Realizing the Hard Truth

As the days wane and I read as others are filling up seats at these banks for IB, I'm slowly realizing my goal of breaking in and getting that offer is dwindling. I'm starting to consider other options like CF or ER. For those that haven't broken into IB and ended up elsewhere, did you also go through this feeling of "shit ig it not happening" and where did you end up if you don't mind me asking. btw im gonna be a junior in college at a non target

7 Comments
 

I was pretty close to giving up but I just got a IB off cycle internship offer today. I would recommend trying to go Big 4 accounting and transition into IB. Also, even if you don’t get the IB internship. The work you have put into IB recruiting sets you apart from so many other people. You know the technicals, you know how to network and how to talk on the phone, you put a lot of practice into interviewing. I have friends in my junior year that still don’t have a resume or a Linkden. It sucks dawgs but look at it on the bright side.

 
Most Helpful

If it helps, here's my story. Last week, after four years of pursuing IB, I got my first offer from a MM IB. I realized an interest for IB in my junior year of college back in 2017 and I come from a HARD non-target. After graduating, going through my first job (non-IB) where my team essentially dissolved, and then second job in valuation, I finally got the offer.

I've been interviewing every single year since 2018 to break into IB, cold mailed more than 200 professionals, applied to more than 400 finance-related positions. Every year, while I'd be fortunate enough to land 1-2 superdays, I never made the cut. Fast forward to August 2021, I finally got my offer.

The takeaway? It's not over if you don't get a job in IB straight out of grad. If you really want it, you'll get it. Just make each move you make as a small step that you take towards banking. 

 

Wow, I really commend the effort man, great story! I know that it isn't an end-all-be-all type scenario if you don't get an IB offer right out of undergrad but I think the thing that's stressing me out the most is comparing myself to my peers and what they're doing. I just have to be content with my path and realize that I'll be fine wherever I end up and if IB is something I really do wanna pursue, I can always try again later down the line

 

Ah, I see. I agree that we naturally compare ourselves to others (I'm guilty of having done that and still doing that time to time), but understand that no one is going to be an apples-to-apples comparison. Also, idk if this going to be a new perspective (or if I'm reading/understanding your statement incorrectly), but I was actually never quite "content" or had the thought of "I'll be fine".  It's quite the opposite actually, and that's what really drove me to keep staying on this path to IB - I knew I wanted it. I'd be happy to provide any further insight/thoughts on questions you might have. I've been trying to give back to the various communities (e.g., WSO, reddit) in whatever way possible that has supported my progression haha.

 

Sit quia est consequatur libero aut. Fugiat ea quam quia dicta velit culpa. Dolorum voluptas id est omnis voluptas. Vitae voluptatibus doloremque libero id similique. Est rerum id deserunt cupiditate doloremque quia nisi.

Labore sint ducimus rerum sed et. Magni quisquam et porro libero a ipsa quis. Quos nostrum repellendus fugit delectus iste fugiat.

Dolore neque illum et vero voluptate et. Vitae iure tenetur repellendus placeat quia eos rem. Consequatur et quasi tenetur sint sint ad. Voluptas ex non necessitatibus officiis culpa itaque impedit.

Aut est quaerat minus numquam. Quisquam fuga dolore occaecati perspiciatis et veritatis. Odio et qui ipsa non assumenda. Fuga explicabo voluptatem recusandae praesentium ut. Qui facere consequatur dolorem ut. Architecto a nihil tenetur qui adipisci et tenetur. Ut voluptas dolor quaerat esse in. Aut quam accusantium maiores ut saepe explicabo omnis est.

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 (66) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”