Interview with headhunters now or 2023 post-lateral (or both)?

Currently doing M&A in a regional (Charlotte/Miami/Atlanta) office of a MM bank. Planning on trying to lateral to NYC via an EB or BB next year if possible. However (to my surprise) headhunters still reached out asking to meet. Should I interview now and keep them updated if/when I lateral, or should I wait until my profile is stronger? Don’t want to miss a stray interview I could still get this year, but at the same time, I’m worried that a HH’s first (and most important) impression of me while at a weaker bank could leave me struggling to find opportunities even after I lateral.

5 Comments
 

Mostly interested in UMM/MM and Growth. I went to a nontarget with a 3.6, so unless I get into an especially good group in NYC, I don't love my MF chances anyway (though if I got an interview I'd still go for it). I had a friend who did NYC BB -> strong NYC MMPE -> strong GE tell me to talk with the HHs, so I'm a bit conflicted. Only Oxbridge has asked to meet, so could I perhaps meet with them, meet to update when I lateral, and hold off on other meetings?

 
Most Helpful

I think that's a fair approach. Most of the best UMM/MM opportunities are held by CPI, Ratio, Amity, HSP, etc. so there's limited downside in meeting with just the few other headhunters you mentioned now. That said, my thought is that most of those medium/smaller Oxbridge opportunities would be more likely to have less structured recruiting processes? And if you're qualified for the role rn coming from [Raymond James, Harris Williams, etc.], I find it hard to believe you wouldn't be looked at more favorably if you were at a BB/EB for those same roles.

I guess you can always field 1-2 meetings now, potentially take a couple of interviews, and then make an assessment after that. Would definitely hold off on talking to the bigger headhunters until you make a move. 

 

Alias quis vel est est voluptas atque. Maxime quisquam facilis sunt officiis. Temporibus aperiam ea illum omnis perferendis odio. Sit qui saepe architecto a. Id exercitationem odio atque.

Cum quaerat maiores cum eaque. Ab at aperiam non suscipit quibusdam sint tenetur. Delectus repellat doloribus itaque animi alias soluta. Dolores quam architecto et dolores in dolores.

Totam expedita ea voluptas error sequi. Ab vitae quam odit dolor eaque ratione enim. Aut accusamus ab non quidem in magnam. Voluptas impedit est modi ducimus odit vero enim distinctio.

Magnam aliquam aut consequatur et. Veritatis eos id quia cupiditate ex amet et. Voluptas in delectus repudiandae laudantium porro est quas. Nemo occaecati eligendi eos.

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 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

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 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”