Full-Time Equity Research Recruiting
I'm currently a Summer Analyst in the Healthcare Investment Banking group at a middle-market firm, and over the course of the summer I've realized that investment banking absolutely isn't the right long-term fit for me. I'm much more interested in pursuing Equity Research and public markets.
My biggest concern is the recruiting process. If I receive a return offer, I'd likely need to decline it in order to recruit for ER, which means entering my senior year without a full-time job lined up. That feels like a significant risk.
What does the typical full-time recruiting timeline for Equity Research look like, particularly for candidates who didn't intern in ER during their junior summer? It seems like there are relatively few job postings online compared to investment banking. Is that normal, and are most roles filled through internship return offers? Will more job postings appear throughout the fall?
More broadly, would it be reasonable to decline a banking return offer and recruit specifically for Equity Research? If so, what would a successful recruiting strategy and timeline look like?
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know about full-time Equity Research (ER) recruiting and your situation:
Typical Full-Time ER Recruiting Timeline:
Job Postings and Networking:
Declining a Banking Return Offer:
Successful Recruiting Strategy:
In summary, while declining a return offer is a risk, it can be a calculated one if you’re committed to ER and have a solid plan. Focus on networking, skill-building, and targeting firms with structured timelines to maximize your chances.
Sources: 2022 INVESTMENT BANKING FULL-TIME RECRUITING THREAD, 2022 INVESTMENT BANKING FULL-TIME RECRUITING THREAD, What's the process like for return offer?, Full-time non-SA IB recruiting timeline? Summer 2020 PE Internship → Investment Banking Analyst
If you get a return offer in a good group at a reputable bank, I would encourage you to seriously consider taking the offer. The job market right now is not great and in my opinion, ER is much more vulnerable to AI disruption than IB.
Here's the thing, IB isn't a long term fit for most everyone. The percentage of people that stay in IB beyond 2-3 years is pretty small. Just because it isn't a long term fit for you to work for 5-10 years doesn't mean it won't be a fit for developing your long-term career. You can pivot to a lot of things after a year or two of IB, including ER. You will likely have an easier time trying to go to ER from a FT IB role than getting a ER seat right out college.
If you can stomach it for a year or two and you work with decent people, I think it is worth considering, rather than taking a big risk by rejecting an offer with nothing else lined up
People who think ER is more vulnerable to AI disruption than any other job in finance don’t know much about ER. Do what makes you happy, banking can get you anywhere. Don’t risk it, you can always move to ER but it’s harder to go the other way.
Take the FT offer for IB. FT ER roles are circumstantial and pop up way more frequently than you think
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