People lateral recruiting for ER right now

how is it so hard to move on past 1st round with covering analysts? had about 7-9 first rounds with MDs, but only made it to 2nd in person stage with one of them. That's even with few years of experience under belt. 

wondering if y'all are seeing same trend, confused what these analysts are looking for

5 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights regarding lateral recruiting for Equity Research (ER):

  1. Current Market Trends:

    • The lateral hiring market is currently challenging, with many headcount reductions and fewer roles available. This has made it difficult for candidates to move past the first round of interviews, even with experience.
  2. What Analysts are Looking For:

    • Technical Proficiency: It's crucial to have a strong grasp of technical skills. Perfecting technical knowledge is not just a bonus but a necessity.
    • Fit and Adaptability: Analysts may be looking for candidates who can seamlessly integrate into their teams and adapt to the specific demands of the role. This includes being open to guidance from younger analysts and being willing to discard old habits from previous jobs.
    • Sector Knowledge: Specific knowledge about the sector you are applying for can be a significant advantage. Analysts might be looking for candidates who can hit the ground running with minimal training.
  3. Challenges in the Process:

    • High Competition: There is a high demand for lateral positions, but the supply of roles is limited. This increases competition and makes it harder to progress through the interview stages.
    • Screening Processes: Some firms have rigorous screening processes that might favor candidates from certain backgrounds or with specific experiences.
  4. Advice for Candidates:

    • Networking: Position yourself through networking and technical preparation to be first in line when an opening comes up.
    • Persistence: Keep applying and preparing for interviews. The market conditions can change, and persistence can pay off.

If you are experiencing difficulties, it might be helpful to seek feedback from your interviews to understand better what specific areas you can improve on.

I'm sorry, but it looks like this may be out of my ability to answer... maybe some of the links below might help?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

You have a few years of ER experience already? What’s the reason for moving rather than jumping to buyside? Are you talking to covering analysts with in the same sector as you are? easiest to lateral if you have 1-2 years of experience. It gets harder after 3 years because now you have “high” expectations of wanting to get promotion in the next 1-2 years into VP and covering names, which can cause conflict of interest with the senior analyst. At worst you’re planning to stay there for a year only and leave for another job. Senior analysts with at least 2-3 associates would care less but small teams care about getting someone who will stay for a solid 2-3 before asking for the next big jump.

 

Quos beatae voluptas nobis et nihil voluptates sint. Corporis ad sed voluptatem non praesentium dolorem qui. Temporibus dolorum reprehenderit eos illo odit omnis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”