Post-recruitment confession
Just got a BB IB offer, guess I'm done with recruiting. I thought I'd be happy, but instead I feel SO DISAPPOINTED IN MYSELF than ever. I've never really networked, I didn't even finish the 400 questions, AND I didn't apply to a lot of positions (I don't regularly check job notifications). I got the offer because I'm diversity, I'm at a target, I have some past internships (some not even in finance), and some BB analyst reached out. I had accelerated and basically PURE BEHAVIORAL interviews, and I got along with all interviewers very well. Not trying to flex – I REALLY DON'T THINK I DESERVE THIS OFFER. I knew all about how to recruit before going into this, but somehow I just didn't follow my plan. I was always taking my mental health as an EXCUSE and procrastinating. I'm not as prepared as a lot of my peers and I feel like I owe non-diversity people. Moreover, I've started to wonder where I would end up going had I networked hard and prepared the technicals... I just don't understand :( I'm probably the worst candidate out there, why would anyone choose me?
You're being delusional.
You didn't get the offer solely because you're diverse, you likely did well on the behaviorals, and most diversity interviews are still as technical intensive as non-diversity (even if yours wasn't, you may have just connected with interviewers - a quality even more important).
Sure, maybe you didn't prep as hard. The reality is that behind able to communicate authentically and effectively lands you the job. Maybe you were naturally better at that than hardos who over-prepped.
Even if you slipped through the cracks, crush the internship and stop with the imposter syndrome.
funny thing is im the same here. diversity candidate who breezed through without technicals. purely behavioral and like "tell us about a time when" kind of questions. was really surprised at how easy it was. did not network at all, and not really from a targetish school. but a lot of great internships i guess. well i think the most we can do is be thankful and perform our best during the job and show that we are meant to be there!
Being a diverse candidate like black, Hispanic or a women must be so awesome.
Being a white or Asian male in finance sucks during recruiting.
Nahhh this is bullshit. OP had it right. You did get the internship bc you’re diversity. No way around that. However, no need for you to feel guilty about it or get imposter syndrome. EVERYONE would’ve done the same thing in your situation… Take the advantages you’re given and don’t look back.
Just work your ass off during your internship and earn your return offer then you’ll feel better about it all.
Yeah, b/c banks are just handing these offers to any diverse kid they can get their hands on. It's not like there are hundreds or thousands of diverse kids applying.
You either quit or you give your best in the job to prove that you are as useful as the others candidate. Really, nothing more to say.
Dude it's just a banking job, you didn't get entrusted with nuclear codes.
Troll post. You just wrapped up every negative stereotype of diversity recruitment from WSO and littered it with guilt.
Everything from an alternate point of view is always a “troll” isn’t it? People who claim to be open-minded are often the most close-minded people.
I'm not calling it troll because it's an alternative opinion.
I'm calling it troll because it's an obvious troll.
I don’t know if this would make you feel better or worse, but to put it bluntly, tbh you’re just not that special. Despite what everyone says on WSO or else, a lot of people don’t network that hard, don’t prep that much, and stumble into this job bc one person at the bank really liked them. Diversity or otherwise.
I’ve been on both sides of this and it’s really not that deep. The recruitment team for my alma mater will happily vouch for any candidate from our school. I’ve interviewed and pushed through a bunch of people where I can barely remember their name, never mind what they do or how they answered technicals.
Reality is it’s not a hard job and you should be just fine. Or if you’re terrible, you won’t get a return offer since that’s the real interview anyways. Just consider yourself lucky and have some appreciation.
I was in the same exact shoes as you. I'm a woman and POC. I got three summer offers despite only having 1 finance-related internship @ a commercial real estate firm. I did study the 400 questions, but there were many I didn't know the answer to. In interviews, I was rarely asked technical questions I didn't know. It was primarily behavioral. The thought that I didn't deserve this did come to me - and I still don't think I deserve it. BUT I use that as a way to humble myself. I feel like you're being extremely negative. I recommend you seek out a counselor or therapist. "I'm probably the worst candidate out there" - that statement is very alarming. Why do you think so little of yourself? If you got an offer that means they thought you were an extremely good candidate. There are MANY diverse candidates recruiting nowadays. They say NO to many of them! Don't be so harsh on yourself. Sending you love & positivity!!
Classic imposter syndrome. They chose you for a reason my dude. The job isn't rocket science, and there is no doubt that you have the intelligence to function (regardless of how hard you "grinded on technicals").
"I feel like I owe non-diversity people." You don't owe anyone anything.
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