44 Comments
 

Usually when I'm feeling uncertain or unclear about something I reach down and get a firm grasp on my testicles. Generally, that's enough of a wake up call.

Man up.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

When I feel uncertain or unclear, I stop being uncertain or unclear and be awesome instead. True story.

ivoteforthatguyRecruiting sucks in every field.
- Bulls make money. Bears make money. Pigs get slaughtered. - The harder you work, the luckier you become. - I believe in the "Golden Rule": the man with the gold rules.
 

If you go to an ivy or other target, please don't complain. It's 10x harder for us non-target kids who barely have anyone that is even at those banks

 
Best Response

Dude recruiting is miserable at any stage, but how miserable it is depends on where you are in your career. I think college recruiting (for full-time, not summer internships, for summer internships it's horrendous because there are very few spaces relative to demand) is actually relatively easy. The firms come to you instead of you going to them, and they know exactly what they are getting. Expectations are fairly low, and you can choose a wide variety of fields and sub-fields.

Think about a VP that gets fired, has done one thing for the last 10 years, and has a lot of liabilities, family, etc. to maintain and has lost his income. That is a much more miserable situation than whatever you're going through.

I remember being uber stressed out about summer internship recruiting only to find full-time recruiting loads easier; so if that's your situation, relax.

 
alexpasch I remember being uber stressed out about summer internship recruiting only to find full-time recruiting loads easier; so if that's your situation, relax.

Ya, but if you don't get an SA postition, would FT still be easier?

 
alexpaschI remember being uber stressed out about summer internship recruiting only to find full-time recruiting loads easier; so if that's your situation, relax.

I had the exact same experience. SA recruiting sucked for me, but full-time recruiting actually went much better. So if you guys can't land a BB SA gig right now, it's definitely not the end of the world. Just make sure to do something meaningful over the summer and you'll be in a decent position come FT recruiting season.

Good Luck everyone!

 

I don't understand all of the non-target stuff. I go to a non-target and have an average GPA. I networked with 2 or 3 people at the VP level or lower and got 3 phone interviews with BB's, which resulted in 3 superdays and an SA offer. It doesn't take much effort to network and it's more effective than submitting your resume online or even going through OCR sometimes.

 
GotBushels
nb84I don't understand all of the non-target stuff. I go to a non-target and have an average GPA. I networked with 2 or 3 people at the VP level or lower and got 3 phone interviews with BB's, which resulted in 3 superdays and an SA offer...

you must be at least a 818. have you put out yet?

Haha don't kid yourself...I put a 919 at the top of my resume where my name should be. Maybe that's the real trick.

 

You guys are so soft. You are 22 and have 0 consequences if you dont get offers. Just wait until 7 years from now when you have a wife and a 2 year old kid, we are in the midst of the next financial crisis, and every time you walk into the office you hope not to get a tap on the shoulder from your boss asking if "you've got a second to talk". Then look back and laugh about how easy this process is...

 
BondarbYou guys are so soft. You are 22 and have 0 consequences if you dont get offers. Just wait until 7 years from now when you have a wife and a 2 year old kid, we are in the midst of the next financial crisis, and every time you walk into the office you hope not to get a tap on the shoulder from your boss asking if "you've got a second to talk". Then look back and laugh about how easy this process is...

I agree that your situation would definitely be more dire, but I think that it's a matter of perspective. To most of us trying to get into this business, it seems like not getting an SA offer will result in having to do something semi-IB related as an intern, then having an even more difficult time getting a FT offer. Your chances seem to continue to get lower and lower as time goes by, then you have to go to b-school in order to try to start the process over again as an associate. While this scenario may not be 100% accurate, it is definitely the thought that runs through quite a few undergrads minds.

 
nb84
BondarbYou guys are so soft. You are 22 and have 0 consequences if you dont get offers. Just wait until 7 years from now when you have a wife and a 2 year old kid, we are in the midst of the next financial crisis, and every time you walk into the office you hope not to get a tap on the shoulder from your boss asking if "you've got a second to talk". Then look back and laugh about how easy this process is...

