How do you gauge Buyside Opps from a firm?
I'm an incoming SA (2025) and just starting to give a little thought to buyside opps. (I know I'm going to get a lot of flack - deservedly - but the game's the game at this point)
Obviously, I can look on Linkedin to get an idea of placements. But that only shows those who succeeded in landing an offer, not those who got HH outreach and didn't make it through a process. I can ask on WSO, but half the stuff I say on here is BS/sarcasm and I can only assume that it's the same for others.
My question is: How can I politely ask bankers/former bankers what the buyside recruiting experience looked like from my firm - and whether they would recommend I lateral to better my chances?
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some strategies to gauge buyside opportunities from your firm and how to approach bankers/former bankers about their experiences:
Strategies to Gauge Buyside Opportunities:
LinkedIn Analysis:
WSO Forums:
Direct Outreach:
How to Politely Ask Bankers/Former Bankers:
Networking:
Informational Interviews:
Specific Questions:
Professionalism:
Example Approach:
Email/Message Template:
Hi Name, I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am an incoming Summer Analyst at Firm. I am starting to explore buyside opportunities and would greatly appreciate any insights you could share about your experience with buyside recruiting from our firm. Specifically, I am interested in understanding the challenges and opportunities you encountered and whether you would recommend lateraling to another firm to enhance buyside prospects. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to any advice you can provide. Best regards, [Your Name]By following these strategies and maintaining a professional approach, you can gather valuable insights to better navigate your buyside recruiting journey.
Sources: PE Lateral Recruiting Advice/Stories/Help?, Lateraling Guide for Investment Banking, Best Practices for Finding Lateral Opportunities, 7 Practical Buyside Recruiting Tips for IBD Analysts, My Experience Recruiting as an Undergrad for Everything vs WSO Wisdom
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