Exploding Offer, Help Please (double posting need answers)

Hi All,

I've received exploding offers from a leading MM firm (M&A or Tech) that looks like it's going to get big, and from an Ex-Lehman Boutique (Generalist M&A/DCM/ECM). I need to make my pick.

Everyone at the boutique is a heavy hitter (even the associates were pulled from BB's) and the partners all all ex-Lehman/GS/MS/Laz/Rchild. The only thing is, they're putting me on three months internship/probation before extending that to a full contract. They have in the past however, converted 100% of new hires. I've met 15 of their people, and they all seem to be on the ball.

The other place has given me a straight-out offer ($71k+?bonus). I have a pick of teams, and it looks like I'll head towards M&A. They seem very keen on having me, although the full-time contract does also have a 3-month probation period. Their senior bankers impressed me, though they all came from BB's which might explain it.

What I would love to hear from you guys is:

*Is a boutique really better in terms of exposure? *Is it better to go to an OK big bank or a great boutique? *Is pay likely to be better (long-run) at a boutique?

Thanks (will repost in another forum as I need answers fast)

10 Comments
 

If it were me, I'd go with the boutique. It sounds like a smaller shop which means you can get more experience and little more hands on stuff, access to higher ups. You have to make the final decision yourself, best of luck.

 

Thanks Mr Bernanke, good luck with the Economy, nice beard!

I think I'll probably end up with the boutique, they've done double-digit-billion-dollar deals, and everyone there really seemed to like me. It's just that with the MM I have the illusion of job security: if for some reason the first three months at the boutique don't work out then I'm pretty much kicked out of finance (I've been interning around the industry since graduating in June)

 

Very difficult choice. I would tend to take the conservative option, the MM. It also depends on which MM you are talking about. There is a big difference between places like Piper, Baird and Jefferies, Wells (could be BBs in near future). If the latter two firms, I may be even more prone to choosing the MM.

 

Thanks mate. It is one of the latter two. My only dilemma is that with the boutique, I would get Proper exposure, i.e. actually presenting my work at meetings, being encouraged to build a franchise and drawing deals wherever possible (even for juniors). And also that everyone I've met who I'll be working with is outstanding, whilst several of the MM juniors were a bit underwhelming.

Any more thoughts?

 

For what it's worth, you said that everyone at the boutique had tremendous backgrounds. I'm sure they are well networked and could provide contacts when you began to look elsewhere.

 

Yeah, these guys were pretty baller. As I said, they poached associates from BBs and one of my friends there doubled her old salary in 6 months. I'm possibly in it for the long-haul. I've been drinking the IB kool-aid for a long time and am thinking about partnership; might not even go back to PE, but thanks for that insight, hadn't thought of that!

 

Go with Jeffries sir. Your description seems to fit that conclusion. Jeffries is on the up and up and they've made you a firm offer

‎"Until and unless you discover that money is the root of all good, you ask for your own destruction. When money ceases to become the means by which men deal with one another, then men become the tools of other men. Blood, whips and guns or dollars."
 

Odit consequuntur voluptas quia facere necessitatibus. Hic in perferendis incidunt ut placeat quae et. Natus sint mollitia neque ipsam molestiae quam consequatur. Expedita non non aperiam distinctio omnis aliquam eaque. Soluta adipisci aut accusamus et non reprehenderit.

Officia dolorem sit labore rem. Omnis dolores maiores itaque. Exercitationem architecto sequi dolorem vitae saepe ipsam sint.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.0%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.6%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (77) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (71) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
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...”