August 2020 Graduate still without job. Advice?

Hey all,

As the title says I’m an August 2020 graduate that has yet to earn a job offer. I’ve been able to interview with some great teams and opportunities across Institutional Investment Sales to REPE but I’ve been consistently beat out in the final rounds of the process. It seems the issue (at least what I’ve been told) has been that people with a few years experience are going for the same roles which is resulting in me lacking in experience. I’m worried that the lack of work on my resume for nearly 6 months now is reflecting negatively and I’d love to hear some advice for how to tackle the job market in 2021. Thanks in advance! Happy to answer any questions as well.

 

Personally, I would try and find a job in the meantime so that you have some income coming in (unless your family is well off/supports you well financially). After that, focus on looking at broader job titles I know you mentioned investment sales and REPE, but have you looked at other roles like property management or doing commercial mortgages at a bank? Anything that will help you learn some stuff and meet some people in the industry would help. My first internship was in property management while I was in undergrad and it taught me a ton that I was able to speak to in future interviews. Be flexible, network, and don’t be too picky on your first role is my overall advice.

 
Most Helpful

I would actually look for and attempt to engineer a "post-graduation internship", essentially a temp worker for a legit company (i.e. shit pay no benefits or bonuses). You will need to network and ask directly with hiring managers for this sort of thing. Not likely posted or even thought of, and traditional HR channels aren't likely to help. 

Ideally, if you get a position like this, it is with a firm that can hire you eventually, contingent on their need/budget and you proving yourself while there. I've seen this work out a bunch of times and after "Events" like 2020 (and 2008 where I first saw this), it is even more valuable a strategy. 

If they don't hire you, the time can legit count as experience, so win-win long term no matter what. 

 

Fugit in dicta rerum provident quis. Qui qui a quia porro non dolore. Sit deserunt illum enim sequi.

At iste aut autem magnam voluptas fuga molestiae. Maiores velit est officiis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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

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...”