Venting about banks wasting time on BS interviews

Not much will get done, but I wanted to vent here and see if I'm the only person who spends hours talking to a firm, meeting the team, taking a numerous-hour model exam, ad sometimes even having a super day only to be told that the team ultimately did not have the budget or they change the location last minute. 
Like, I understand they want to be selective, especially in this macro environment, but please ding me for not knowing my technicals or messing up the model. Please don't waste my time preparing for your numerous interviews, studying for a 2-hour model exam, and then getting dressed up for 6 back-to-back interviews in a super day only to realize you didn't have the budget to hire.

What was even the point? Are teams just trying to flex that they could hire if they wanted to in order to motivate/scare their current juniors into continually working their ass off under the threat that they can easily replace them? 

9 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Happens all the time sadly. Nature of the beast. Some of the US BBs are the worst for it. 

I get hiring freezes - sadly this comes top down. The worst waste of time is interviewing for laterals without approved headcount. 

Our team has a policy of not doing this. It's also a huge waste of time for the bankers who are spending the time. Just wastes everyone's time in a job where time is precious.

Sponsors M&A (London)
 

Does that even happen? Like why would a team bother to interview without approval? Wouldn't they just get shit from HR for doing that?

 

Of course it does. The churn of juniors is high. Perhaps less so in 2022 and 2023 given the market. Happens in the run up to bonus time often. 

HR have very little power in many banks - they take the direction from front office who hold the P&L. Some HR goon isn't going to tell the head of Europe he can't interview people.

Sponsors M&A (London)
 

Harum numquam porro vitae provident sint. Voluptas impedit veniam eveniet eveniet rerum quaerat. Nemo autem qui rerum quas ea eum.

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 (67) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”