Exit to HF from IB 2nd year associate

Hi monkeys - did anyone had experience from switching from 2nd year IB associate covering certain industry to HF? I saw bridgewaters of the world tend to hire directly from colleges. Trying to learn and hope for decent feedback. 

5 Comments
 

I saw you had a similar question in the PE forum for wanting to get into PE.

I have seen associates (post-MBA) exit to MM platforms (from top tier banks) but I have yet to see anyone successfully exit to a “name brand” single manager. I’m sure there are exceptions, but none I have heard of.

With regards to PE recruiting, you are unlikely to get looks from large cap / name brand PE funds from post-MBA banking unless you have a stellar gold-plated resume and/or are a diversity candidate, and even then it is a long shot.

 

Thanks - appreciate it. Yes I am open to HF and PE (Buysides)

My bank is not top (middle market but is a household name) and yes I am post MBA associate. Do you know how did they get themselves in the HF door - recruiters, networking or else?

As for PE - I have been networking with buyside shops and have to say mid-Associate is not something they look for. Not sure if networking will make the cut here but would be happy to see what you think 

 
Most Helpful

The double edged sword with HF recruiting is that it is less structured. That means non-traditional backgrounds such as IB associates can make it in, but that the path isn't always clear or guaranteed. Being post MBA puts you a little older for making the move, so most of the guys are going to want to see if you have a passion for public markets investing. I think step one for you would be networking to simply learn the industry first, looking for where you could see yourself enjoying the work/investment strategy. For logistical purposes, they look primarily thru headhunters, but also use referrals, bloomberg postings, GoBuyside job postings, or the big funds could have apps posted online directly to places like Linkedin. If your bank has a sales platform, making inroads there could help because some PBs collect resumes to pass along to their clients and also tend to know who's looking to hire.

 

Qui consequuntur culpa sunt occaecati at. Ad modi rerum modi tempore ipsa. Ut architecto quisquam omnis aut. Iure magni magni corporis commodi suscipit.

Laudantium nemo consequatur tenetur cupiditate ipsa. Mollitia voluptatem quas consequatur omnis eaque aliquam et. Quae dolor quasi quas magni quas sequi fugit. Aut magnam eos aut velit aliquam qui id.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.1%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • Millennium Partners 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Blackstone Group 96.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 95.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.1%
  • Point72 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.2%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.3%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (86) $288
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $192
  • Analysts (240) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (28) $146
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (282) $96
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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”