Lateral: being strung along?

Hi all,

Want to keep this short: interviewed with a BB 5 months ago. did 12 interviews (2 people per interview, met the whole team). And then got the news I would receive an offer, but at the last check with HR the headcount was cancelled. Was told that when new headcount would be available i'd get an offer, but it has been 5 months. Have had some contact since then and the news was unfortunately negative regarding the headcount.

This really would be the ideal bank/team/opportunity for me so would love to hear anyone who has had similar experiences, as I am about to receive another offer which is better than my current bank but worse than the first offer. Waiting for this offer however would mean rejecting the new offer, so somewhat of a risky move. Like the new offer but that would mean giving up on the (potential) first offer which would really sting.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Would love to hear your feedback!

5 Comments
 

Could be wrong advice but I would Tell the headcount firm you have an offer that is exploding from a competing firm. You want to take the headcount offer but you need to know by X date or else you’ll have to take the offer at other firm.

If headcount is really being compressed and is so important, maybe they are struggling as a group? Could be better off taking other one anyway. I have no idea tho.

 
Most Helpful

This is actually a very real problem and I know some people who have had similar problems. Ultimately, especilally for BBs, there are a lot of approvals that have to be made in order to hire someone. Even though the group may love you and want to take you on, if there is a hiring freeze, the group can't just take you on for a lot of reasons the firm might give.

Definitely do what finbrah said (very good advice) and tell them. I unfortunately don't think they will still be able to accelerate things but it's worth a shot. Is this at a lower-ranked BB? I feel like I know a couple friends who recently got hired into a top group at a low-tiered BB that is growing rapidly while the firm as a whole is hindering them due to its not so rapid growth.

 

Perferendis expedita dolorem ad corrupti quam. Enim nulla sunt voluptatem inventore. Magnam exercitationem accusantium officiis commodi. Pariatur quidem incidunt consequatur et et ipsam.

Repudiandae rerum qui delectus sit suscipit perspiciatis delectus. Ut rerum possimus iusto. Nesciunt molestiae dicta nulla ut quia. Voluptatem voluptas molestiae architecto officia voluptas odit illum.

Hic repudiandae velit sed nesciunt quas. Doloribus accusantium illum atque error.

Magni sapiente et cum necessitatibus. Et est omnis quod omnis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
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...”