A few months ago I interviewed at a small boutique IB for an analyst position. Interview process was easy, phone interview followed by in-person interview (some technicals and a modeling exercise). Got a call a few days later saying I got it and asked when I can start. Called a few times that night to discuss starting date details and was going to give my two weeks notice the next day, but got no answer/returned messages. Pretty much gave up when I hadn't heard from anyone in 2 weeks after attempting to follow up several times.
Has anything this strange happened to anyone else before?
If you really want this you shouldn't give up. Keep calling (maybe call a specific interviewer you connected well with) and if you still don't hear back this may have to end up being one of those cases you just show up in-person.
Maybe go by the office?
I had a similar situation happen.
Once got an offer from a boutique firm. Went in for several interviews and met with pretty much everyone in the office. They all liked me a lot. Talked salary, start dates, etc. A few days after I received the offer I got a call saying "We are taking the firm in a different direction and will no longer be needing your services".
worst feeling in the world
This isn't meant to depress you, but an offer isn't an offer until you've received it in writing and nothing is truly set in stone until you've signed an employment agreement. I went through a similar situation a few years ago where I went through all of the interview hoops and discussed hiring terms with the two MDs exactly like you. I never heard back from them even after repeated phone calls and emails.
The problem with small boutiques is that most of their hiring decisions, outside of attrition, are dictated entirely by client/deal volume. Deal volume is going to move the needle much more at a boutique than an MM or BB where they have other profit generating units. With my experience, I think they were looking to pick up someone because they were completely understaffed with the number of deals they had on the table at the time. As I went through the interview stages, I think their deal volume dropped precipitously and they no longer needed the additional headcount.
It sucks and I can't believe that some people have the nerve to string candidates along without the courtesy of an email or phone call.
If you really want to know what is going on then I suggest you drop by the office as tropos said. They can't ignore you there.
This is my biggest pet peeve. I have gone through several interview processes that felt like they went great but I never heard back from the firms.
In their defense, I am sure it sucks to call someone to say they have been cut. But I still feel that at the bare minimum, they could send out a quick email just to give a heads up.
I feel like firms are so overwhelmed with candidates that the interview process looses the human element.
Feel for you man. Had this happen to me on headcount reasons. I was gutted.
Definitely stop by the office. I had an internship at a boutique and saw this happen a few times during my short stint there. I agree that it is completely based on what is happening with deal volume. If the firm is scrambling to save a deal from falling through they might forget or purposely ignore you until it is settled. Best case, going to the office will show them that you are a go-getter and they will have renewed interest in bringing you on. Worst case, they say they no longer need you and you're basically in the same place you are now. Good luck buddy, I know the feeling
This happened to me, except I signed an agreement letter.
My FT offer was rescinded just a few weeks before I was supposed to start.
Keep being aggressive. Find out what happened. Don't end up where I am now: applying desperately and networking like a madman.
What kingtut said above. It isn't official until you've received it in writing.
A lot of us have been strung along in a similar way, and the feeling absolutely sucks. You can try and go in their office, but sounds like they've moved in a "different direction".
Suck it up and move on...
Yep, flew across the country and was verbally offered the job. After weeks of follow up and no response I gave up. Had an offer that was not approved by upper management after I already turned down another legit job offer. When I went back to that company they had already filled the spot.
The only type you should give your two weeks notice is when you receive your signing bonus. They are less likely to just take the offer away at this point. Even if they do and at this point if you gave your two weeks notice, you would atleast have $5k-$10k to fall back on.
Radio Silence after accepting offer at BB HK (Originally Posted: 03/24/2010)
Hey Guys, long time reader, first time poster.
I accepted a SA position at a BB IBD in HK back in early February. The contract states that I will be contacted by the third party background check company "shortly after the signed contract is received" and that I will be placed in a serviced apartment for the summer. I will also receive instructions on guidelines to get reimbursement for the plane ticket to-an-from HK.
I haven't heard anything ever since they sent me a email confirming that they received the contract and documents I mailed back. Didnt hear from the background check company or anything wrt plane ticket or housing. I tried emailing the HR point of contact but no replies either.
Is this radio silence after accepting contract normal?
Additional question for those of you who SAed in Hong Kong before, when did you get your plane/housing arrangements?
Didn't SA in BB in HK. But previously worked at BB in NYC and I think the background check took a long time (ie. 1 month or so).
but i havn't even gotten the background check forms yet.... nor have I heard anything about accommodation and flight.. is it normal for HR to wait till the very last minute instead of trying to get things out of the way?
Every offer I've seen has said the background check is conducted at most 90 days before the start date. I wouldn't worry about it until May.
send a polite email asking if there's anything else you need to do for them and reiterate how excited you are
maybe you should pick up the phone instead of emailing?
No need to sweat or anything, just sit back and enjoy your time. they will get to you eventually. i think i got a call from the background checking company when i was halfway thru my intern in hk.
Signed contract, no news from HR, getting worried (Originally Posted: 03/08/2017)
I signed a contract for a full time front office job in London. However, I don't have a starting date, only the month, and HR told me they haven't worked it out just yet. However, I am starting to feel a bit worried. How likely is it for a BB to simply cancel my contract? The state of the industry coupled with Brexit makes me feel like they could very easily change their minds. Has someone experienced similar situations? Starting how many months before starting your job, you would feel worried not to have a starting date?
0.25 months - don't freak out
don't freak out - I signed a contract too, no news yet. They are not supposed to tell u this early on, you will be fine, relax.
Chill. I didn't hear anything from HR in between signing my contract and notification of start date about 2 weeks before I started. Completely normal for HR to tell you month but not exact date.
I remember signing my contract nearly a year out and not having a specific start date until 2 months before...you'll be fine
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