Anyone else having a hard time landing an analyst position out of undergrad?

I’m a recent grad who studied finance & real estate in undergrad at a less prominent university in the south east us. In this time I had a couple internships in cre and have completed industry certifications. I love the industry and want to land an analyst position but recently it doesn’t look good.

I’ve had some interviews and it either didn’t work out or the fit wasn’t right. But as of the last month the job boards have seemed very dry. I hope on multiple networking calls a week but most say hiring has paused.

If anyone has advice or insight if truly appreciate it. Also, if anyone would like to hop on a quick call to shed their advice please dm.

4 Comments
 

I came from a similar position except I had 0 CRE internships and was 1 year out of undergrad. I had no experience in CRE but went to as many networking coffees & lunches as I could with local leaders in CRE (directors at CBRE, JLL, etc.). After searching since March I finally landed an analyst role in August & someone I had shared coffee with referred me to the firm that ended up hiring me. Keep after it, I know it gets super frustrating at times and feels like nothing is working. You never know what/who will turn into an opportunity a few months down the line. Add as many people on LinkedIn who work in CRE in your city as possible and invite them all out to coffee. Something will come up! 

 
Most Helpful

Unless it's a large national firm like Related or CBRE, most CRE shops hire on an as-needed basis, or pull from their summer intern class if they have one (most don't have super formal recruiting like IB). So it's not really like PE on-cycle recruiting.

Expect more postings to open up in December - February, as traditionally around bonus time is when firms start trimming the fat and making cuts to non-performers, manage people out, give a shit bonus as an indication to leave, etc. 

Keep interviewing and applying. If it's been a long dry spell, consider getting a supplemental job for the meantime (don't have to put this on resume) for some income. Could even look into semi RE finance gigs like property manager, appraisal, etc. Might be awhile given the super low transaction volume coupled with high rates. If you want to do RE as a career and not just land a job, stick with it. Keep reading, networking, keeping up with the industry. I know it seems tough now, but you'll land something eventually. 

“You got the makings of greatness in you, but you gotta take the helm and chart your own course! Stick to it, no matter the squalls! And when the time comes, you'll get the chance to really test the cut of your sails and show what you're made of! And... well, I hope I'm there, catching some of the light coming off you that day.”
 

Voluptatem minus doloribus vitae consequuntur fugiat in officia. Minus veritatis nihil omnis magnam sunt. Voluptatem ipsam impedit deserunt odio est. Perferendis quo sint excepturi.

Molestias quia et occaecati facere. Excepturi exercitationem dolorum doloremque dolores in vero. Cupiditate sed ut minus est. Voluptas et voluptas totam alias magni. Aut enim aut amet soluta illum. Et accusamus aut ratione natus officia ut sint.

Qui ut omnis velit soluta. Quos consectetur sit corporis ut sapiente voluptas. Dolorum officia autem sint eum nemo ipsa adipisci. Id veritatis dolorum architecto et laborum expedita non et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan No 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”