Can I return to IBD after 2 year gap?
Hello, I'm looking to break back into IBD after a 2 year break. Here's my background:
Was an IBD Associate with almost 5 years experience and on track for the VP promotion. Got a job offer as a growth strategy VP for a pretty cool company, decided to try something new so accepted it.
However, I've now realised I hate my job in strategy and want to break back into the world of IBD.
The problem, it's been 2 years since I left IBD and I've forgotten literally everything.. accounting.. financial modelling.. transaction process... CIMs.. pfffft not a clue.
I've forgotten it all and I'm not sure how I can break back in. I'm a VP with 7 years experience so I feel I should be going back into IBD at the VP level.. but given I've forgotten everything I feel my skillset is only to the level of a first year analyst..
Also not sure how I can get an interview when my current role is not relevant, as a growth strategy VP it's completely different, it's not like corporate development where it overlaps a little... all i do is research into what new products we should make and think about how we can make them
Hey there! It's never too late to swing back to the IBD jungle, but it's going to take some work. Here's what I suggest:
Refresh Your Skills: You might feel like you've forgotten everything, but trust me, it's all still in there somewhere. You just need to dust off those skills. Consider taking a refresher course or two. The WSO Academy has some great resources, including the Investment Banking Prep course.
Network: Reach out to your old contacts in the industry. Let them know you're interested in returning and ask for their advice. They might even know of some openings.
Tailor Your Resume: Highlight the transferable skills from your current role. Even if it's not directly related, I'm sure you've gained some valuable experience that could be applicable in an IBD role.
Practice: Brush up on your interview skills. The WSO Networking Guide could be a great resource for this.
Be Honest: In your interviews, be upfront about why you left and why you want to return. Show them that you're committed and ready to hit the ground running.
Remember, it's not about where you've been, it's about where you're going. Good luck!
Sources: Is it possible to come back after being laid off?, Getting an MBA and coming back to IB, Two-Year Sabbatical/Break from PE
My $0.02 based on likely outcome and not deal-crazed 2021 anecdote where someone's friend was able to swing back into an EB with a promotion after traveling for 12 months:
Given how shitty the hiring market is right now, you may have to crawl your way back in through a small boutique or "lower ranked" MM (Stifel, Truist, Stephens) and it'd likely be as a senior associate at best. There may be a boutique out there willing to take you in as a VP but then you may also find yourself stuck if you want to lateral up once hiring improves since most larger banks typically don't give full credit to boutique titles (depends on the boutique but I'm referring to your average small bank that doesn't punch above its weight in a specific sector). It may be prudent to not rush into a VP title in that case assuming you don't want to stay in LMM banking forever. I would of course not even joke with people you network or interview with that you forgot most of the job though (may be obvious but some people have a tendency to demonstrate humbleness that's just shooting themselves in the foot).
Even so, you'll be competing against people who have done nothing but deals since finishing school and pulled the layoff straw this year so need to make sure your story and message is clear and deal knowledge/technicals don't have inexcusable gaps.
Good luck brother.
Are there any industry focused boutiques in the area that you worked? I find that they place more value on doing a stint in industry than say a BB coverage group would.
If you can bring mandates it will definitely help. Even if you didn’t have a gap I presume most would consider any past and future potential production of lateral candidates. This move is more prevalent in MM and boutiques doing smaller deal sizes.
Bro, it will be a long shot especially you weren't a VP before you left banking.
They may just offer you an asso 3 position and the worst part is you won't be promoted if you cannot catch up in a few months time.
personal opinion - if you forgot everything including your past deals, experience, no chance, even at senior associate.
At best, you can go in as an associate and hide with the other fresh MBA associates, but during the interviews, the MD/senior will snuff you out by asking you about your deals and if you can't talk about deal dynamics or term sheet negotiation/structuring, there's little to no chance at VP unless you can bring in a network or contacts for a mandate. even if you do come in as a senior associate/VP, you'll immediately be under fire if they realise you need a lot of hand holding.
all the best.
Others have already provided good advice on how to get back in the game so I won’t reiterate all of that. My only push for you would be to ask if you’ve really forgotten everything. I think it’s easy to feel like that but our brains don’t easily forget what they spent 5 years of 80-100 hour weeks on. I’d say give yourself a week or two to jsut heads down review and see if stuff comes back to you because I suspect it might.
Year is almost over. Target Associate 2 level next year. Start with your old bank. You’ll get paid $400K+ anyway. No chance at VP. Even Associate 3 is risky with limited window to be proven out. Plus nobody wants Associate 3 (most groups have enough VPs). Getting caught up on title for a year is the wrong way to look at it if you want to survive long term or want $ (smaller banks that give you title won’t pay).
yes you can, why tf would you? I'm never going back to this shit industry
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