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Hey man - sorry to hear this. Not that this is the same, but I was told I wouldn't get a return offer, so I've had that sinking gut feeling. Couple things I think might help

1) Come guns swinging. Right now as much as the stinging is, everyone affected by headcount reduction will be gunning for seats. Assuming you came from GS, start hitting up your network, aggressively tap head hunters (yes their reputation isn't great but something is better than nothing), and start applying everywhere. I would like at sites like wayup and handshake as well. Nothing is off the table here, and with your experience from banking you should be able to get out there. Lateral market hires is virtually closed, but you can sneak in somewhere. 

2) Use the pain to drive you. You are certainly upset, but sitting in it all day long only makes things worse. Use it to get motivated and try to slug through recruiting. That pain won't go anywhere until you find a new seat, so try and tame it now. 

3) Reflect. Ask yourself - if they didn't tell you - why this happened. Performance? Fit? Neither? Why did others stay and you didn't? These questions are hard to answer or might be impossible, but I think long term it might help formulate a plan. None of us are perfect and we can all do a better job at either fit or performance. Create a plan to try and be better. 

I would wish you luck but the formula in these situations almost rarely involve luck. It's a formula. New opportunity = benefits from previous hard work + new hard work - sorrow *(1+luck). You have the first part built up. You know your stuff and you've built at least somewhat of a network. It's time to grind on the new work, minimize the sorrow, and that luck portion will fall into place. 

 

in the same boat. got ghosted by a girl ive been seeing for half a year the same week. going through it

 

Was laid off along with a large portion of my analyst class during the dor com bust

it sucks, but what kept me motivated was a) working out like a beast. I was never in better shape and b) pounding the pavement to get a job. I set myself the goal of one meaningful lead a day. I also generally like my booze but didn’t drink in that period because I didn’t want any form of sloth or malaise to set in.

ended up getting a job at a small boutique in the space I covered / low pay and no prestige but kept me on the game (a lot of these will be hiring). Within a year, I had a job at one of those shops that people on here rave about and that was history. 
 

it’s totally normal to get laid off in this industry, never take it personally 

 

Imagine you are old and telling stories to your grandkids about your career.  That might be a successful career or an unsuccessful career, or something in between.  It might have any number of ups and downs in it.  But you know what that story definitely won't have: "I would've been fine if I hadn't lost that analyst job". 

This event has very little bearing on your long term future.  Just find another job.  Anything finance related is fine for now.  If you get something as desired as another IB gig, great.  If you get something less desirable, don't hold out.  You can always move back up a track when the job market gets better again.

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