No BB RO 2026
Hi everyone,
Currently struggling to process no return offer from a bb in London. I was one of their most staffed interns in one of the top 3 desks, and this was very surprising since I had no hint beforehand. One and the only reason I can think of is an ED not being fond of me for no real reason. His behaviour was clearly VERY different with me vs other interns in the team and associates in my team noticed that too and told me about this during our coffee chats,
Just 2 days before the final decision the associate who I worked the most with told me he has very high hopes for me which further made me so much more confident about the situation. Final review was very vague!! like very vague + since they started with the decision I was too disturbed to focus on the rest.
This was my final year of masters and I've very limited options now - some off-cycles & grad programs! Id be very open to any advice there might be. At this point my only hope is that this intern will make my cv strong to pass screenings.
Not getting a return offer, especially when it feels unexpected, can be tough to process. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s a structured approach to move forward:
1. Take Time to Process
2. Leverage Your Internship Experience
3. Network Strategically
4. Target Off-Cycle and Graduate Programs
5. Prepare for Interviews
6. Stay Persistent
7. Consider Feedback
Remember, this is a temporary setback. Many professionals have faced similar challenges and gone on to have successful careers. Keep pushing forward!
Sources: no return offer, No return offer - advice needed, 7 Tips on Reneging, no return offer
It sucks man and sorry for you. I think off cycles are your best options and they have often very good conversion rates. I can think of MS, BofA, DB
Very sorry to hear that. I don't think I can offer much other than some words of encouragement: take a couple days to process/feel, but after that leave it in the past and keep your chin up.
The whole "rejection is redirection" is cliche but has truth to it. Imagine having to work full-time under an ED that doesn't like you. You do now know an associate that can vouch for you (reach out!) and likely had valuable learnings that you can use to craft a compelling story for the places you apply to next.
Have been in your shoes - I have very similar memories from a summer internship I did a few years back.
Sorry to hear - it sucks, and it might take a while to get over, depending on how badly you wanted it, how emotionally mature you are, and how much difficulty you've faced in your broader life.
Don't be disheartened - it might feel like a knockdown, but it's better to get tested sooner than later. It took me almost 2 years in internships before I got a job I was happy with - and I'd be happy to pay the same price again.
I'm always going to hire the person I know can get back up after they fall. Tenacity and character - no explanation needed.
"To whom much is given, much is tested"
googled the kanye lyric you posted at the end to find what song it was from and turns out its bible verse 😭
How come in all these failed return offer posts, the intern does great work and is well regarded by everyone one on the team...except for some random associate or VP or ED? And that one random person holds such sway the convince the whole team not to offer a full time job to the intern?
If that associate really is your friend as you say, he can easily tell you off the record what the real reason was for your rejection.
Wouldn't it make sense if RO decisions required unanimity?
Sadly yes and I've got the same answer from the associate too that the final decision was to be made by the ED and he did. Based on all the advices I've received here I have just started sending out messages to everyone else in the team for references etc. I so wish it was more of a team decision but it's not!
Because whether they admit it or not, teams sit down and decide how many they actually need back. Most interns are capable and have good reviews, so often it’s the kid with the one bad review that gets cut because why would you take them over a kid with no bad review?
Line up anyone who will say a good word for you. Have them ready as references. Bring that up proactively in the interview ("I have 3 people who worked with me who are glad to talk to anyone about my work this summer."). The internship experience is an advantage, and the references are an advantage. Don't make up weird stories about the no-offer or try to dodge it. No-offers are common, people don't run for the hills when you get no-offered. Just have those references ready.
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