4 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Hi - My suggestion would be to focus more on what you want to do longer-term vs focusing on near term compensation. If a pivot into what is a career that interests you, in a role that interests you, things like pay will sort themselves out over the longer term. Would note IB vs corporate are two different types of jobs / paths with puts and takes. Would also note that multiple near term pivots may create unnecessary noise around your path that you may need to explain later. To the extent you do move into the IB role yes lateral options / opportunities will be available to you. 

 

You're always going to have more options, a longer trajectory and get treated better if you're a top senior analyst vs. an average to below average associate. 

If you want to do this longer term, it's in your best interest to come in as an analyst which will give you much more runway to get to the next step.

Be honest with your skillset. If you're well ahead of the curve on the soft skill side (i.e., comfortable presenting in front of senior management and great at developing relationships with execs that are 20+ years older than you), by all means, push to be an associate. 

If you're strong technically but feel like you wouldn't know what to say if you were asked to lead a client meeting, you're doing yourself a huge disservice by pushing to come in above the analyst level.

I'm guessing if you're having this conversation and they have headcount at the associate level, their view is that you fit in the latter bucket, which is ok for now but will be something you'll need to work on. Don't let your ego destroy your career before it has even started. 

 

Praesentium sit necessitatibus consectetur ab reprehenderit voluptatem. Velit similique sequi quod voluptatem nihil et. Cumque id nihil dicta quaerat dolore omnis libero.

Animi at dolorem inventore at reprehenderit accusantium fuga. Animi debitis exercitationem deleniti distinctio porro laboriosam.

Iste et doloremque qui possimus nihil. Velit quo numquam voluptatem eos. Explicabo nulla cum vel qui reprehenderit.

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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”