Time for Kids to Rethink "Incoming" on LinkedIn?

It seems like putting "Incoming" on LinkedIn is a normal occurrence now, where even kids outside of finance/investment banking are putting incoming on their LinkedIn title. But as a recession is imminent, seriously affected companies like airlines/lodging are rescinding offers and it is evident across this site that kids are worried their banking offers might be rescinded as well. So why put "Incoming" on your LinkedIn title? I thought it already looked idiotic to just show off to others that you got an offer without providing any material benefit, but now there is a real risk that offers could be rescinded. Then you look even more like an idiot after you notified everyone on LinkedIn that you got an offer but don't even end up working there.

 

Well first of all there is not really a risk of offers being rescinded for MOST people. So the person who puts "Incoming Investment Banking Analyst at Goldman Sachs" fill in GS with JPM, or any other BB doesnt have to worry unless GS disappears or JPM ceases to exist. So I think they'll be fine... Of course its super douchey and I wouldnt recommend it even if this wasnt happening. These kids are just excited because they signed a contract to begin working at GS or JPM and are trying to flex it- the firms are on the other side of this contract btw and will do whatever is in their power to make sure they uphold the contract bc otherwise they risk ruining the reputation of their bank, the relationship with the school, and their future pipeline of talent into the firm. Now if its "incoming into Jefferies" or something like that the kid might have some trouble as the smaller banks arent as well protected during the downturns in the economy

 

Feel like Jefferies is much more likely to keep IB compared to UBS, DB, etc.

 

I guess so, I dont even really consider those BBs though, are they still considered such lol? All I know is that Jefferies would get on deals that JPM/GS wouldnt touch with a ten foot pole in terms of the insane levels of leverage that was getting structured. That will not end well for Jefferies or to the investors that they sold that crap to.

 

Understand what you’re saying, but this a bad example because most will pick Jefferies over UBS/DB at this point.

 

Hopefully there won't be any offer cuts from banks but also hate the "Incoming" all over LinkedIn...

 

Might be thinking too optimistically but it seems like the risk this happens for incoming FT analyst is pretty small. Nonetheless, kids shouldn’t stop doing this on LinkedIn

 

It's not something I would ever do personally, but I can see why it happens. It was probably always the case, but the visibly of the industry, push to hire non traditional candidates and reducing numbers across the board seems to lead to increasing competition for spots year on year. During recruiting last year basically anyone with 3.5+ from any faculty applied for an IB spot. Getting an offer is an amazing achievement and I can't fault anyone for celebrating/seeking validation for something they have put hours and hours into.

 

Is there a big difference between a 3.8 and a 3.9 from a target going into recruiting?

 

I've always found it amusing how big of an issue this is for many people. Like why do you care so much? Some students just don't want to have student as their bio and then the other students get intimidated by those who have a summer internship? I'm not sure. I guess some people aren't comfortable in the shoes they're wearing is my conclusion as they continue to get "flexed on."

 

I thought it was gay and pointless but I just added mine because I don’t want my offer rescinded or anything and this makes it a bigger deterrent now that my incoming is public. my reasoning going into a PE shop out of UG (though people I was on the phone with said deal flow was pretty much the same, the group getting ~15 new deals a week) and can’t see too many things materially changing.

 

not sure who's giving the MS, but senior execs on PE teams are going to make general guidelines on how many to cut but aren't going to be the ONLY ones saying who to cut or not cut... my class is small so if someone gets cut, it's going to reduce the likelihood of it being me by .0005% because the people on LinkedIn on my team will see it and remember me, our convos, etc. opposed to some rando that has a worse connection to them. Don't see how that's not common sense, I'm obviously not saying it's a big factor but it has the potential to be an impact in strengthening relationships (seeing my name come up, etc). I'm rolling my eyes at the MS because it makes absolute sense and is clearly the best decision, I mean why wouldn't I update my headline ... I apply the same thoughts to my networking so it won't be the LinkedIn update that would help me keep my job it will probably be the networking and effort I put there, but if making these decisions are low effort it makes sense to do them. And no, don't assume that they won't see the "Incoming", they are humans. Don't think you're a nobody, yes you're not exactly unique value add as an analyst but that doesn't mean people won't like or enjoy your personality, etc. over others. This is stuff you should already know though assuming you are working in IB.

