How Long Should I Wait on the Desk to Lateral?

Hi,

Currently a first year analyst and started on the desk a couple of weeks ago. Was wondering if anyone have advice on how long I should wait before lateraling to another bank? I see opportunities of groups I want to lateral to popping up on job websites and am not sure when I should start applying for them. 

I feel like most former analysts at my bank or other banks lateral after 1 year, but have also seen some move after 3 months. 

I am also a bit concerned about my current group being pissed off and talking to the group I am applying to. (It's a small world) Does anyone have previous experience or thoughts? Thanks! 

9 Comments
 
Most Helpful

The general rule of thumb is to stay a year. I would say you can go as little as 9 months without it looking a bit fishy from the perspective of interviewers, and very frowned upon from the perspective of your current co-workers.

Anything sooner than that I think you should have a really strong rationale (i.e. your current firm is struggling, you’re changing the role of your job itself, etc.), not just to move to a somewhat better bank.

 

I have had few of my analyst class switch within 3-9+ months. I think it is really network-dependent for the guys that switched sooner and the hiring need. I would say feel free to start applying around 6 month mark. Obviously you will need to sound polished on the behavioral questions they would ask (why switch to us, this group, tell me about a deal, etc). Typically these processes can take 3-6 months unless its an immediate need.

 

Culpa sed necessitatibus magni dolorum. In voluptatem enim culpa ullam incidunt sed. Mollitia iusto tenetur molestiae similique sint rerum nam.

Et repudiandae ut sunt repellendus ea. Et quo dolores mollitia ea rerum cumque vel laudantium. Non sequi molestiae aliquam dolorem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 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

November 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

November 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

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”