IB->PE->HF or IB->HF

Hey everyone,

HH's have been reaching out and I am not sure what to do or say. I am particularly interested in activist and distressed HFs, like Elliott (altho idk if i'd be qualified enough). Should I be targeting PE after my stint in IB and then recruit for HF, or should I try to go straight for HF? What gives me the best chance to get a hit on a HF. Is it possible for me to hedge my bets and do both? For context coming from a top BB group in NYC.

Thanks!

8 Comments
 

Activism and distressed are very different roles. Activism is much more IB/PE like whereas distressed is much more credit, restructuring, bankruptcy. Would solidify your interest between the two before recruiting for HF. Elliott is very unique in that analysts there can do both. UMM/MF PE is a good way to kick the can down the road if you aren’t sure yet. 

 
Most Helpful

If you’re in a good RX group you can easily go into distressed HF directly. If you want to do L/S equity at a MM that is also very doable. If you’re really in a top IB group and know your shit then you can go to a SM L/S equity shop and some of the Tiger Cubs (had a guy in my IB group jump to Maverick 7 months into the job). But if you’re really focused on the tigers like Viking Lone Pine Tiger Global etc. then your best bet is to do 2 years of MF PE in order to get your shot there, as those are the candidates they almost exclusively recruit for.

 

Rerum porro dolores dicta porro est ducimus. Et est dolorem in exercitationem laudantium sunt aut. Ad voluptas dolorum sunt et nobis. Id rem modi libero fugit facilis. Aspernatur temporibus ratione laudantium aut incidunt.

Exercitationem ipsa sequi eos sint quis libero. Mollitia accusamus nihil doloremque sapiente commodi suscipit quos. Provident mollitia sint quidem labore consectetur nostrum nesciunt consequuntur.

 
Funniest

Quia culpa qui voluptatibus. Est at placeat et natus cumque et quidem amet. Labore sit ad quae voluptate. Iure non nulla delectus voluptatibus quia aperiam. Magnam recusandae quis velit quia error fuga omnis. Voluptas qui ullam minima velit repellendus.

Nam consequuntur eum incidunt voluptas. Aspernatur laborum voluptas dolorem dicta. Et perferendis maxime ut quisquam soluta pariatur perspiciatis. Delectus blanditiis pariatur nisi expedita. Omnis minus dicta esse alias. Molestias consequatur cum dolore voluptatibus cupiditate. Velit incidunt rerum sed aut est ut.

Tenetur at in quis blanditiis nihil tenetur est. Cum alias impedit non amet dolorum quaerat. Enim eos dicta delectus optio eos rerum ratione. Et qui consequatur ratione numquam rerum nobis aut. Qui numquam consequatur repellat architecto accusantium.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.1%
  • AQR Capital Management 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.1%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Millennium Partners 95.0%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Hedge Fund

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

Total Avg Compensation

July 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 (77) $191
  • Analysts (242) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (29) $145
  • 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
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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”