Struck out on IB SA 2022 Positions - Need Advice

Hi all - I’m a finance and economics double major at Rutgers with a 3.75 GPA. As of today I have officially struck out on all 4 of my superday interviews for known firms. As of right now I only have two searchfund internships under my belt.

1) What do I do now? I heard about cold emailing boutiques in NYC for a summer internship but wanted to ask how do I best do this for the best results possible?

2) What are my other options for this summer?

3) Should I be looking for an IB internship for this spring (once I secure summer internship) so that it can help for full time recruiting?

Thank you and I look forward to all your responses.

 
Most Helpful

Something that I've seen done is taking a gap year or gap semester, and re-recruiting as a summer analyst next year. If you have the financial means to do so, I've seen it happen many times and it gives people a chance to go through recruiting again, but this time much more experienced. You should definitely find something to do during your time off though.

 

Do you still think this is advisable despite the hot lateral market? Wouldn't it be easier to start your career not in IB but in a job that is similar and then make the switch? It seems like internships are more competitive right now than FT jobs

 

The hot lateral market you're speaking of is for experienced hires from investment banks to other investment banks. I agree that it's becoming way easier to lateral as an analyst from like a MM to a BB or something, but absolutely not if you start in something similar like asset management or S&T. Internships for sure are not more competitive than FT jobs. I know many amazing candidates who struck out on FT, because it's gotten much harder in recent years. This is because most banks are choosing to give return offers to 90%+ of their SA classes nowadays, ever since COVID hit, and thus there are just so much less FT spots.

 

Currently a freshman at Rutgers. Does anyone have any advice on what I should be involved in on campus to land 4 superdays similar to OP? Also how is recruiting at school

 

For upperclassmen how did you reach out? Just by messaging through LinkedIn mails? I know for people who graduated they have work formats but not for seniors with ib

 

To comment on recruiting, class of '23 did great. 2 buyside, 23 IB, 50 FO (buyside/IB/S&T/ER/AM), and another ~15 in miscellaneous (consulting/RE/quant/etc).

RTWS accounted for 74% of IB placements and 72% of FO placements. Good luck recruiting for cohort 12.

 

I didn't even start interviewing with banks until like August and still managed to get looks. Struck out at a couple superdays for BB/EBs as well.

I did resume drops on my university recruiting page and am still getting emailed about them (already accepted an offer). Plenty of banks are still doing official/unofficial recruiting you just have to look. Also reaching out to connections at banks, especially smaller ones, will get you interviews. Cold email alumni at boutiques as well. If you've already had four superdays I feel like you're competent enough to land an SA position, just a matter of getting lucky enough. Be persistent and don't give up - plenty of opportunities out there.

 

I’d recommend to keep recruiting. Getting a SA position anywhere is better than nothing. You can still do full time recruiting. Most firms are done with IB recruiting but maybe look at other front office divisions still recruiting.

 
Funniest

I believe Northwestern Mutual might still be recruiting for summer interns. Cold email and network and it should be okay. Don't worry, being a financial representative is still a great career path. 

 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 

"Intern in PE - LBOs

2) What are my other options for this summer?"

Does my comment not answer something that you asked for? If I had to take a guess, I would imagine they are still hosting superdays and this could be a viable option. A financial representative offers a great work life balance and allows you to develop a wide arrange of skills. Not to mention, you still will have great exit opportunities. As you attempt to build your own book, you will meet people who come from many walks of life. This can be a very rewarding experience. I suggest you start networking as soon as possile, and brush up on any techicals. I'm sure there is plenty of alumni from your school that you can reach out to. 

 

Boutique banks (not necessarily just regional) and some MM banks. I know Cowen and BNP have processes that haven't completely finished - both would likely require some networking ASAP to get in on.

 

Wtf is this “struck out” attitude? Are you still alive? Did some banking god tell you that you aren’t allowed to send any more cold emails? Did the mafia break your arms and legs out? Idgaf if you’re a fucking wobbling stump, you don’t strike out unless you’re fucking 6 feet under. You had four super days, go cry me a river. I’m a senior recruiting for full time and had 4 super days—and not one converted to an offer. Do you know what I’m going to do? I’m gonna go pump one then send some more fucking emails. You only have one life, why tf are u limiting yourself. You’re gonna keep sending emails until your immediate response to anything is “hi, my name is x and I go to Rutgers University.” Then you’re gonna keep writing more fucking emails until every bank in this damn country knows your name.

Dude, In all seriousness… you’ve only had 4 super days. Don’t tell me there aren’t any more banks hiring. I see so many new summer analyst positions being posted. Think about it like this, what if your next super day could result in getting an offer? You wouldn’t know cause you quit too early. Broaden up your geography. If you’re not a senior yet, you should be open to working anywhere. With some experience under your belt, you can always try transferring later on. You’re gonna have to cast a wider net. Try corporate dev. Roles too. Anything that you can use to pivot to banking. There are so many banks out there my guy, keep sending emails. Don’t bother too much applying online (I mean still do). But the easier way to get in is by directly speaking with the people in the bank. You’ll have much better luck this way. Don’t stop now, you’re so fucking close.

 

Voluptas recusandae similique esse iste voluptas quis laudantium. Blanditiis dolores et unde minima. Repellat sunt distinctio nihil consequatur eaque voluptatum. Voluptas qui quidem id dolor tenetur. Placeat et illum ut quisquam voluptatem rerum adipisci. Beatae vel officiis nihil voluptatem voluptatibus saepe laborum. Non pariatur at nesciunt possimus est temporibus cumque.

Dolorum accusamus ipsa et odio iste et ut. Illo numquam ut id sed soluta. Quas placeat ea quia ex id.

Et debitis eum autem quia aut. Temporibus mollitia est ut dolores iste nihil praesentium. Quo aut praesentium cumque sit officia sapiente voluptatem voluptate.

Recusandae recusandae beatae aut eaque qui ea quis et. Sit doloremque illo laboriosam voluptas qui. Porro nobis est animi perspiciatis quis. Odit vitae at laboriosam temporibus. Laudantium repudiandae est vero perferendis molestiae repellendus.

 

Iure dolorum doloribus dicta quo aperiam molestiae. Cupiditate quia dolorem qui dicta culpa.

Nisi magnam quibusdam iste quia cumque. Possimus aliquid impedit assumenda perspiciatis dolorem aut. Magni molestias hic veniam at architecto. Quis soluta ut omnis cum voluptatem voluptate illo. Sunt ut harum voluptas alias. Iure sint non sit accusamus.

Et ut qui quis qui et distinctio. Dolor eligendi laudantium libero aut. Alias aut dignissimos quia cumque et tempora repellat. Eius vitae repellendus sit dolor qui natus. Omnis veniam quia nulla ut nihil aliquid.

Ullam ipsa sed numquam nostrum est eum impedit. Blanditiis rerum praesentium nihil.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 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

March 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

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”