In the upside worth the risk?
Incoming SA in CB. Bank giving opportunity to also recruit internally for IB during CB internship period. If successful, my return offer would be for IB. If unsuccessful, no matter how well I did, I wouldn’t receive a return offer for either CB or IB.
I know I want to do IB, and if I didn’t take this opportunity, I’d recruit externally for IB FT anyway. My problem is taking this risk in this job market seems unwise—recruiting FT is always a crapshoot, should I just play it safe and stick with CB, and maybe try to lateral to an IB role after a year or two?
Based on the most helpful WSO content, your situation boils down to weighing the risk of losing a guaranteed CB return offer against the potential upside of securing an IB role. Here are some key considerations:
Your Long-Term Goal: If you are certain that IB is your ultimate career goal, taking the internal recruitment opportunity during your CB internship aligns with your aspirations. Successfully transitioning to IB internally is often easier than lateraling externally, especially in a competitive job market.
Risk Assessment: The downside is clear—if you fail to secure the IB offer, you lose the CB return offer as well. However, you mentioned that you would recruit externally for IB FT anyway if you didn’t take this opportunity. This suggests you’re already prepared to take on the risk of FT recruiting, which is inherently uncertain.
Job Market Conditions: The current job market plays a significant role. If the market is particularly tight, the risk of not securing a FT IB role externally increases. In such a scenario, sticking with CB and lateraling after a year or two might be the safer option.
CB as a Backup: CB is a solid career path and can serve as a stepping stone to IB. Many professionals successfully lateral from CB to IB after gaining experience, especially if they excel in their roles and network effectively.
Your Confidence and Preparation: If you feel confident in your ability to stand out during the internal IB recruitment process and have prepared thoroughly, the risk might be worth taking. On the other hand, if you’re unsure about your chances, playing it safe with CB could be a better move.
Ultimately, this decision depends on your risk tolerance, confidence in your abilities, and how much you value the certainty of a CB return offer versus the potential upside of breaking into IB directly. If you’re willing to take calculated risks and are prepared for the possibility of external FT recruiting, pursuing the IB opportunity internally could be worth it. However, if job security is a priority, sticking with CB and planning a lateral move later might be the wiser choice.
Sources: Why corporate banking instead of investment banking?, Why are IB analysts so butthurt over CB?, Turing down IB FT offer to run my startup?, Was it worth it?
I did the same thing. I wouldnt recommend recruiting for the different division in your bank. Just lock in the return offer for your existing team and recruit for full time positions externally. It becomes easier to get other offers when you know you have an offer locked in as a backstop with your current team.
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