Headhunters for after sell side BB
So… after some time in sell side ER zar a BB, I want to leave. Only headhunters that reached out to me were Alexander Chapman, Mercury Partners, and some at select HFs. What other headhunters would take a look at me? I emailed a bunch and they didn’t give me the time of day which seemed like someone else had had the same exact experience on here. Thoughts?
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and recommendations regarding headhunters for transitioning from sell-side ER at a bulge bracket (BB):
Direct Contacts and Networking:
Headhunters for Experienced Hires:
Specialized Areas:
Recommendations:
Cold Calls and Referrals:
Avoiding Unreliable Headhunters:
List of Headhunters:
Engaging with Headhunters:
If you need more specific recommendations or further assistance, you might want to explore related topics on WSO or reach out to professionals in your network who have successfully transitioned from sell-side ER.
Sources: Best Headhunting Shops ?, Q&A: Headhunter/Recruiter - M&A Investment Banking, Transitioning from IB/ER to HF Series - Part 2: Where to Interview and Behaviorals, Q&A:Big 4 Audit to Boutique M&A Shop, Are you interviewing with any other banks/firms?
Outside of MM HF, no one wants someone coming from ER anymore. I’ve contacted every reputable recruiter on the street and have never gotten an interview outside of a MM HF shop. Am currently at BB ER.
Unfortunately this has been my experience too. I had a couple SMs reach out early on the job but I’m pretty sure they just wanted to expand their search pool and I wasn’t taken seriously nor was I completely ready for that anyways. All that has gone away (maybe due to bad market) and the only headhunter interaction I get is from the common shitty ones. Based on what I hear from peers, that’s fairly common.
Still very junior in my role - what changed that made them not look at ER anymore?
Just a guess but it’s definitely correlated to the popularity of IB. I think it used to be that those interested in public markets would join ER and those interested in M&A/deal work joined IB. While this is still true, it’s like IB has become the place for everyone including those interested in public markets despite the difference in day to day. The talent pipeline moved to IB where people were willing to work harder and longer hours and that’s what these firms valued. At the same time, the buyside figured out they could just teach juniors from scratch instead of having to correct some skills learned on the sellside. The value mostly shifted from skillset and industry knowledge to “raw talent”, work ethic, and modeling skills.
Sometimes I regret not doing IB but then I quickly remember that I like my day to day job and don’t have to work 80 hours a week. Pros and cons. I’m at the point in my life where interesting things are happening outside of my career so I’m really happy with my decision and thinking about moving to an even less work-oriented job/career path.
If you don’t mind sharing, which recruiting firms got you interviews at MM HFs?
I’m at a mm ER shop and have the same experience. Thought it’d get better as you move up in BB rankings.
It really has more to do with the analyst + if a client liked you they may very well just hire you
I’d say head hunters are oblivious to this. Obviously Buyside has respect for analysts but this is specifically asking about HH’s
It doesn't. I was at a MM ER shop and lateraled to BB ER believing more opportunities would open up.
The BB ER analyst was also top 10 in the sector.
That hasn't really happened. I still only get interviews at the MMHFs.
Most of my colleagues who worked for #1/2 ranked analysts in my sector have only gone to MMHF (and not Citadel even, C notoriously seems to lean to people with prev buyside experience/coming from IB), haven't seen anyone break into a large or mid sized SM or LO.
Do you mind sharing which firms have helped land interviews at MM HFs?
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