How many graduating May 23 without a FT offer?

Hearing through networking calls that many who were targeting various finance roles are graduating without jobs while some are really underemployed. They are freaking out.  Are you hearing the same or is this more limited to my semi-target? 

81 Comments
 

Can confirm. I am getting fucked and most likely will be graduating with no job. Not sure what to do, and definitely don't want to take something with no mobility. 

 

What options do you have that traditionally limit mobility? Maybe those rules don't apply in a recession and it is helpful to pass time in an adjacent role until things turn around?

Would be interesting to hear how graduates in 2008-10 managed this and where they ended up. 

 

Know two who had back office jobs at fairly large banks. Both got laid off and both ended up getting their MDs (medical degrees). Statistically, medical school became a lot harder to get into post GFC (average GPAs / MCATs for 2005-2006 are substantially lower on average than even 5 years later). A weird anomaly that I've noticed.

 

Yes, I’m in the same boat, even with multiple IB internships, no offers yet. I’ve had like 7 superdays, and even more processes where I was like 4 rounds in and didn’t move on. It’s really tough out here, and I don’t know what to do.

 

don’t want to offend you, but I was in a similar position where most interviews ive gotten, ive reached superday but couldnt pull thru on the offer. At that point, we may have to ask whether or not its just us because a lot of candidates are in a tough spot due to lack of interviews/opportunities

 

No FT, but after graduation I'll be doing another SA at a BB this June. This bank tends to convert a significant proportion of their summer class to FT so I'm banking on that. 

 

How are you interning after graduation? don't most banks have a hard cutoff for expected graduation dates?

 

I'm in the UK, it's different here. Most BB's allow final year students to apply without having a masters lined up.

Some banks even fill the majority of their classes with final year students instead of penultimate years.

 

UK based, requirements to be in your penultimate year don't exist here for many firms.

 

I’m struggling man. Multiple IB and PE internships at known shops but struggling to get looks / convert

 

my boat basically - feel free to pm if you need to talk or anything, otherwise let’s keep on pushing!

the interviewers nice enough to not ghost me & follow up abt the position being canceled or too competitive would email me back saying to keep pushing & a great opp will come - let’s do this!

 

Love the positivity - once we hit the desks, it’s stuff like this that will propel us forward! All the best with your process and I know you will land something great, my friend.

 

Canadian here, graduated from a US semi target and still tryna land a IB gig. Aiming for regional boutiques at this point but idk if they typically sponsor work visas. Any insight would be greatly appreciated

 

Yep similar situations but honestly don’t even know what to do, been networking and going at it but seems like everyone is done. Those of you who had SDs can you share what banks they were for so I don’t atleast waste my time with them

 

I feel you bruh, feeling so lost at this point. Note even sure if it’s worth the time to recruit/network in the US any more in this market being a foreigner

 

I’m one of those people. Was a SA at a bank that gave 50% returns last year to their interns due to “market conditions” I just graduated. I still don’t have a job despite working my ass off so far. Literally don’t know what to do.

 

In a situation where I have a return offer but have spending over a year networking trying to land an offer with a different firm. So far just feel super sick and nauseous having to think about going back to the firm I interned at. Did you feel this way and if so was there anything you did to help make the feeling go away ?

 

In a situation where I have a return offer but have spending over a year networking trying to land an offer with a different firm. So far just feel super sick and nauseous having to think about going back to the firm I interned at. Did you feel this way and if so was there anything you did to help make the feeling go away ?

 

In a situation where I have a return offer but have spending over a year networking trying to land an offer with a different firm. So far just feel super sick and nauseous having to think about going back to the firm I interned at. Did you feel this way and if so was there anything you did to help make the feeling go away ?

 

In a situation where I have a return offer but have spending over a year networking trying to land an offer with a different firm. So far just feel super sick and nauseous having to think about going back to the firm I interned at. Did you feel this way and if so was there anything you did to help make the feeling go away ?

 

King_Julian:

I’m one of those people. Was a SA at a bank that gave 50% returns last year to their interns due to “market conditions” I just graduated. I still don’t have a job despite working my ass off so far. Literally don’t know what to do.

My firm is hiring if interested. PM me

 

I’m in the exact same spot as you. Was basically told I was expected to get one from most of the senior colleagues I worked with, but hiring constraints were tight so 50% of the interns got one and unfortunately that did not include me. Feeling stuck with the “label” of not having one now when recruiting.

 

I’m in the exact same spot as you. Was basically told I was expected to get one from most of the senior colleagues I worked with, but hiring constraints were tight so 50% of the interns got one and unfortunately that did not include me. Feeling stuck with the “label” of not having one now when recruiting.

 

I’m in the exact same spot as you. Was basically told I was expected to get one from most of the senior colleagues I worked with, but hiring constraints were tight so 50% of the interns got one and unfortunately that did not include me. Feeling stuck with the “label” of not having one now when recruiting.

 

Graduating November ‘23 from a non-target with nothing on the table. Interned for a year at a boutique with the plan to convert to full-time and got shafted by deal flow/capacity. A truly unfortunate spot to be in and I know many others are in the same position. That said, people recruited during 2001, during 2008/2009, and during covid and landed jobs. Staying committed to the pursuit and am confident we will all land where we were supposed to.

 

Same here. Went from midsized buy-side shop sophomore summer to BB Junior summer and now networking and recruiting my ass off for FT. Very few interviews and very little success overall. It’s a bloodbath.

 
Most Helpful

so sorry to hear. its my boat as well, and its been a tough time both mentally and financially for both me and my family. this is coming from a mentor of mine who was at both tiger & viking - he told me that no matter how much the economy, technology, or any other factors change, one thing thats been true forever on wall street is that if you're extremely persistent, even if you get a gazillion no's, rejections, and failures, you will eventually find some sort of opportunity and its always some combination of hard work, preparation, and luck. with that being said, let's keep fighting the good fight and get the opportunity that we owe ourselves!

 

anyone still actively recruiting?

as for my end, i have been getting interviews, and hope to have something signed before december. just have been running into too much competition or companies canceling the positions entirely.

what about everyone else?

 

Most people usually land something by graduation or a few months after, although it’s not always the coveted bb or eb analyst position. Plenty of boutiques and mid/back office roles out there 

 

Anyone still recruiting here? In a few processes currently, but its really tough. 

 

Doloremque non numquam expedita architecto molestiae non ea. Doloribus veniam ad velit. Odio qui animi eveniet cumque sed nobis. Blanditiis in dolorem nobis optio rerum voluptatem. Debitis vel quas ut autem tenetur qui nesciunt. Incidunt facere autem sapiente consequatur omnis consequatur laborum. Maiores laudantium reiciendis dolorem maxime.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”