 

agree of course, but the main point was about cutting people junior staff are familiar with / like more, not really reputation among random people. like, if you have all the junior people+ added on linkedin, especially the ones networked with and built connections with, if they are choosing to cut people they will pick the one least familiar / with least connections. right? definitely could have made the point better (ofc it requires having networked, etc.) It's more about "refreshing" the name to people I haven't spoken with since recruiting / not reaching out to now to touch base / even being more visible to people I'm speaking with now (basing this off people who liked my incoming post). Anyway, this is getting too in the weeds because I think it's pretty simple because it's another mode of connecting with people and being in their mind other than email / phone. Plus it being a 2 second action and having SOME value, may as well take it. If there's cutting and it's not me it's because I'm networking, having good talks, etc. and not because I updated my LinkedIn but .0005% is still > 0...

 

Current incoming SA. I have the incoming SA thing listed as a position on my LinkedIn but not as my headline. My headline is just student at X university. I use this to connect and network with full time folks that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to. Also never made a post or anything about it. Is this more acceptable? Almost ALL of my peers post the “incoming” thing.

At this point I’m just hoping my offer still stands lol.

 

Who gives us a fuck? I always thought it was benign to devote so much of your brainpower to LinkedIn and its shenanigans. Literally for corporate clout.

 

As a collective I think it makes some difference for the exact reasons you mention of looking like an idiot letting people know you got the offer, to the firms don't want people knowing they broke their word to so many people. Those will be the most embarrassed / scorned people and in the relationships business it's just not worth burning people who are competent to get future offers elsewhere / be successful if it can be avoided. Some friends/analysts at MS that help with recruiting were talking about how MS doesn't want to ruin their rep and worst case will do WFH/online internships and do their best to honor their word- reputation among students is a part of the reason. Individually though, I can't think of any reasons why it's important unless you want to network with alumni of groups or something? Especially now because people don't have as much to do now that uni is online. Thoughts about that?

 

Newsflash interns. These are big bulge bracket banks that don't care about anything other than the bottom-line.

I have seen them fire the head compliance guy who had been at the firm 30+ years and then send an email to the department thanking him for his time. Then I watched countless people go into his office saying "congrats on retiremen" and him yelling at them that he got fired.

I have seen multiple analysts in ER get walked out on the same day with some of them having been at the firm since they were interns. Seen associates get fired on there way to the bathroom.

If they don't care about people that produce revenue, why would they give a shit about someone who will have no impact to the bottom-line of the firm.

Is this cyncial? Yes, this is Wall Street. Don't count your cards until the hand has been dealt. You never know what might happen to the dealer.

 

I appreciate the candor. For many of us, this is uncharted waters. 2008 is an event we just read about in textbooks (Exogenous factors but potentially the same devastating impact). What can an incoming SA do if internships do get canceled or moved online? I was considering doing the GMAT, working on technicals, and getting the best finance related internship possible?

 

I mean an online internship is better than no internship and is still something that you can put on your resume. Do your best in that opportunity. It may not be ideal, but it is experience.

I would definitely try to get finance-related experience that you can put on your resume over the GMAT, technicals, etc. Any internship/work experience is better than those things that can be done on your free time at any time anyway.

Things aren't that bad yet. IB deals may dry up for the time being, but trading is doing decentfor now with the volatility. Other parts of the bank in fixed income etc. are doing alright for now. Others may be getting hammered but shit hasn't hit the fan yet. Just keep hustling and try to land something. If this lasts 3 months then all cards are off the table.

 

Thank you for the insight. I’ll do all the above plus the GMAT for a data point on my resume. I had to grind ridiculously hard to get an internship at a US BB as a Canadian non-target. But because Bat-soup is popular in Wuhan, it’s all at risk. Oh well, c’est la vie. Great username by the way, gave me a chuckle.

 

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