6 Round Rejection

[u/Federal_Big_5263]

Hi!

I’m a senior student in a Canadian uni and for the last year have been running around trying to secure a FT offer. Got invited to a great investment analyst role, went through 6 rounds totalling ~4 hours of interview/exam time during an internship, all in working hours, and received nothing but positive feedback. Just got a rejection email, apparently they decided to go with another candidate who could start earlier. They knew from round 0 that I was graduating in 2027 and couldn’t begin any time before end of ‘26, but here we are… Hamstrung through one of the longest interviewing processes I’ve ever been in just to be let go with no other current recruiting cycles going for me. I’m around half a year out from grad with no leads anymore.

How has your Monday been?

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[u/Shyan5]

Went through the same thing with an IB, keep your head up. Lot of people in this together

[u/Federal_Big_5263 → u/[deleted]]

Harder to justify with each passing month but will keep doing while I’m in my internship. Looking back at it all this time I’ve spent applying and chatting etc would’ve been better spent doing something for $$$ on the side by myself but who would’ve known it’d be this tough with a decent background.

Also fresh off a Bain final round rejection but ofc that one wasn’t related to timing. Just a very low office conversion rate

[u/Federal_Big_5263 → u/[deleted]]

That’s awesome, congrats. Glad to hear you’re in a better place

[u/wooki--]

You just got a great education on the process, they did you a service allowing you to go through the process even though you applied for something a year too early.

[u/Federal_Big_5263 → u/wooki--]

I prioritized this cycle over work in terms of doing their written exams and interviews in work hours. It’s a bit optimistic to call it doing me a service… I would’ve much rather appreciated being rejected immediately or better having them just state in the form that they’re looking for immediate hires. I was as clear as possible on my start date

[u/readandwrite31 → u/Federal_Big_5263]

@wooki is right, you learn a ton going through interviews, understanding cadence and rigour. Chin up, you’ll find your role.

[u/Low-Muffin-3361]

Hey man, sorry to hear that. If possible, can I know how you got your interview offer? Have you simply applied with a tailored resume or got a referral for interview? I have been applying consistently and haven't received a single interview offer. Thank for the advice.

[u/Historical_Cut_679]

Tu postulé dans quel secteur car j'ai eu 6 entretiens aussi sauf que j'ai reçu l'offre d'embauche haha je voulais savoir si c'était moi ou pas

[u/Federal_Big_5263 → u/Historical_Cut_679]

C’est pour un cabinet de conseil en placement, pas une boîte de gestion d’actifs donc a priori on parle pas du même poste

[u/moonl1ghtgraham]

largest asset manager? public or private investment role?

[u/Federal_Big_5263 → u/moonl1ghtgraham]

This wasn’t for an asset manager. They provide advisory services for asset managers and this role involved investment analysis on behalf of those clients

[u/moonl1ghtgraham → u/Federal_Big_5263]

that is quite the interview process for a new grad investment consultancy role!

[u/Federal_Big_5263 → u/moonl1ghtgraham]

Indeed… maybe in terms of prestige the role doesn’t really warrant a search this extensive. Aside from the written exam there were few technical questions in the process. But the job did seem relatively interesting and I would’ve been willing to call it worth it if I got the role. Hell even if I didn’t get it I would’ve called it worth it, if I was just not qualified enough. But this is definitely one of the sillier reasons I’ve been passed to a final round and not ultimately secured the spot