I agree that your situation would definitely be more dire, but I think that it's a matter of perspective. To most of us trying to get into this business, it seems like not getting an SA offer will result in having to do something semi-IB related as an intern, then having an even more difficult time getting a FT offer. Your chances seem to continue to get lower and lower as time goes by, then you have to go to b-school in order to try to start the process over again as an associate. While this scenario may not be 100% accurate, it is definitely the thought that runs through quite a few undergrads minds.

You think thats bad? Think of this, you goto your SA you mess up and underperform. You get no return offer and no recommendation. Your MD does not even take your calls after he gives your final pay cheque. I have known guys who that happened to them, you think not getting a SA gig is bad, think about getting no offer and not being able to explain it at all in future interviews.

Now are you going to run scared and freak out daily, when your MD rips on you? Seriously if you think recruiting is pressure wait till you get the gig. Again enjoy recruiting and calm down your 22.

 

I don't understand all of the non-target stuff. I go to a non-target and have an average GPA. I networked with 2 or 3 people at the VP level or lower and got 3 phone interviews with BB's, which resulted in 3 superdays and an SA offer. It doesn't take much effort to network and it's more effective than submitting your resume online or even going through OCR sometimes.

----> very true, I got a SA BB with minimal effort last summer but everyone and every year is different so don't assume that you weren't lucky with your efforts.

 

Guys...I do not mean to be mean but spend a little less time on WSO worrying about every little detail of your life or feeling sorry for yourself. Instead spend that time networking, improving your resumes, improving your in interview skills, or rereading the WSO guides.

Basically, take a step back to look at your approach. If you are doing the same things over and over and getting the same negative results maybe you need to change something - insert Einstein's definition of insanity. Be proactive guys. Trust me it sucks but "where there is a will there is a way" (cliches become cliches for a reason) I graduated in May 2009 (the lost year) with average GPA from an average school with sub par internships. My path wasn't easy or pretty but sometimes you have to make things happen to get what you want.

Plus, if it was easy would you really want it? Every guy can bag a 515 on a Friday night but we like the 919s even more because they are hotter and harder to get.

http://putupyourdukes.wordpress.com/2008/07/14/the-area-code-rating-sys… (area code ratings)

 
michaelj901Guys...I do not mean to be mean but spend a little less time on WSO worrying about every little detail of your life or feeling sorry for yourself. Instead spend that time networking, improving your resumes, improving your in interview skills, or rereading the WSO guides.

Basically, take a step back to look at your approach. If you are doing the same things over and over and getting the same negative results maybe you need to change something - insert Einstein's definition of insanity. Be proactive guys. Trust me it sucks but "where there is a will there is a way" (cliches become cliches for a reason) I graduated in May 2009 (the lost year) with average GPA from an average school with sub par internships. My path wasn't easy or pretty but sometimes you have to make things happen to get what you want.

Plus, if it was easy would you really want it? Every guy can bag a 515 on a Friday night but we like the 919s even more because they are hotter and harder to get.

http://putupyourdukes.wordpress.com/2008/07/14/the-area-code-rating-sys… (area code ratings)

Genius...I will be using this system and forcing it on others from here on out. You deserve some sort of medal or at least a ceremony.

 
nb84
michaelj901Guys...I do not mean to be mean but spend a little less time on WSO worrying about every little detail of your life or feeling sorry for yourself. Instead spend that time networking, improving your resumes, improving your in interview skills, or rereading the WSO guides.

Basically, take a step back to look at your approach. If you are doing the same things over and over and getting the same negative results maybe you need to change something - insert Einstein's definition of insanity. Be proactive guys. Trust me it sucks but "where there is a will there is a way" (cliches become cliches for a reason) I graduated in May 2009 (the lost year) with average GPA from an average school with sub par internships. My path wasn't easy or pretty but sometimes you have to make things happen to get what you want.

