was SA at BB but declined by boutique for interviews

Why is this happening? Literally just found out I was rejected for first round interviews with 3 different boutiques. 3.7 GPA, 4 leadership positions, target school, IBD BB SA Internship. What am I doing wrong? I didn't get a return offer to the group, so this actually concerns me.

Thanks guys

20 Comments
 

are there any good people out there who have serious advice and are actually willing to help? Is it possible that smaller firms reject people who they think are using them for safety options?

 

Not saying this is the case, but have you taken a hard look at your personality? Your resume is obviously strong enough to warrant all those interviews and the summer analyst role, but perhaps you don't interview well? The no FT offer from the internship is a red flag because your resume surely didnt change from the beginning of summer to the end of it. Not saying this is necessary the case, but I'd focus on your "soft" skills more than the resume.

"I don't know how to explain to you that you should care about other people."
 

I applied through my school's career website. I actually think I have more "soft skills" than "hard skills" ( voted best personality in high school senior superlatives haha) am a

 

Oneman is right. MM is typically more tight nit and regional (more so than BB in a sense). It's one thing to be confident in a interview, and another to come off as cocky little shit head and uninterested (not saying that you were). The one thing that will blow your dick off in an interview faster than anything is: lack of interest, lack of passion, and good attitude or lack thereof I should say.

Ace all your PE interview questions with the WSO Private Equity Prep Pack: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/guide/private-equity-interview-prep-questions
 

but the problem is..

I don't understand why I'm not getting these interviews in the first place. They flat out rejected me for first round interviews

 

post your resume

Ace all your PE interview questions with the WSO Private Equity Prep Pack: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/guide/private-equity-interview-prep-questions
 
Best Response

1) they simply didn't have many slots open and found someone better (or someone who networked their way in better) than you (its possible, as FT opps get more applicants for smaller spaces- they may have had summer interns getting some of the FT opps) Overall I'd say FT Boutique Interview is harder to get than SA BB Interview (esp. sans-networking) 2) a combination of the competitiveness of the above and the preference for boutiques to hire more relevant majors (not a big deal at Lazard but overall boutiques don't have the comprehensive training that BBs do) 3) people calling an undergrad with no FT work experience "overqualified" is obviously something done to spare someone's ego! You don't need to feel bad though. As someone with a 3.7 and a SA at a BB, you'll find something sooner rather than later.

 

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