Lawyer-to-banker interview situation: where do I stand?

I'm new here, so thanks in advance for having me around. I'm a recently laid-off BigLaw lawyer (a junior associate), with a undergraduate degree from an Ivy League school and a JD from a top 5 law school. Currently, I'm trying to transition into an investment banking career.

Through an alumni contact of mine, a very senior MD at a bulge bracket bank confirmed that he would make sure I get a formal interview, and passed my resume to a VP in charge of dealing with associate hires. The VP spoke to me on the phone very briefly (five to ten minutes or so), simply to inquire about what groups I was interested in and at which offices I'd like to work. He said the next step would be to bring me in to meet people, and he'd get back in touch with me when he found something. After a month, I hadn't heard anything. So, two weeks ago, I sent a brief, friendly e-mail to see how things were going. He did not respond.

Am I screwed, or is this lapse of time normal? Now, I'm worried that I inadvertently screwed up the short phone conversation--I had been prepped for a full-on technical phone interview, but it turned out to be much more cursory and casual than that. Recommendations on what I should do? General advice?

Thanks, everyone!

5 Comments
 

Im just a first year analyst, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I doubt you messed up the phone call - it was only 10 minutes and informal it sounds like. I think if you want to make the move to become an investment banking associate, you need to me much more aggressive and network with as many people in the business as possible. Don't rely just on this one contact. You should reach out to them / even call them since you still haven't heard back. With your background, there have to be lots of alumni on wall street that you can reach out to. Talk to / meet as many of them as possible

 

Thanks, masterg. I have other contacts, but this one was particularly promising and I really like the bank. I've actually met with more than a half-dozen other bankers there who I can refer to--the VP has their names and positions, already. Unfortunately, I don't have the VP's phone number.

However, you are right: I need to do more follow-up phone calls. I just get too psyched out when people don't return e-mails.

 
jd-to-ib

However, you are right: I need to do more follow-up phone calls. I just get too psyched out when people don't return e-mails.

I'm not familiar with law recruiting, but you need to get used to being treated poorly (I guess that's the same with law). Be persistent, really show them that you want it. Send him another email, ask if there would be an associate available to speak to get a better perspective on the job duties.

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

you spent all that dough and time on a JD only to move to IB? biglaw makes good money as well

========================================= We are excited to formally extend to you an offer to join Bank of Ameria
 
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