Anyone with experience going from Corp Dev to IB?
Background (light on detail to keep anonymous):
I've spent 3 years in corporate development but thinking about trying IB.
I hardly do any work in my current corp dev role role, so the jump to 80 hour weeks would be a pretty drastic change, but the idea of higher pay and more deal experience interests me. Would be aiming for something like second-year analyst position at a bank. Not targeting anything special, likely a shitty regional boutique.
Reading some of the posts here make me second guess my ability to last in IB. Has anyone here made such a transition? If so, what was your experience, and are you glad you did it?
Bump, while I'm not able to help, I'm curious as to how you managed to start in corp dev without banking?
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3+ years of Corp Dev experience here. I did it with the MBA route since I wanted to start out as a stub associate at an EB.
I'm an ASO1 currently and no regrets so far. Content of the work is very similar, just have to get used to responding to emails within 5 minutes instead of an hour. The glass ceiling hits you hard and fast in Corp Dev. You can only move to IB while you're young and it lets you come back to Corp Dev (if you want) at a higher position than what you would've been at had you stayed. Happy to answer any follow-up questions.
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Yeah of course. I averaged ~50 hours per week in Corp Dev. Slow weeks with WFH were honestly like 30 and live deals put us above 50, but I had never worked more than 60 hours. My IB group now is a bit sweaty, but flexible with WFH and letting me get normal stuff done like dentist appointments on weekdays. I now average low 80s and go above 90 about once a month. Keep in mind this is ASO1.
Promotion track in Corp Dev doesn't require IB experience and (probably) varies greatly by company. My previous firm was very large. I would've had to slowly move from Associate -> Manager -> Senior Manager -> Director. A lot of these seats wouldn't open until someone left the firm either...I would've needed another 10+ years to move from Associate to Director, assuming everyone above me left on schedule. In IB, you can make that move during VP years if you want to go back.
Currently working at a publicly traded company and considering to move to the banking side as a former client. Same rationale - better pay, better upward mobility and more deals. Let me know how it goes and happy to provide updates as well.
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Are you leveraging sell-side connections you've made?
- Yes. Reached out to bankers I've partnered with on deals as well as those who networked with us. No one will say no to you since you are a client /potential client. Try to target VPs and directors. They are senior enough to put you in the process yet not too busy to care or meet up.
How it goes for you.
- Still ongoing
How do you see yourself lateralling?
- From second year analyst in corp dev to associate 1 in IB
Finally, it does not hurt to network and express your interest regardless of the timing. Can always follow up later
Have seen it done - not common, the posts on here about IB lifestyle are no joke. If you have a closed deal or two on your resume that will certainly help you in recruiting.
If you are at a public company you can do much better than small regional boutique. I've seen people go F500 corp dev -> top BB/EB
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