Post-Quarter Life Crisis Break, Want to Break into Corp Dev in US from Canada

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights to your questions:

Immigration-Related Questions:

1. Work Authorization Question:

   • When applying online, if asked "Are you currently authorized to work in the country in which you are applying?" you should answer "No."
   • When asked "Will you in the future need a sponsorship to work at Bank X?" you should answer "Yes."
   • Be aware that answering "Yes" to needing future sponsorship may lead to automatic rejection from many screenings. Some people choose to answer "No" to avoid being filtered out, but this carries the risk of having to explain the situation later, which can be tricky.

2. TN Visa Category for Corporate Development:

   • Corporate Development roles do not directly fall under the "Economist" category for TN visas. The TN visa is specific and does not guarantee approval for roles outside its defined categories. The CBP has complete discretion, and finance roles like IB/S&T do not typically qualify under the Economist status.

3. Finding Sponsorship-Friendly Firms:

   • There is no straightforward way to identify sponsorship-friendly firms specifically for Corporate Development. However, larger firms (F50, F100) are more likely to have the resources and experience to handle visa sponsorships. Checking if companies have employees who graduated from Canadian schools can be a rough indicator of their openness to hiring Canadians.

General Corporate Development Questions:

1. Appropriate Level in Corporate Development:

   • With 3.5 years of IB M&A experience, you should aim for roles at the Associate or Manager level in Corporate Development. Titles can vary across companies, so it's essential to review job descriptions carefully.

2. Starting a Job Search in Corporate Development:

   • Begin by networking with connections who work in Corporate Development. Use LinkedIn to identify and reach out to professionals in the field.
   • Apply to job postings online, focusing on companies with active Corporate Development teams. Industry-agnostic roles mean you can cast a wide net across various sectors.

3. Recruiters with a Corporate Development Focus:

   • Glocap is one recruiter mentioned in WSO threads. It may be beneficial to research and reach out to other specialized recruiters in the finance and corporate development space.

4. Geography and Remote Work:

   • California and Florida are good targets for on-site roles. Remote Corporate Development jobs are less prevalent but may exist, especially in the current job market.
   • Focus on regions with a high concentration of tech companies or large corporations, as they are more likely to have robust Corporate Development teams.

5. Current Job Market and Work-Life Balance (WLB):

   • The job market for Corporate Development can be competitive, but opportunities exist, especially in larger firms and tech companies.
   • Work-life balance (WLB) varies by company and role. Salary ranges can also vary widely, so it's essential to research specific companies and roles to get a better understanding.

For more detailed information, you may want to explore specific threads and discussions on WSO related to Corporate Development and visa sponsorship.

Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/canadiansinternationals-applying-for-us-investment-banking?customgpt=1, Attn: All Canadians who work in the US: TN Visas will no longer be available to IB Analysts - New Regulations, The Other Road: Corporate Development Associate Fielding Questions, IBD Barriers to Entry For Canadians and How to Overcome Them, Any fellow Canadians going to the States in 2019 for FT/SA start? How confidant do you feel about your visa?