Best jobs for IB/HF/PE rejects who want to give it a shot next year

Hi everyone in the WSO community,

Let me start by saying I really appreciate everyone's contribution to this website. It is an invaluable tool.
Knowing how valuable your time is I'll get straight to the point and keep it succinct.
Like many of us here I want to get into IB and eventually HF or PE, unless I can get into HF or PE without going through the standard IB.

Because of my background (which I talk about below), I think it will be hard to get a job even at a boutique IB. But I don't want to give up this dream.

I would appreciate it if you could give your opinion (in detail and in order) about which jobs are best for an IB/HF/PE reject, who by working and networking very hard could eventually make a transition into IB/HF/PE. Please take into consideration that an MBA MAY or MAY NOT come into the equation later on.

Based on my research, my list would go like this.

Investment Banking (BB)
1. Boutique IB
2. Sales
3. Trading
4. Prop trading
5. corporate finance in any big company
6. Private wealth management

Hedge Funds
1. IB (obviously)
2. Prop trading

Private Equity
1. IB
2. Management consulting (very difficult)

On the flip side:

Jobs to avoid at all costs:
1. back office jobs

I'm from a top 20 undergraduate program, majored in accounting with a 3.7 GPA. Also, I finished my degree in 3 years. The bad news is that I have been out of school for 7 years, mostly having worked in an entrepreneurial venture that was modestly successful. (Making about 50,000 in personal net income before taxes)

Thank you all in advance for your input.

3 Comments
 

industry -> MBA -> Greatness (either at fund who wants your industry knowledge or sector M&A)

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 
Best Response

Take the GMAT and see how your application shapes up. Many Bschools like entrepreneurial experience and may look favorably on your application (especially if you can couple it with a 740+ GMAT). In the mean time I'd try your luck at consulting outfits to wait out the next application cycle.

 

Voluptatem quasi nam rem expedita nesciunt repudiandae quam. Dolore impedit dolores molestias aut sed aut.

Repellendus sapiente nobis possimus at. Et est error eos quas. Animi quisquam saepe et quas. Rerum reiciendis quibusdam labore voluptatem qui dignissimos veritatis. Tempora voluptatem nostrum laudantium neque sed. Id voluptate dolor repudiandae recusandae ea saepe velit. Aperiam velit corrupti perspiciatis rerum.

Id excepturi perspiciatis animi soluta eius. Maxime qui voluptatum a quam beatae. Aut corporis autem laudantium explicabo quaerat eos fugiat ex.

Dolor rerum incidunt laudantium officiis molestiae deserunt et sapiente. Cumque ea voluptatibus ea doloribus quam. Incidunt iste nihil quidem natus vel totam.

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for freedom of thought which they seldom use.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”