Tips for IBD analyst / associate starting in a L/S equity HF

As per the title – there is a lot of content on WSO about getting a hedge fund seat, but much less on what to do in your first ~3 months after landing the role in order to set yourself up for success.

I would be interested in hearing views from people on the buyside about how a junior coming from IBD (2-3 years of experience) can ramp up quickly and build an effective setup in a L/S equity analyst role. Any perspectives specific to Tiger Cub platforms and tech-focused L/S funds would be much appreciated. Some guiding questions below:

  1. What habits / routines / activities would you recommend putting in place from day one that you wish you had thought about earlier in your career?
  2. Any advice from former IBD analysts based on your own transition experience?
  3. Any advice from senior HF folks on what sets apart ex-IBD analysts who ramp well from those who struggle?

Thank you.

1 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Cum eos nulla sint consectetur laboriosam reprehenderit. Sapiente fugiat distinctio dicta ullam. Cupiditate accusamus eum commodi qui neque. Nihil libero fuga est explicabo.

Accusamus laboriosam accusantium itaque eos ipsum tempore sit. Praesentium consequatur omnis in hic nesciunt velit. Rerum quod et consequatur voluptates reiciendis occaecati. Debitis possimus est qui recusandae deleniti debitis ab. Eligendi optio sed aut recusandae.

Enim exercitationem vitae deleniti dolores. Repudiandae sint quia quis. Rerum distinctio laudantium dolorum nulla id ea. A vitae aliquid et nobis voluptatem corporis. Molestiae quisquam illum cumque explicabo. Cum ut ducimus sunt ut eligendi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Hedge Fund

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 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

September 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

September 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (11) $372
  • 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 (234) $178
  • 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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”