What is the correct mindset? - Lost student
My profile doesnt really matter. I made a throwaway account for this post and I wanted to ask you something.
I have been rejected a lot of times now and since my first year in college/uni I have been trying to get my foot in the door unsuccessfully. Now I cant help but feel that every decent firm (incl small boutiques) will eventually reject me regardless of my accomplishments & character. I have had like 3 interviews in my whole life and I would imagine that this mindset would be obvious in an interview. If I get 1 interview on 100 applications, I cant afford to learn from it. I already have to seem perfect and act as if I didnt have a hard time getting there at all.
How do I shrug off the loser/underdog/expecting to fail mentality when I have absolutely nothing to give me confidence? Neither in personal nor professional plan?
Also, I have ditched my interests so I can give my best chance at this but nothing is happening. It got me thinking that maybe if I didnt actually want to get in IB so much, I could do it easier. I have become a boring, career-driven student that doesn’t even have a career! On top of that I’m broke and I cant really relate to people skiing or travelling or visiting local monuments or whatever.
I really struggle with this because I am really interested in a long-term career in IB. Its not something I just say in interviews. I really mean it. DCM,ECM, M&A - whatever I can get my hands on. I know I could be great in all 3 and beggars cant be choosers.
Also, there isnt anyone I can meet and ask because in my college/uni (like 90% acceptance rate) no one cares about their careers. They just dont get it and they’re enjoying life. Ignorance is a bliss.
I know I’m all over the place. I just feel lost in my approach to everything. I feel out of touch with reality. I would appreciate all advice...
If it's any consolation, I feel like many of us have been in the same boat as you at one point or another in our IB career path, including me.
Really all you can do is continue grinding and sending out applications, reaching out for coffee meetings and just generally networking your ass off. When you are in interviews, try not to be so worried about getting the job and just be yourself. I know that sounds cliche as hell, but it's true. Every guy in IB I've talked to says their interview process is 90% about fit rather than technical knowledge.
Rejection happens a ton, but there will come a time where you finally land the position you want, you just have to keep your sights set on that moment.
When you can't shrug off a feeling, just come to terms with it and accept it. You will notice that it starts having less weight over you the more you accept it. Other than that, the previous guy's advice is good.
You may have to take a stepping stone approach to landing in your desired role. I had to go back to capital markets/investment sales to land in REPE after placing runner-up out of 80 candidates at my dream job. I knew there would be misery there because I had been in it previously and couldn't stand the culture/day-to-day, but I did it and spent 6 months after a year seeking out another opportunity. I finally landed that position after filling out 100+ applications.
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