Ghosting after LONG interview process?

Experienced SM HF analyst here. I get the ghosting after early rounds of an interview process. It's rude, but that's the new normal.

Over the past few years, I've participated in a few VERY long SM/FO/LO interview processes. 6+ months each, meet whole team, case studies, at least 3 meetings with the top boss. A couple situations where they "are always looking" but don't actually hire anyone. Another where I was the alternate in the end.

I figure I would keep in touch because a flip of the coin differently, I would be working there. Or things change in the future.

I send emails to say hello, chat names, ask a favor, suggest an idea, etc. 

Ghosted. No response. Okay, fine, they are not interested. I don't follow up to that email. But months later I'll start a new email chain later on a new topic to see if they bite. Nothing. 

What's wrong with these people? What's wrong with this industry? Or what's wrong with me?

 

Tenetur hic ducimus rerum quia dicta necessitatibus. Ut asperiores repellat quasi illum commodi veniam dolorem.

Possimus expedita temporibus voluptas occaecati ratione. Omnis vero asperiores quo quos et minus ut. Sint sapiente rerum voluptatem officiis est saepe.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 18 98.3%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 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

May 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

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (20) $385
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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

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...”