Rejected after investment banking internship

Question

I didn’t get a return offer after my summer internship at a top tier bank. It wasn’t a disaster, but I wasn’t one of the top performers either. I still really want to work in IB and I’m applying to full-time roles now. Has anyone managed to land a full-time offer after being rejected? How can I explain my situation??

Answer 1

Yes, it's absolutely possible to land a full-time IB offer after not getting a return. I’ve worked with several candidates in the same situation who successfully made the switch.

The most important thing is to approach the topic with confidence and honesty. In interviews, you can briefly acknowledge that you didn’t receive a return offer, focus on what you learned from the experience, and explain how you’ve grown since then. Emphasize that the internship confirmed your interest in banking and that you're now even more motivated and better prepared.

It’s all about showing resilience and a strong forward-looking mindset. If you’d like to chat through your story or practice how to frame it, feel free to reach out!

All the best,

Rita

Answer 2

Having worked in both consulting and finance, I’d say the main difference is the focus. In consulting, it’s about big... (read entire answer)

Having worked in both consulting and finance, I’d say the main difference is the focus. In consulting, it’s about big-picture problem-solving, like helping a client expand into... (read entire answer)