Plus, if it was easy would you really want it? Every guy can bag a 515 on a Friday night but we like the 919s even more because they are hotter and harder to get.

http://putupyourdukes.wordpress.com/2008/07/14/the-area-code-rating-sys… (area code ratings)

Genius...I will be using this system and forcing it on others from here on out. You deserve some sort of medal or at least a ceremony.

haha really bro...

nb84I don't understand all of the non-target stuff. I go to a non-target and have an average GPA. I networked with 2 or 3 people at the VP level or lower and got 3 phone interviews with BB's, which resulted in 3 superdays and an SA offer. It doesn't take much effort to network and it's more effective than submitting your resume online or even going through OCR sometimes.
nb84

Genius...I will be using this system and forcing it on others from here on out. You deserve some sort of medal or at least a ceremony.

 
nb84
michaelj901Guys...I do not mean to be mean but spend a little less time on WSO worrying about every little detail of your life or feeling sorry for yourself. Instead spend that time networking, improving your resumes, improving your in interview skills, or rereading the WSO guides.

Basically, take a step back to look at your approach. If you are doing the same things over and over and getting the same negative results maybe you need to change something - insert Einstein's definition of insanity. Be proactive guys. Trust me it sucks but "where there is a will there is a way" (cliches become cliches for a reason) I graduated in May 2009 (the lost year) with average GPA from an average school with sub par internships. My path wasn't easy or pretty but sometimes you have to make things happen to get what you want.

Plus, if it was easy would you really want it? Every guy can bag a 515 on a Friday night but we like the 919s even more because they are hotter and harder to get.

http://putupyourdukes.wordpress.com/2008/07/14/the-area-code-rating-sys… (area code ratings)

Genius...I will be using this system and forcing it on others from here on out. You deserve some sort of medal or at least a ceremony.

This is from Beautiful Girls, a 1996 movie. There is a scene where they go over this (they do face, body, personality, so any area code is possible); it's nothing new. It's even alluded to in the trailer:

(go to second 36)
 

Although I am not here to complain at all, a few comments:

nb84-I don't think it's that easy for most people. I've had several alumni pass on my resume (including a few VP's), and have only gotten 1 interview so far, no offers. And even though it's a non-target, my school is very well-respected, and my resume isn't bad. I know this is true for others who have very strong resumes too. Also, you obviously must have good interviewing skills. Congrats, but many people don't. (again, not complaining personally but just showing where the complainers come from)

michaelj-I always do it as l "991" "551" "220" etc. Love the Rosie Odonnel at the end of the page haha..

To the discouraged out there-While I'm in a similar position, I just think about it like this--1. If you don't get an SA somewhere, you're not out of the running for FT. It may be tougher, but you'll have time to up your networking, practice interview skills, etc. Assuming you can get a respectable finance internship, hope is not lost. (disclaimer: I'm still in college too so this is based on hearsay) 2. If you don't get a SA...you get to enjoy the last real summer of your life. Once in the working world, you don't get summer breaks. Would it really be so terrible to intern 9-5 and then chill with your buddies all summer? I may be in the minority with this line of thought..

 
ibintxAlthough I am not here to complain at all, a few comments:

nb84-I don't think it's that easy for most people. I've had several alumni pass on my resume (including a few VP's), and have only gotten 1 interview so far, no offers. And even though it's a non-target, my school is very well-respected, and my resume isn't bad. I know this is true for others who have very strong resumes too. Also, you obviously must have good interviewing skills. Congrats, but many people don't. (again, not complaining personally but just showing where the complainers come from)

michaelj-I always do it as l "991" "551" "220" etc. Love the Rosie Odonnel at the end of the page haha..

To the discouraged out there-While I'm in a similar position, I just think about it like this--1. If you don't get an SA somewhere, you're not out of the running for FT. It may be tougher, but you'll have time to up your networking, practice interview skills, etc. Assuming you can get a respectable finance internship, hope is not lost. (disclaimer: I'm still in college too so this is based on hearsay) 2. If you don't get a SA...you get to enjoy the last real summer of your life. Once in the working world, you don't get summer breaks. Would it really be so terrible to intern 9-5 and then chill with your buddies all summer? I may be in the minority with this line of thought..

I may have some strong interview skills, but there is also some luck involved regarding who you connect with and what mood they're in.

 

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