Commercial banking graduate programme: rejected then called back for an opening. What

Hi everyone, a question about commercial banking rather than IB but I feel this section is still appropriate.

This past december I applied to a graduate programme in commercial banking at a major global bank. I got to the final stage but was eventually rejected.Yesterday - 4 months on - I received a call from HR, which basically said: "We see that you got to the final stage. Your performance was good but due to low intake and extreme competitiveness of the programme you were rejected. However, the need emerged for more graduates at both the headquarters and a regional office. Would you be interested in that?"I answered yes and she said that someone would get in touch with me in two weeks. No further details and I didn't think it appropriate to ask whether I was about to be offered a job. This matter is clearly for further discussion in the next call.

My question is: based on your experience, am I about to be made an offer or will I have to go through another evaluation process?I can guess why I was called back - either more people than expected reneged on their offers or they're expanding - but I cannot imagine what my chances of getting the job are at the moment.

Any thoughts? Thank you in advance!

(edited 8 years ago)

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

gr8wizard10

only sounds like good news tbf

Reply 2

Pucizza

Original post by gr8wizard10

only sounds like good news tbf

I've been knocking on every wooden surface I've walked by over the past 16 hours. I hope you're right and this won't turn out to be one massive tease!

HSBC?

Original post by Bdoskail

HSBC?

Yessir. Did the same happen to you or the name of the programme was a giveaway?

Reply 5

username1731539

Original post by Pucizza

Yessir. Did the same happen to you or the name of the programme was a giveaway?

Twas the terms commercial and global bank :biggrin:

Reply 6

Pucizza

Original post by Bdoskail

Twas the terms commercial and global bank :biggrin:

Hah! Any thoughts on how close I might be to an offer?

Reply 7

username1731539

Original post by Pucizza

Hah! Any thoughts on how close I might be to an offer?

My best guess would be thst they will reinterview a few new candidates who they thought nearly made it.

Reply 8

999tigger

I would go for another interview, just be happy business conditions changed or previous candidates turned them down.

Reply 9

Pucizza

Original post by 999tigger

I would go for another interview, just be happy business conditions changed or previous candidates turned them down.

I'll be happy when my name's on a contract, till then lots of preparation and fondling of wooden surfaces :P

Reply 10

999tigger

Well good luck and pepare.

Thank you!

It will probably just be 1 more interview with the team to see if they like you and are happy for you to join their team then a potential offer.

I am also doing an internship this summer in commercial banking! :smile:

Reply 13

Spiritually

It's because people dropped out / had better offers. Happens all the time.

Reply 14

studos

What's the pay?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 15

biglad2k16

Original post by studos

What's the pay?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Of course you'd ask that. Why don't you ask what a commercial bank does or what the job entails?

Reply 16

studos

Original post by biglad2k16

Of course you'd ask that. Why don't you ask what a commercial bank does or what the job entails?

That's the second question. if it doesn't pay well, why would I bother to pursue it?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 17

Pucizza

Original post by studos

That's the second question. if it doesn't pay well, why would I bother to pursue it?

Posted from TSR Mobile

All three questions are important. I should add anyway that, why pursuing a role that doesn't pay well: if "doesn't pay well" is such only by banking standards, there are good learning opportunities, the firm is global and the alternatives scarce... I'd go for it.

UPDATE: I got invited to an interview by the business banking regional director. The role is obviously in the business (corporate) division. I'll learn more next week but I'd be surprised it paid less than 30-32k.

I'm an international who had originally applied to a global programme, relationship management stream, so it's likely a role in relationship management.

The takeaway from this, anyway, is that rejections are not necessarily permanent and it may help to follow through and stay in touch, you may be a silver medalist :smile:

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 18

biglad2k16