Spinning a buy-side SA job at FT banking interviews

What's up all

This summer I managed to land a few banking offers but I chose what I thought was a really interesting summer job at a buy-side (PE/HF) shop, knowing that a full-time offer was not a possibility and knowing that I hope to join an analyst program after college. I'm going into my senior year this fall and intend on participating in full-time banking recruitment... specifically banking over any buy-side opportunity.

I know that it's important to have my story straight and I was wondering if anybody has advice on how to spin my decision to work buy-side this summer in my favor when interviewing for full-time.

Thanks in advance

 

What type of work were you doing? If you could spin that you were involved in the due dilligence process & client presentations in PE then you'll be fine.. All about the spinning my friend! Be aware of candidates with previous IBANK/IM experience though.

 

I had a similar situation. I interned at a small PE shop for 6 months while I was still in school. When asked why I was interested in IB during the interview process, I responded that "although I enjoyed the experience on the buy-side, what interested me the most was the transaction or deal-making process. Given the high volume of deals that Investment Banks see and process, I feel an IB role is more aligned with my career goals and interests." I also added that the PE firm closed at maximum a handful of deals per year while Investment Banks see seemingly endless deal flow. Whether the aforementioned interest in the buy-side transaction process is genuinely true or not, if conveyed intelligently, it will work. I'll be starting a full-time IB gig in July. Good luck

 
Best Response

Fugit eius porro et placeat autem. Est provident voluptate maxime et ex sunt debitis. Animi doloremque sint deserunt inventore deleniti. Saepe perferendis asperiores unde ad. Ipsa ipsa accusantium et aut quia quo dignissimos.

Magni et nesciunt et illo ut consequatur in. Nobis nostrum excepturi pariatur. Eligendi fuga sed consectetur reprehenderit quas. Nobis aliquam cumque eos facere eius.

Quia dolore voluptatem eveniet voluptatibus assumenda ut. Quo enim at possimus quasi esse tempora quasi facilis. Non similique maiores minima earum nesciunt perspiciatis. Suscipit quisquam pariatur dolores voluptatum et architecto blanditiis.

Consequatur vero accusamus rerum labore perferendis nostrum. Error sit illo distinctio dolorum dicta sequi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”