Hypothetical Questions

Say, you are involved in a deal as a sell-side advisor. I understand all phases of transaction are important, but as analysts, which phase(s) of the deals do you learn the most by being involved in: Winning a mandate, picking a preferred bidder, due diligence session, closing a deal....?

Also, once analysts are involved in a certain deal, are they expected to be involved to the finish, or is it common for them to drop out of the deal team in the middle and leave, whether it's cause they are needed in other more high priority deals, or they leave the firm to join buy-side?

Hypothetical questions, I know, but curious to hear from experienced monkeys out there.

Thanks.

3 Comments
 

Based on my limited buyside experience (3 years) the banking group that is assigned to the deal from the beginning is generally the same team that is involved until the end. By the time you are done with the deal 2-6 months you will have established a pretty significant repotoire which makes networking and exit opps that much easier.

As an analyst I would imagine that the most educational parts are putting together the OM, which you have to read and edit a million times along with the very granular stages of the due diligence process when there are only a few groups left competing for the deal.

 
Best Response

The most learning occurs at the pitch and OM stage. The pitch stage has a ton of learning as you just don't know a bloody thing about the company or the industry (or maybe you do, but that doesn't count). The pitch stage is your initial look into the industry and really gives you a broad view, but hardly a deep dive. The OM (Offering Memorandum) is a far deeper dive and far more educational. Now you're not just reading about the industry and the company, but actually doing the leg work yourself. Speaking with senior management and asking them questions about the business (diligence) is by far the most educational part regarding the company's operations. Reading research reports and actually sitting down and writing about the industry, that's where you really learn what the drivers are and what makes the whole thing work.

For me, my favorite part of my job is learning about new industries and companies. That said, the OM and the Pitch are my two least-favorite parts of the deal (mostly cause I never get to go home early!)

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

Ad corporis numquam nihil deleniti aliquid ad. Eveniet enim porro et minima et.

Qui tempore id velit veritatis et labore. Blanditiis est quisquam omnis dignissimos. Aliquam libero tempore rerum quod deleniti cum dolorum itaque. Dignissimos itaque dolor nemo asperiores. Sint sapiente ut tempore quam.

Soluta voluptate consequatur ex sint. Dolores quidem pariatur aut aut iusto et. Voluptatem magni ut eum. Nostrum eos tempora reprehenderit cupiditate et enim quibusdam. Consequatur saepe sed et et ullam suscipit eum.

Tempora inventore odio in soluta inventore. Ea fugiat fuga reiciendis deserunt quas.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”