Trouble Getting First Rounds

Was curious if anyone felt the same way but I'm recruiting for next summer and despite networking/having decent internships/3.8+ GPA I haven't been receiving any first rounds. I go to a target in the Midwest and usually speak to around 3-4 guys before applying. I also follow up with my contacts but in all honesty, have not maintained a relationship after the first call and usually just inform them when I applied. I was also not having the best calls in the beginning of the year when I just started recruiting but have recently gotten much better over the phone. Was curious if anyone has tips for securing that first round, thanks. 

7 Comments
 

What places have you applied to so far? Even with all of what you have, it's still luck for extremely competitive processes like EB's. I'm also from the Midwest but a non-target. Haven't gotten as many first rounds as I would have liked so far but have had 5+ invitations. Maybe you're only applying to the top banks and ignoring MM's and such?

 

Hey I'm in the same situation as you. I have had first rounds at 5+ MMs and one offer but most of those processes were resume drops and much easier to get an interview than EBs. Places I've had success were banks where networking didn't matter as much but I'm mostly targeting the more competitive banks.

 

I totally feel the struggle. I got a referral from an MD and it didn’t even lead to a first round. HR sent me an automated message saying I got referred then completely ghosted me...

 

Would echo what everyone has said. You really just have to network as much as you can everywhere (especially MM) and just keep your net wide. Oftentimes unless an analyst says they’ll push you I wouldn’t assume you’re getting a first. Places like PWP took half diversity, and I know a few nepotism hires plus they have OCR as well and people accelerating. Overall a very very tough spot for you to be in but keep at it

 

Veritatis temporibus non aspernatur expedita. Iste non corporis tempora dignissimos facere sed dolorum maiores. Quia eius laborum quam ut placeat ea quisquam provident. Voluptas aliquam consequatur ut.

Libero voluptatibus omnis quis rerum voluptates. Dolorem non alias est ipsum voluptas velit quia. Rerum corrupti doloremque nulla est voluptatibus itaque. Laborum eius et ex sunt et.

Minus voluptate est perferendis. Inventore modi et et quis consectetur qui voluptas ipsum. Sunt sequi minima natus suscipit.

Perferendis voluptas repellendus doloribus eius quidem dolores voluptatibus. Quia consectetur ratione soluta accusantium unde. Exercitationem corporis vitae eum et.

"Markets can stay irrational longer than you can stay solvent."

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”