Recruiting / Pipeline

How to Know If You're Cut (and Why It Doesn't Matter)

Treat banking recruitment like sales: keep pursuing opportunities until you get a clear "no" — you only need one yes.

MN·7 min read·

Sales Funnel Mechanics

You're in sales now. You are the product. Recruiting is a numbers game. Move prospects through stages until you close one.

Core Principles:

For strategy on timing interviews and negotiating competing offers, see Offer Timing & Negotiation.

Goal: Volume and Resonance

Channels: Coffee Chats, Info Sessions, Broad Networking

Every bank is a potential lead. Cast a wide net, build momentum, find people who click with you.

Goal: Targeted Nurturing and Conversion

Channels: Invite-Only Chats, Follow-Ups

The funnel narrows. Some leads drop, others heat up. Double down on wins. Let uninteresting opportunities fall off naturally.

Tactics:

Ignore comparisons. Patience outperforms panic.
Focus energy on traction. People who respond, connect, and engage—that's where momentum builds.
Drop cold leads. Spend that time on technicals, behavioral reps, or market views.
Play long-term. Even non-targets matter. Relationships open doors years later.

Goal: Strategic Selection and Closing

Channels: First Rounds, Superdays

Focus shifts from outreach to conversion. Banks have you shortlisted. They want to close top candidates quickly.

Tactics:

Drive toward the offer. Show interest is over. Build momentum every conversation.
Understand their constraints. Bankers juggle candidates, deadlines, internal dynamics. Holding offers you won't take burns trust.
Respond fast, communicate clearly. How you handle the final stretch leaves a stronger impression than the outcome.
Win clean. Accept decisively. Close the loop with everyone else. The industry is small.

Unless told otherwise, you're still in. Keep emailing. Keep following up.

One yes wins.

Authenticity	People remember how you make them feel. Drop the rehearsed act.
Shared Experience	Commonalities create lasting connections. Find them.
Ally Identification	Bankers who genuinely like you become advocates later.

	Negative/No Signal	Positive Signal
Top Choice	STAY PERSISTENT — Don't assume silence means rejection. One breakthrough changes everything.	DOUBLE DOWN — Max effort. Nurture these. Follow up consistently.
Other Banks	LET FALL OFF — Minimal energy. Focus elsewhere.	KEEP WARM — Maintain professionally. These are safety nets.