Exit Opp Recruiting While in Equity Research

Hi guys,

So I'll be joining a BB ER firm after I graduate and my goal is to eventually jump to a hedge fund. I know that ER folks tend to get recruited by the clients they work with so there isn't an immediate rush to recruit for exit opps like banking does, but is it worthwhile to try and get on the hedge fund recruiting timeline with the bankers?

Several contacts I have on the buy-side recommend me to stay on the job for at least 2-3 years so I can get properly trained but I always hear about how the job can skew your ability to be truly objective due to its political nature. Should I just stay, do the best job I can, and just wait out an opportunity where a client wants to hire me or network/use headhunters to get on the banker exit opp timeline?

Also, would headhunters be willing to work with me if I were to do exit opp recruiting after .5-1 year on the job? Thanks.

3 Comments
 
Best Response

You shouldn't be concerned with possible exit opps before you even start. You may even find you want to stay sell-side and be a senior analyst. Point being, don't look past what is directly in front of you. Bust it at your soon-to-be current firm, be adaptable and always seek out opportunities to expand your knowledge and skill set.

Head hunters will more than likely start reaching out once you hit 6 or 7 months (they did for me) but don't get caught up in it. They will all tell you the same thing: hard to jump after only one year unless you are a rock star. So knuckle down and re-evaluate how you feel after 1-1.5 years, you might be surprised or you might start testing the waters for a jump.

Best of luck.

 

Tenetur officia rerum quo eveniet voluptas rerum hic ipsam. Et quos minima modi eveniet. Sed ipsam nisi aut quia dolor. Animi nemo voluptatibus voluptas maiores et eos ad. Ducimus dicta aperiam consectetur aut sed sed. Nostrum consequuntur culpa repellendus et labore porro et. Quia repellendus repellat sint cum nostrum illo.

Iusto omnis beatae dolorem non iusto et accusamus. Modi quia laborum suscipit qui quia. Accusamus velit corporis molestiae modi. Consequatur est cumque consequatur recusandae. Eos atque facere dolores earum.

Vel odio similique quae qui deleniti quo debitis. Voluptatem reprehenderit voluptas tenetur non aspernatur quod est. Perspiciatis quam ut qui et quia eos. Consequuntur laborum atque incidunt et voluptatum consequuntur est.

Quod minus consectetur sit inventore consectetur necessitatibus. Nostrum repellendus dignissimos explicabo velit repudiandae eligendi.

Created a 1-step skincare solution for men. Purchase + reviews appreciated: www.w34th.com

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”