I've seen a few posts around here by interns without return offers who feel as though their career and life are over, suffering from mental health issue. It saddens me to see this and I wanted to offer some perspective from someone 8+ years into the industry.
I did not receive a return offer form a BB and felt despair as well similar to you all. I was able to turn this around and eventually get another banking role, work in PE and get promoted ultimately to land on my ass now currently unemployed looking for jobs. I've felt similar to you all in terms of unworthiness and depression so hear me out.
While my intention is not to dismiss anyone's mental health issues, I believe you all need perspective. Life is full of highs and lows, this is an undeniable truth for everyone. The friend you see on LinkedIn who seems to be crushing it will experience hardships at some point and likely has already, so do not compare or think you are alone. If you look at the successful careers of any major figures (Henry Ford, Oprah, Bloomberg, Dalio) they all suffered severe setbacks. This is part of the process and I encourage you all to focus on only the things you can control each day. If you are experiencing mental health issues I strongly encourage you to find professional help as well - you would be shocked how pervasive mental health problems are in this demanding industry.
I'll leave you with this quote below from Rocky to keep in mind as well:
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place, and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!"
Really appreciate this, this semester has been full of stress, and it feels like right when I'm near the finish line I end up back at square one every single time. Will definitely keep at it and potentially pivot if absolutely necessary
Also big fan of this quote from Rocky - thank you for the advices.
Another words from Thomas Jefferson that helped me alot: “I am a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.”
Thanks man. I was gonna off myself, but that Rocky quote really saved me.
smoke frog u always troll me on this site I would appreciate if u took a look at my serious post, I think you would be able to opine very well. I really appreciate it and ill forever be a Smoke Frog fan for life
https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/private-equity/dumb-to-leave-high…
Ok. But I prefer being nice in the DMs for future reference. I have a rep to keep out here.
You will be just fine. Friend of mine did not get return from LMM firm - landed another LMM for FT, then lateraled to EB, then to MF PE and now works at a top HF.
Its just privileged but insecure people crying because they didn’t land an EB/BB offer.
I’m sorry, but if someone says they’re considering ending their life over recruiting, I’d take that seriously. At the same time, missing out on an EB/BB offer doesn’t mean your career is over. There are hundreds of lower and middle market shops where you can build a great career. Acting like those options are beneath you is a pretty privileged take.
Plenty of students interested in finance miss out on opportunities because of connections, questionable applications, or plain luck. They still have to find a way forward. A rejection sucks, but life isn’t over, bro.
To bounce off of this! I think it’s important for all of us to experience failure in our lives! The more we fail the more we learn! Without failure there is no knowledge or experience! I am barely just starting to figure out my path in life! It’s important for me to keep my head held high while the world waits for the perfect opportunity for me to bow head in defeat! While we all have the potential to do and be good! Least not settle for just good let’s settle for great! Not only for ourselves but for our legacies! Do we want to be know as people who tried and failed and gave up or do we want to be remembered as people that tried and rose up!? “Sorry for the long comment and for it being cringe”
ft recruiting without a return offer is a different game but it exists. most bb/eb spots go to returns, so the real market is mm and regional banks hiring full time analysts august through october. they post less on career sites - you find them through networking and alumni, not portals. on the "why no return" question, one sentence, no drama. group did fewer returns, headcount got cut, whatever is true, then move to what you want next. interviewers have heard every version, they only get weird if you get weird about it. and if the timeline stretches, valuation, transaction services, corp dev all keep the door open - some people end up preferring them anyway.
Life isn’t over at all. I didn’t get a return but ended up in a great spot and wrapping up year 2 in PE at a well known MM shop. Just take the learnings, ground yourself to reset and get back at it.
I’m worried that I’m too late in the cycle now that it’s late October.
For the late-October question, turn the search into two lists: teams with a confirmed opening and teams worth building a relationship with. For each live role, track the posting date, analyst level, start date and hiring contact. When an alumnus replies, ask whether the team is hiring now, when it needs someone to start, and who owns that process. That gives you a concrete next action instead of another open-ended coffee chat.
LedgerShelf’s point about the no-return explanation is useful: keep it to one truthful sentence, then move to the work you did and what you learned. Prepare two specific internship examples you can discuss in depth, with confidential details removed. Review the search each week by conversations and interviews generated: no replies means revisit your target list and message; conversations without interviews means clarify fit and hiring timing; interviews without progress means work on the recurring feedback. October is a reason to check each team’s actual needs and widen the search, rather than assume every recruiting process has the same deadline.
Didn’t get return, landed MM, lateraled to EB and BB after Y1 at MM. Currently staring at 2 MM PE offers. You’re going to be fine.
Feel as though I am too late as it is October… any advice?
There’s still roles constantly opening, keep applying and networking not only with open roles but with other groups you’re interested in. Push through bro u got it. For context, I just got an offer last week, so there’s definitely still openings and as people upgrade/renege and banks re-adjust headcount, we’ll definitely see some new spots open up.
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