Finance Recruiting Status Map
This conversation was generated using Cook'd AI's career assistant and reviewed by Fallon Han from our editorial team for accuracy.
I'm a first-year econ undergrad on an F-1 visa and I'm starting to target bulge-bracket IB roles in New York. I just applied and want to understand what stage I'm actually in and what usually comes next.
If you just submitted your resume, you are usually in the initial screening stage. For bulge-bracket banks, the common flow is resume submission first, then either HireVue or a recruiter screen, then first round interviews, and if you do well, superday. Early on, the biggest sign is whether the application changes from submitted to under review or invites you to complete an assessment. If you want, I can help you map your current application against that pipeline and tell you what timing is normal.
My status changed to under review and then I got a HireVue invite two days later. Is that fast, and does it mean they actually like my profile?
Yes, that is usually a positive sign. At big banks, a quick move from resume submission to HireVue often means your application passed the first filter and they want to test communication, motivation, and fit before spending interviewer time. It does not guarantee anything, but it is much better than sitting in submitted for weeks. For a first-year undergrad, this is especially encouraging because you are being considered early relative to most of the pool.
After I finished the HireVue, how long should I expect before hearing about a first round? I do not want to assume rejection if it takes a week.
A week is not unusual at all. For bulge-bracket recruiting, the gap between HireVue and first round can be a few days to two weeks, sometimes longer if the office is batching candidates. If they are moving quickly, you might hear back in 2 to 5 business days. If it stretches beyond two weeks, that can still be normal, but the odds shift toward either a waitlist-style hold or a slower internal process.
If I get first round, what usually happens after that? I am trying to read the whole pipeline, not just the next email.
The usual path is first round, then a final round or superday if the team wants to keep you moving. First round is often a mix of behavioral questions, resume detail, and basic finance or market awareness. If you perform well, superday is the concentrated final stage with several back-to-back interviews, often on the same day. In some groups, especially for New York IB, first round can feel almost like a screening for superday rather than a deep technical gauntlet.
Given that I am an F-1 student and only a first-year, should I read slower movement as a bad sign, or just normal for banks with a lot of applicants?
Mostly normal. Big banks process many applicants, and timing varies by office, class year, and whether they are prioritizing juniors for full-time or sophomore programs for early insight. Your F-1 status usually matters more later, if they get to offer and sponsorship questions, not at the early review stage. For now, the best way to read the process is by stage: submitted means no decision yet, HireVue means you cleared the resume screen, first round means you are in live consideration, and superday means you are close to a decision.