Sell-side has been better for last few years

My SS friends have been doing pretty well the last few years when taking into account job security and relative pay to buyside. They’re making a similar amount to me, have significantly less day-to-day stress, and can jump to buyside if they want given our sector really only hires from sell-side (biotech). What am I missing? Did I make a mistake by coming to the buyside too early/at a bad time? I’m sure once Biotech comes back it’ll be better but I’m feeling like I want to go back to SS…

13 Comments
 

I don’t disagree. I just wish I waited longer to switch. Would you say most switch after 2-4 years on the sell-side? Is there any benefit to wait longer than 1 year to switch? 

 

Lol where else are they gonna hire from except the SS. It’s either SS or BS…

Am I missing something. This seems like the same guy who keeps posting about biotech. We get it bro you work at Leerink biotech with a PhD. Post sound really similar and bros a “prospect in research” like the Leerink dude.

I’m also on biotech ER with an MD/PhD btw.

 

This definitely isn’t true at large but you have a point for non-PhDs/MDs that they’ll probably be better positioned from IB based on others that have made the move. But at large the most common path is definitely PhD/MD -> ER -> Buyside

 
Most Helpful

Unless you get fired you should not go back. Its not as easy to go back to SS as you might think...SS analysts would rather hire someone from school/consulting/SS than someone from BS whom might leave as soon as a good BS opportunity materializes.  It doesn't make much sense as presumably juniors with BS experience will add more value than school/consulting/SS juniors if only because they've seen how PMs make investment decisions.  But practically, despite it being inescapable, SS analysts abhor turnover and will try to mitigate the risk as much as possible.

 

I can second this. Unless a BS candidate has a very compelling reason (usually related to a lifestyle or family change), they won't be considered for a SS role from my experience.

 

I wouldn't go so far as to say they won't be considered...it really depends on the Senior Analyst doing the hiring.  Less experienced/established Senior Analysts hiring their first couple associates are less likely to view the risk/reward of hiring BS people favorably as they are still trying to build their franchise.  They really don't want to have to continually rehire/train etc. juniors while they're busting their ass to do this.  More established Senior Analysts whom are seeking ways to improve and differentiate their research are probably more willing to bring someone in with BS experience because they hope they can learn a thing or two from them even if they jump ship eventually.

 

Totam ea natus delectus eos. Nihil necessitatibus ut laudantium. Iste natus tenetur illum facere ad voluptas. Ut quo fugiat unde laudantium ducimus modi. Saepe omnis aut earum aspernatur enim. Modi dolore consequatur et quidem pariatur modi.

Consequatur doloribus ratione quod reiciendis quae ratione. Dolores sapiente aliquid ea architecto. Asperiores ea aut eligendi quos. Qui id autem fugiat voluptatem provident praesentium. Voluptates exercitationem ab ea qui ea. Consequatur delectus officiis quos vero sed.

Atque expedita nobis ducimus laborum temporibus dignissimos fugiat. Quis ut repellendus modi veniam ex sit qui. Laboriosam et sed laudantium dignissimos modi in magnam. Veritatis nisi libero sint autem.

Qui officia rerum id. Itaque veniam aliquam eos quo ut numquam eos. Vero et occaecati itaque saepe. Odio ratione voluptatibus sit sunt ullam. Commodi ea temporibus voluptas animi possimus. Est ut voluptas odit corrupti. Expedita id laborum vel libero maiores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • AQR Capital Management 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.0%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Two Sigma Investments 94.9%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.1%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.1%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $355
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (83) $287
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $193
  • Analysts (235) $177
  • Intern/Summer Associate (29) $145
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (276) $95
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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”