For those of you who don’t get returns…
I know this site is filled with interns and everyone and their dog is stressing about return offers so here is my take.
- You will be fine. If you were smart enough to land a top bank internship you probably are smart enough and have a good enough resume to be able to land on your feet
- Careers are long. Your whole life won’t be defined by what happens in a 9 week internship
- Remember that banking isn’t for everyone, in fact, it isn’t for most people so think about whether this is the best option for you. Not saying it isn’t, but most of you are probably smart enough to do a lot of other things as well
- If you are worried about your return, network for FT to hedge your bets if you want to stay in banking and do so ASAP because you could even secure a FT offer before knowing if you have a return or not. Some people even end up at a “better” firm after not receiving a return just do to being proactive and prepared
- Would not recommend lying about your return offer necessarily but you are all in a position where you can put a lot of blame (maybe rightly so) on the markets if asked why you didn’t get one
- Recruiting will be mostly in July - August but know people who got a FT IB job in May of the following year (right around graduation)
- Take a day or two to allow yourself to feel upset. Then reflect and make a plan of action.
- Reach out to every single person in your network. At ever bank. In ever city.
- In addition to the market, have your “Why no return?” Answer cold
- Last and most importantly, take a breath. Money isn’t everything. Don’t define your self worth by your LinkedIn title
