This is so depressing
This isn't meant to be a coherent post. It's this application season hitting me hard (London)........
Trending Content - Investment Banking Forum
Career Resources
WSO Free Modeling Series - Now Open Through
September 30, 2026
9 Free Financial Modeling Lessons
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
High Finance Applications
Guaranteed
Get at least one offer GUARANTEED
- 1:1 support
- 92% success rate
- 2,000+ mentor network
- Unlimited Live bootcamps
- AI for resume + LinkedIn
- Networking automation tools
- HireVue simulation tool
- Full course library
- Private Slack community
- 20hrs of mocks
- + much more...
It sounds like you're going through a tough time with the application season in London. Rejection can be incredibly disheartening, especially when you're putting in so much effort. Here are a few points to consider:
Stay strong and keep pushing forward.
Damn—nothing seems to be working
how many 1:1 calls did you do leading up to recruiting season?
Environment is very different in London- HR runs the show, networking can be helpful but not directly useful in most cases like US/CAN
Networking has SO MANY benefits, even in the UK where HR is more involved early.
1. Your answer why X firm/group and industry knowledge improves 10x if you're well networked within a firm
2. If you're well networked within a firm, when you speak with HR, there will be a bias in your favor
3. When you get to the assessment center and you've spoken with 3 of the 7 pros that give you a final round, do you think that is a significant advantage over someone who has 0-1?
4. The act of speaking to professionals in the industry prior to ACs helps you refine your why, your TMAY..it even makes your hirevues better
5. After 100+ calls, you are naturally a better conversationalist AND a better speaker
...we've placed thousands of kids in London...I hate this refrain that "it's different here" because it gives London students an excuse not to dramatically tilt the odds in their favor.
If you're not aggressively networking in London you are doing it wrong. Period.
Hey same here man, want to chat about it?
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6940372
Luck/randomness plays too big of a factor for you to take it personally. There's also the diversity stuff however that's a whole different story.
Vel dicta accusamus magnam soluta debitis laboriosam iste. Voluptas alias dolores sed perferendis corporis laborum molestias. Mollitia et eum voluptates id. Rem distinctio nobis consectetur distinctio molestiae sed. Sint quas culpa quisquam quia aut velit. Iusto omnis laborum architecto. Illo beatae animi unde et ut qui harum eligendi.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...