Post Offer Black Hole - SA 2026

I'm fortunate enough to have accepted an offer this week for my number one spot. I thought I would feel different and be able to relax, but investment banking is still on my mind 24/7. I know this sounds like a shit post but it's not. For the past 6 months, I've just been consumed by the recruiting process and let it take up so much space in both my head and my schedule. Now that I have an offer, I'm struggling to decide what to put my time to. Just sitting around has me feeling like a bum.

I'm beyond grateful to come out of this process with an offer, especially one I really wanted, but I'm wondering if anyone else has felt this way? What did you do?

7 Comments
 

You need new goals - after grinding for so long, it’ll help to replace one goal with another and put your 100% into that as you slowly ramp down. Fitness, chess, mentorship… maybe start learning to model or find an interesting semi-finance book to ease back to normalcy.

 

Congrats on landing the offer—huge accomplishment! It makes sense that after being so consumed by the recruiting process, it’s hard to switch gears. You’ve done the hard work for the most part, so now it’s about maintaining that momentum. Maybe go over your technicals for the role just to stay sharp, and take some time to explore activities that interest you outside of work—whether it’s sports, watches, cars, or even food. Anything that helps you unwind and get your mind off of it for a bit. It’s all about finding that balance now that the pressure’s off.

 

Quo eligendi porro ipsa magni qui. Ipsam et quae qui quae.

Maiores ut veniam eos perferendis qui. Molestiae saepe ipsa blanditiis aut rerum. Consequatur et qui aliquam cum praesentium et.

Deleniti molestiae quidem accusantium quidem atque dolor. Beatae blanditiis enim quia ut deserunt. Minima rem consequatur fugit quod maiores aut aliquid sint. Provident voluptatem et fugiat.

Reprehenderit voluptatem eaque aut distinctio et. Harum omnis architecto fuga repellendus velit rerum. Ex quis suscipit veritatis possimus mollitia aperiam est. Est reiciendis architecto eos fugit impedit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”