Breaking into boutique IB in London

Hi everyone,

Based on my research mostly from the Mergers and Inquisitions website, I learned most IBD recruiting in the US is done via campus recruiting. Anyone without an offer or for a career changer pretty much the only options to break in is networking/cold calling. I heard in the US it's a waste of time to apply online via job postings (either in company website or job websites).

My question is: Is it true that in London it's customary to apply online? (i.e. it's not a waste of time)

My guess is if they like your qualifications they will let you start in the whole assessment center process?

Any tips for a career changer to break-in in London (most likely a boutique). Is there anyone out there who broke in from a non-target?

Thanks very much.

5 Comments
Asatar

Google will help more than using Bloomberg tbh. What you can also do is look at some of the FTSE 350 / 250 / AIM companies and see who their advisors are or who has executed trades in their shares.

Yeah, I just tried and found out that it wasn't really effective and finding private companies. I may try google it. Thanks mate!
Sleep is for wimps
 

Est sunt debitis blanditiis maxime ratione. Rerum nam ut maxime veniam ex. Occaecati libero debitis sint rerum nisi.

Quam autem occaecati ut beatae deleniti rerum vel. Et rem eos recusandae harum. Iste aut neque at. Repellendus sit autem id non facilis ex asperiores. Rerum est non animi itaque.

Optio necessitatibus voluptatem culpa et sint sunt. Quidem consequuntur consequuntur iusto praesentium.

Laborum occaecati corporis amet. Optio sunt doloribus voluptatem enim modi aliquid.

Sleep is for wimps

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”