How to refer to an Elite Boutique during interviews
If one is interviewing with an elite boutique (Evercore/Blackstone/Lazard), how should one refer to the firm?
If interviewing with a bulge bracket, the interviewee could say "You're one of the top bulge brackets and I like you because....". If one were to say "You're an elite boutique and I like you because...." there are several problems.
1: Using the word 'elite' makes you sound like a prestige whore. 2: Would using the word 'boutique' make the interviewer feel insulted? Evercore/Blackstone/Lazard isn't really a small 'boutique'.
All input is appreciated.
"Top boutique firm"?
Jesus christ, you should never use any of these terms. Even the term "bulge bracket" makes you sound like a prestige whore / knob that obviously didn't do your homework. I would never hire anyone who uses any of those terms in a formal interview. Do you honestly think anyone that works there refers to it as a "bulge bracket" unless they're trying to be ambiguous?
Just say something like "leading boutique firm" or "leading advisory firm" or something like that.
Global Independent Advisory Firm
I just got out of an info session with one of these and this is correct.
This. When I worked at an EVR/GHL/CV, that's what we would refer to ourselves as. No one uses "elite boutique" or even really "boutique"
Top advisory firm
"Leading advisory firm" seems like it would always be correct. Would "leading boutique firm" have any negative connotations for some firms?
Independent Advisory Shop/Firm is a good way to go
Start debating with them over tiers and rankings, your initiative and drive will impress them.
Refer to them as a "E"-"B". Tell them you have heard exit ops might be better than a "B"-"B" and you want to make sure you end up at a "M"-"F". They will know what you are talking about.
Do banks get offended when you refer them as MM or boutique banks? (Originally Posted: 09/21/2011)
Don't know if this is a dumb question or not, but yeah do banks get offended if you refer to them as MM or boutique? I had an interview with a boutique bank the other day and I froze a little because I didn't want to refer to them as boutique bank. I'm sure they know they're a boutique bank, but is it just better to avoid saying it at all costs?
They all know, some embrace the fact. I wouldn't worry about it.
In my experience, MMs don't care as they're pretty open about it as a rev-generating strategy. If you just look at a firm like HW or HLHZ's website they're pretty outspoken about being MM.
On the other hand, what we refer to as "Elite Boutiques" do not always appreciate the boutique moniker. If you tell someone at Evr or Laz that they're a boutique, they'll roll their eyes and tell you they have offices in every developed and emerging market around the globe, offer a huge array of services, are publicly traded, and have multiple thousands of people on the payroll. To senior bankers at the shop, boutique implies a lack of resources that would give a BB or MM an advantage, so it's not always seen positively.
Exactly, it depends on the bank just like any other company branding themselves. HW's website clearly defines them as a MM firm, but others are less conspicuous. If you're not sure, I would ask an analyst how the company sees itself, the business strategy, and target size of deals... answers to these questions will make it more clear. Also, boutique is not necessarily pejorative, but if it implies that a firm has limited other capabilities then that's where it can become offensive.
I wouldn't mention the fact that Lazard is a boutique to someone at Lazard. That's all I can tell you from first hand experience.
I would say call it a pure-advisory shop, but the top boutiques aren't really...
They always care. Never call a shop a boutique or middle-market. I said it to a bank last year and the dude went off on me. Needless to say I did not recieve a SA offer.
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