Perfect role came up - apply now or keep powder dry?
Been working in AM for 1 year, previously spent 3 years at a ratings agency.
Love the strategy I'm in and can't see myself doing anything else, but the pay is absolute rubbish (EU) and I've always had ambitions to move over to a HF and do more spicy things than just vanilla LO.
Anyway, an analyst role came up at one of my dream funds in one of my dream cities. Furthermore I actually met one of their analysts on an investor trip a few months ago, I wouldn't go as far as saying I have an "in" but we chatted a bit, I'm sure they'd at least remember me.
My main issue is that I'm still super green. Even though I've learned a lot in the last year, have been getting good feedback etc, I still feel like an idiot next to my peers, say when I go to events and meet other people in the field. I know 99% of that comes down to experience, I'm always the youngest by 5-10 years at least, but still. What I'm concerned about is that I shoot my shot, look like an idiot, and then burn a bridge. My strategy is a pretty small world so there aren't so many bridges to burn.
On top of that, I've only been at my current shop for a year. Even though the pay is shite that's just the local market and I'm not being shafted; I actually have a great team that's both successful (returns wise) and patient (i.e. a great place to learn). Given they sponsored my visa to give me this opportunity it feels like a dick move to leave. Of course this is a dilemma to have once I've actually got a bird in hand.
What do y'all think: apply or bide my time, and apply a few years down the road? I'm also thinking of reaching out to my contact there on LinkedIn to discuss the role, maybe that would be a good angle to feel out if I'd be a good fit?
Waiting isn’t a strategy and there is never a right time. Go for it
Agree. Leave it to them to decide if you’re right
Don't feel shit about moving because the day they won't need you anymore they'll fire you. It's your career, so be professional and behave properly with them but take care of your personal interest. Go for it.
The more you will be experienced in this industry, the more they'll expect from you. So you should not think you'll crush interviews with few more years of experience.
At junior level, they are more looking for potential that they can shape than existing knowledge. I would focus myself on trying to show them I can be valuable in the future.
Also, you risk the chance of losing this connection if you wait few years, very difficult to feed connections when you're young in this industry as you often don't provide too much value to more senior investors.
Worst case scenario you will learn a lot from the interview process and have a better understanding for expectations at other firms and for other roles when it comes to what you want to be capable of - I made the mistake of waiting too long to feel like "I got it" (between my corporate finance / financial statement analysis skills, sector experience, and developing my own investment philosophy/process). The truth is every investor is constantly learning and growing and building on their skill set - hit the books and free resources out there, and take the shot.
A lot of good feedback here but:
1.) Don't worry about ditching your firm- they would do it to you if they needed to and there is a way you can do it respectfully/imply you got poached and opportunities don't come up often (regardless it's all hypothetical so don't worry about it)
2.) Given the "small-ness" of strategy/not wanting to burn a bridge I think reaching out to your contact for a "catch up" makes sense; would advise inquiring about the role via the phone to feel out for fit.
3.) As long as you don't get a hard no on #2 would consider pursuing it even if it is through "official channels" (if the person is senior and pushing back then I would pause, but if they are junior and luke warm towards you I would not let that deter you just dont go through them)
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