In a dark place after failing in FT recruitment, need advice.

Hey guys,

The fund that I summer interned at is closing shop so I started the FT recruitment process a few months back for IB. From what I heard from mentors, the best way to get back into HFs is with IB experience; problem is that this FT cycle was absolutely brutal. My internship at a distressed HF did distressed buyouts so I had some experience with modeling and also being able to talk about deals and high level corp finance stuff. I got RX interviews at some EBs and also interviews with a really good TMT bank/group (Q/Allen & Co/GS). Also got some growth equity interviews similar to a (Insight/GA/Summit). 

Currently sitting at no offers and FT recruitment is practically done. Now that CS bros are also looking to get out it seems there aren't any seats left; feeling real anxiety and not sure what to do.

For background I'm graduating this fall with a 3.8 GPA from NYU/UVA/USC type school, started my own fund in college (just 1m AUM) and ended up making and saving up ~850k all in (including from PA luck) which I have sitting in cash. Not too worried about paying the bills right now but very worried about my career. My fund manager spun off our HF's venture platform and I am currently working for that to avoid employment gaps; but it doesn't look like he's gonna be hiring anyone else other than a few of the original associates.

Could really use some advice; I'm feeling pretty lost. WSObros gave me some good guidance in the past; I think I just need some clarity and motivation. I want to make it to IB and in finance. I'm too hungry to give up now. I strongly believe in myself and my willingness to succeed.

44 Comments

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”