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A boutique where you're supposed to work for free until you get an offer elsewhere...Tobin is that you?

 

How is it legal for you to be unpaid? Is this an internship?

It's going to be an uphill battle to get into any BB/EB. That's too big of a jump right now.

Start with a paid small boutique and continue up the ladder towards BB as an associate

Array
 

If you've been there for 6 months and aren't getting paid, you need to go work somewhere else regardless. It's definitely possible to lateral to a better bank (the whole not having a pay stub thing won't hurt you) but you'll have to be a bit targeted when doing it. I'd aim for other boutique or small, reputable places that have similar capabilities to where you current are (for example, if you focus on M&A then shoot for a larger M&A firm). You're going to have to hustle and network a fair amount, but you can make it happen.

 

I have networked a fair amount and hope things will open up sooner than later. I am in M&A focused shop right, are MM banks like HW/Lincoln doable?

 

I definitely think those types of firms are doable with that background. I think people care significantly more about experience and not really whether you were paid or not for it. People may have questions surrounding that but it's experience that matters. The issue with lateraling to those firms is they tend to be very opportunistic with those types of hires so I suggest reaching out to some people at the big MM spots and starting to build a relationship.

 
Most Helpful

The fact that it's unpaid shouldn't really matter. HR will probably ask about comp expectations, which in that case you don't tell them that you are currently not being paid just what you would expect if they extend an offer. As you said going from a no-name boutique directly to BB is possible, I've know people to do it. A lot of the responses here seem to be saying go after MM or boutique, BB is a long shot. To put it bluntly they are all wrong. Go for what you want, BB, MM, whatever and if you don't have a preference then just send out your resume to any and every bank. Yes, getting into a GS,JPM or MS may be a bit more of a challenge but at the end of the day the worst they can say is no so it doesn't hurt to at least try if that is what you want.

 

You didn't respond to my question. Are you working for free for the demonic spawn named Justine Tobin?

 

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