WSO Weekly Wrap-up

March 14, 2026

Hey WSO Monkey,

Hope you’re hanging in there. Some more new discussions this week, a mix of reality checks and useful here’s-what-actually-works advice from folks who’ve been around the block. Skim whatever feels relevant!

-Patrick

Top Discussions

  1. Did Everything “Right” but Still No Offer - Any Advice? - "Wanted to get some honest advice from people here. I feel like I did everything I was supposed to for recruiting. I sent around 700-800 networking emails, have a 3.95 GPA as a double STEM major at a target school with heavy grade deflation, and interned last summer at a boutique investment bank where I worked more live deals than a UBS analyst. I also spent a lot of time preparing technically and basically memorized every technical guide I could find. I ended up with around 10-15 interviews and 3 superdays but still no offer. I’m not blaming the market or luck, and realistically, I should have converted at least one of those and I want to hold myself accountable. I genuinely tried to prepare as much as possible and put a lot of time into this process..."

  2. We overhauled our Forward Curve to be the most powerful, interactive tool in the industry - "Fully interactive, instantly downloadable, and packed with the live data you need. It’s the coolest forward curve in the biz—toggle indices, overlay historicals, and export data in seconds. Check it out for free.”

  3. Would You Go Work In Private Credit Right Now? - "Amid the uncertainty the sector is facing would go work in private credit right now? To be clear, I don’t think the area is going anywhere over the long-term, but I do think a natural rebalancing will need to occur and there will be some winners & losers. All that said, would you transition into PC today or would you give it time to let some of the dust settle?"

New Due Diligence Insights for an M&A Edge

As the M&A landscape continues to evolve, so do best practices in due diligence. SRS Acquiom keeps a close eye on that evolution in our latest study done in partnership with Mergermarket.

Our 2026 Best Practices in M&A Due Diligence study provides exclusive insights into the latest due diligence dynamics, uncovered through a survey of 150 senior executives at boutique, mid-market, and bulge-bracket U.S. investment banks.

What’s driving increasing complexity and timelines, the shifts in cyber security and tech due diligence, how much VDRs really cost, and more—it’s all here, all ready to help you sharpen your M&A edge.

Top Discussions (contd.)

  1. Most Coveted Seat in CRE - "The best role in CRE besides being retired and working for fun, is being at the intersection of this risk return dynamic and finding these windows of opportunity - in CRE but also anything that interests you and positioning yourself for something good. It’s not fun or desirable for me to play the game traditionally. You fight for your time to be able to think of postioning for your own long term benefit. You fight with your employer’s demands, your time wasting habits. Being able to position yourself right takes years and you aim for the future opportunity where the world comes to you. You don’t chase. There’s a lot of serendipity involved too..."

  2. Cold Email Tips - "Subject lines — keep them human. "Quick question from a school sophomore" works better than "Networking Request — Aspiring Investment Banking Analyst Seeking Guidance." The second one reads like ChatGPT wrote it, and yes, we can tell. LinkedIn vs. email — email is better for analysts/associates. LinkedIn is better for VPs and above who don't check their work email as carefully. But if you're going to LinkedIn message, connect first with a short note, then message after they accept. Cold InMails have even worse response rates than email. The real unlock is follow-ups…"

  3. Q&A: 30 Years in Banking Across Europe and Asia, Corporate & Consumer - "Just recently "pre-retired" at 50 after 30 years working in Singapore and Poland (for the same bank!). I have worked in or with all departments and managed Cards, Loans, Mortgages, Re-engineering, Strategy, just to name a few. I ran customer service training programs in Africa, took on additional projects, sat on various governance forums, got certified in Six Sigma and Lean (yes, I took advantage of every opportunity!). Now I am thrilled to be able to give back with advice. So feel free to ask away!"

  4. PE Live Deals Might Be the Worst Experience in Finance - "I have worked in cap markets, banking, and now PE at a megafund. After a few years of doing this, I gotta say that live deals in PE are fucking hell on earth. Say goodbye to your personal life (as scant as it may have been) for a good 3-6 months. Expect to work every waking hour of every day including holidays and weekends. This is no exaggeration - I have been averaging probably 100 hours a week for the past 3 months. If you want a fast track for clinical depression, this is the perfect recipe..."

New Podcasts Coming in Hot 🔥

  • From Non-Target to Rothschild: How She Landed UBS & Lazard Offers

  • From 100+ Rejections to Investment Banking — Nikita's Story

  • How Jaden Broke Into Investment Banking (Non-Target to Offer)

Hot Jobs 💼

Investment Banking Vice President - "This involves reviewing AI outputs for correctness, methodological rigour, and commercial relevance—then building evaluation criteria and model answers that reflect how things are actually done at top-tier banks…"

Private Equity Expert - "Mercor is recruiting U.S./UK/Canada/Europe/Australia-based Private Equity Experts for a research project with a leading foundational model AI lab."

Financial Modeling Expert - "In this highly visible role, you will deploy your deep expertise in financial modeling, valuation, and deal structuring to support major investment decisions across diverse sectors..."

WSO Mentor - "Are you an experienced professional with a background in investment banking, private equity, hedge funds, S&T, venture capital, asset management, equity research, quant finance, corporate dev, real estate finance, or top-tier consulting? Passionate about mentoring the next generation of leaders? Wall Street Oasis (WSO) is expanding its Mentorship Program, and we're looking for outstanding professionals to join our mentor roster—an elite network supporting students and young professionals as they prepare for high-stakes careers. Whether you’re looking to give back, stay connected to rising talent, or sharpen your coaching skills, this role offers you the chance to make a meaningful impact, remotely and on your schedule..."

On Deck - Training 🎓

All in Eastern Standard Time

Stay Strong,
Patrick Curtis
CEO and Founder, WallStreetOasis.com

WSO Mobile App: iOS | Android

PS - We're also always looking to add resume reviewers and WSO Mentors to our team. Set your own pay (from $40/hr to up to $400/hr) to increase or decrease mentee flow. To submit an application, go here.

PPS - Think you have an interesting story? Want to share it with our podcast listeners? Hit reply and let me know!




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