Hopeless Senior at Target Still Looking for Jobs

Hi WSO,

Just want to get some advice on landing any jobs (at this point, I'm not picky at all). Asian, Male, International, studying Engineering (CS, Data, Econ), 3.6/4, Target. Interested in strategy and product. I was thinking of getting into PM at Big Tech or Consulting at MBB, does not work. Ended up doing a PM Intern with a startup for my junior summer. Graduating in a month, don't know what to do. 

I want to take advantage of the target school name to break into something, at least something. Very hopeless. Even in my junior year trying to recruit for Consulting SA, there are not many firms even sponsoring visas... MBBs seem only wants Asian females rather than males. Tried applying 100+ FT on Handshake, but did not receive anything. Also applied to consulting boutiques in Senior Fall, and almost got into all interviews and several final rounds, but no offers. Huge layoffs in Tech this year, prob only less than 100 APM positions are available each year, and did not get it too.

Just don't know what to do, is there still any chance of getting into finance without a SA? Blackstone, Blackrock, or any potential positions in any banks? Not looking for the most competitive roles but any? 

Commencement in mid-May. Won't leave my room for the rest of senior year, Any advice would help! 

10 Comments
 

Applying to 100+ jobs on Handshake with no success is standard. Its just sending your resume into the abyss.

You mention applying a lot, but not networking. You need to network hard. Fill your day with intro calls.

You could always go to a 1yr MSF and extend recruiting by a year while getting internship experience during the program (if all else fails).

 

Thanks for your comment. I did try to network hard, but generally I feel like network does not help that much in consulting. Correct me if I’m wrong. APM roles are just so little, and couldn’t even make it to the last round. Think if they want to take 10 APMs, 5 of which are males. And you also have to diversify into different backgrounds. Like one company will only take 1-2 Asian male APM… 

Just don’t know what else I can do other than start leetcoding hard to be SWE… 

 

At my target MBB takes plenty of Asian males , but I (qt least at my target) usually the GPAs are higher (3.8-3.9)

 

Hey man, sounds like you need to prepare more for the interviews you get. You mentioned that you made some final rounds which means your resume isn’t a problem. But being at a target doesn’t mean a guaranteed job especially in highly competitive fields. It’s great that you’re at a great school! Congratulations! But you still need to put the work in. Good luck!

 
Most Helpful

Agree, this post reeks of over-confidence, complacency, and mediocrity frankly.

Getting a name brand job at this point isn't likely, no matter your profile anyways. I recall Capital Group's CAP program might still be recruiting this late, but that's a very competitive program. 

For a "finance job," you're likely best served trying to find some boutique/regional firm. Sponsoring could be an issue though so I honestly have no clue. Buying more time wrt visa with a MSF might help too in theory, but those programs have also finished recruiting for the top ones (Vandy, Princeton, etc.) so options are limited there.

 

I had this happen to me after not getting a return. Your best bet is to reach out to friends who already have offers while they are around and ask if their company is still hiring. It’s a lot easier to get a HR point of contact and maybe an intro to a team and skip the black hole of applying online.

 

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