Didn't Receive Return Offer from Top MM/LMM PE firm (Headcount) and No Luck in Full time Recruiting

Hi,

I am a senior at a top private school (I would say target?), and I, unfortunately, did not get a return offer from the PE firm that I was working at for the past summer, despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback due to headcount issues. I've literally had no luck in recruiting at other shops and banks, and now it's Feb, and I am having a bit of an existential crisis. Is it me, or is the full-time recruiting landscape EXTREMELY dry for high finance roles? Would love to hear if anyone is in the same boat. 

For the more experienced ones on WSO, what should I do from here? Just looking for more direction. Are there other ways to break into banking/PE if I don't get a gig. It's just heart-wrenching because I worked my ass off because I loved it, and I don't want to be in a situation where I am kept out of this career track. Please DM if you want additional details or wanna chat!

Cheers

10 Comments
 
Most Helpful

You should simultaneously ask them for help and call their bluff. If they actually like you, then they should be open to referring you to other firms or even a finance role at one of their PortCos. My firm did this for an intern when we didn’t have room and everyone opened up their network when we found out that we couldn’t hire her.

I’m guessing that you want to do PE and not IB or finance for a PortCo. Tell them that and say “I get that you can’t hire me NOW but if a spot opens up in the next 1-2 years, where should I work to get experience in the meantime?”

 

Either delay graduation or open up your search in terms of location and role. Maybe tough to get into IB/PE now, but if you land an adjacent role you can get into those types of roles later on. Better to have an IB adjacent role and break in later than have no role. Good luck, rooting for you!

 

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