Possible No-Offer... Next Step?

Hey guys,

Unique situation here. Brief background, been doing my stint as summer analyst at BB in HK. Get along great with my team, executed and closed two deals already (received tombstone actually), extremely involved, genuinely finds the job exciting.

I received raving reviews for my mid-reviews and it's been implied that I will receive great reviews for final from the group I'm working with.

Only catch-- The only negative on my reviews has been that my written/reading Chinese is rather weak (speaking is completely fluent). Staffer mentioned this is a rather large handicap and pretty much a big problem. Everyone else in the office are Chinese expats-- i grew up in the states.

I'm also only a sophomore. If they offer will definitely accept the offer and finish in three years.

Question is... if they don't offer... I plan on applying to IBD SA programs in new york. How will it look though if I don't receive an offer from this stint? Guidance?

Appreciate it, thanks

 

Dude, you're a soph, if you don't get offered just take school in the regular 3.5 - 4 year time and recruit again for this coming summer. Virtually nobody gets offered from a soph internship, other than to return for another summer.

 
Best Response

I think its bit of a different situation because of the language issue.. ie. if you dont get an offer and apply for US positions, you have a very good reason for why you didn't get a FT offer.

If you don't get an offer, I would definitely work on establishing a strong relationship and making a very good impression with some senior people. Try to get them to mentor you, and if they pass on a FT offer for you, get feedback... from what you have said, it seems like the only issue is the language barrier, so perhaps they can refer you to some English speaking positions in UK or US within the firm, along with a recommendation as to your quality of work.

Its also a good hang on to your your reviews. If you cant get referrals, use your current access to the firm's database to compile a list of US contacts. If you dont get an offer and dont get recommendations for English speaking positions, I would e-mail them a brief summary of what you're looking for. Say you wanted the international experience and got alot out of the experience. Don't portray that you really wanted a FT offer. If they explicitly ask if you turned down/didn't get a FT offer, tell them the international experience was great and you received glowing reviews, but the language issue was a deterrent for you as well as the HK group.

 

Why don't you just aim to get invited back next summer and continue to build that relationship? Assuming you would like to stay and work in the HK office, spend the next 2 years learning to read and write Mandarin/Cantonese (most likely Mandarin) better than your current level?

It seems reasonable to me. I spent a summer in China and picked up a little bit without even trying. The American friends I had there who where studying the language said you could definitely learn at least an elementary level understanding in 2 years of studying. If you think about it, you could take some private lessons and it should be significantly easier for you than them, considering they were learning to speak also. You should have an easier time associating the "symbols" with the spoken words since you already know how to speak fluently.

Additionally, another friend of mine who knew how to speak Cantonese picked up Mandarin rather easily because of the basic structural similarities...or so he said.

At any rate, just stay in school for the normal amount of time and see what comes your way. To me, it seems like there would be no reason why you could secure an offer now, with everything the way it is and not be able to get one a year from now. Just sit tight and see where everything takes you.

Good Luck.

Regards

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
 

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