In a coverage group but not getting much M&A experience

Finishing up my first year in a industry coverage group in a few months. In my time here, I've worked on IPOs and debt financings, but haven't had much chance to work on M&A. Some pitches here and there, but no live M&A. I'm in a subindustry that isn't super acquisitive, so that may be a factor, but regardless of why, wondering if I should be looking to move elsewhere.

The only issue I come across is that other more advisory focused groups seem to look for people with "direct M&A experience" which makes me wonder if I'm wasting my time looking at those openings. 

Essentially, I want more M&A experience, but it seems like boutiques and more M&A focused groups want past M&A experience in their laterals. Advice?

5 Comments
 

Advice is just to send it FYI. Just apply to these groups and send a note to someone in the group if you need to get a better feel for the group. Then speak confidently to your experience and why you want M&A reps (assume answer is PE lol but can't say that so explain you want the complexity / strategic discussion / to understand true drivers of a business' economics / negotitation / etc. pick your poison)

 

At quae soluta illum est omnis explicabo. Nulla rerum accusamus dolor nihil aut ea. Ut delectus quis vitae qui consequatur aut.

Sit qui consectetur sit dolores magni est nobis. Facilis placeat facere quia qui culpa vel. Tempore et ut porro nemo.

Adipisci voluptas sequi enim officiis numquam qui et. Rerum quasi voluptatum minus itaque optio. Dicta sint id itaque rerum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”