people who've been in similar situations.
It’s not uncommon for boutique investment banks to have slower or less structured processes compared to larger firms, especially when it comes to off-cycle internships. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s how you can approach this situation:
Understand Boutique Timelines: Smaller firms often have fewer resources and may not prioritize internship hiring as urgently as larger banks. Delays can happen due to internal workload or decision-making processes.
Follow-Up Strategy: Since you’ve already sent a polite follow-up earlier this week, it’s best to wait until early next week before reaching out again. When you do, keep it concise and professional. For example:
Keep Networking and Applying: While waiting, continue networking and applying to other opportunities. As highlighted in WSO threads, persistence and diversification in your search are key. Even if this opportunity works out, having multiple options is always beneficial.
Don’t Overthink the Delay: A lack of response doesn’t necessarily mean rejection. As shared in WSO discussions, some candidates have experienced delays of weeks before receiving an offer, especially from boutiques.
Be Prepared for the Case Study: If they do send the case study, ensure you’re ready to tackle it. Review technical concepts and practice similar exercises to demonstrate your skills effectively.
Stay patient but proactive. If you don’t hear back after your next follow-up, it’s reasonable to assume they’ve moved on, but don’t let it discourage you. Keep pushing forward!
Sources: Unemployed and living in parents' basement, losing hope, Following up after sending my resume/how to go about getting an internship., Internal Lateraling Guide, How to Obtain a Sophomore Summer Boutique IB Internship, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/job-search/cold-emailing-to-ask-for-internship-template-advice?customgpt=1
Bump
Boutiques are like this, follow up on tues. I know it’s hard to not get in ur head about these things, but he just prob forgot.
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