JPM vs EB?

I recently secured an offer from JPM for a SA analyst role. I am anticipating this offer to amount to a FT offer after that summer.

I haven't worked in an IB yet, so I don't know what coverage or product group I will end up taking on. That said, I am wondering if I should try to leverage this offer into a super day/offer from an EB such as Evercore/Lazard/PW. What coverage/product groups at JPM would be better than, or more or less the same as, an analyst role at an EB – in terms of pay and prestige/exit opps?

I eventually want to go into PE and grad school for an MBA.

Open to all opinions. Thanks for all the help so far, WSO!

I’d try to leverage the JPM offer for a superday at Evercore, Lazard, PJT or Centerview if you’re interested in PE exit opps. If you have any negotiating leverage on groups at JPM, the top ones are M&A, Sponsors, Healthcare and C&R. I’d take Evercore over all of those groups though.

Otherwise if you get an offer at one of those EBs I’d take it and not look back - JPM group placement is such a toss-up (you can easily get placed in DCM, ECM, or Real Estate).

Centerview doesn't particularly appeal b/c of it's 3-year program. Isn't restructuring the only thing that is worth it at PJT? I'm sure there M&A is good, but aren't they primarily known for restructuring? Restructuring is beyond me at this point, and when I went to their info session, they were all douchebags

Is placement based more on a "courting" process at JPM? Like do you have to win over the people in, say, M&A to get into it?

Went through recruitment cycle recently but didn't get the offer. I think PJT pitch has always been that, following spin-off, all restructuring bankers and park hill people remain at the firm -> 2 top franchises intact.

Taubman purged M&A and rebuilt with a lot of new hires of formal group heads and division heads. They should be doing well.

Certainly all the other ones place, but Centerview with PE exit opps? They screen really hard to filter out people looking to do "two and out" and have pretty effective clawbacks in place for anyone who tries to leave. Also, just generally seems to be self-selecting pool for people who want to do banking long term.

Also can I ask where you got your JPM group info from?

If by JPM group info, you mean what I said in comments above, I got that from just reading other posts on WSO.

From reading other posts, sponsors places well. You're saying sponsors sucks for exit opps? Is that a recent development?

Also interested in this question. I'm in the exact opposite position from OP - have outstanding offers from a couple top EBs and considering whether it is 'worth it' to leverage these into getting offers at JPM/GS/MS or not.

I guess my question boils down to - would you rather take a general GS/JPM/MS offer and have a tossup in terms of group placement or go to a top EB (PJT, Evercore, Centerview, Lazard)? Would appreciate any advice

Most Helpful

Sure. (1) The interview process was happening near the end of the spring semester, so even getting through with JPM alone was time-consuming in terms of prep. (2) Creating more work, stress, and the possibility of exerting myself with no success by trying to leverage it into merely an interview seemed silly. (3) I told myself to shut tf up and stop being so greedy: this is no second tier or underdog firm; this is a BB so this was not the same complacency as settling on like greenhill. (4) I want to be part of a massive corporation at some point in my life b/c im curious as to how it works, what that name can do for me on my cv, and how many connects I can gain from it. So, why not accept take this now? I will eventually want to see the benefits of working at a smaller scale but elite shop, so when that opportunity falls in my lap, I'll take it. That said, the next goal is blackstone, bain, or something related

What if I had gotten an Evercore offer instead? The same logic applies - I would've taken that right away, too. In other words, don't be afraid of taking what you got rather than trying to leverage it into something else. If you did get both, then you'd have to pick one, you'd be pulling your hair out, and possibly later be wondering what if....

Edit: freaking typos

The boutique will probably provide a better route to PE in comparison with JPM. But I think JPM would be better to have on your resume in the long term. A bigger more known bulge bracket compared to the boutique that might end up like Greenhill (no offence).

What concert costs 45 cents? 50 Cent feat. Nickelback.

Vel nisi fugiat aut. Pariatur tempora voluptatem numquam unde iste. Excepturi voluptatem maiores praesentium hic dignissimos similique. Quo unde asperiores voluptatem libero.

Tempora dolor voluptas reiciendis aliquid repellat. Iusto voluptatem nisi sed et. Voluptatem odio et tempore quo. Libero tenetur dignissimos eaque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2023 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company (==) 99.6%
  • Lincoln International (==) 99.1%
  • Lazard Freres (++) 98.7%
  • William Blair 12 98.2%
  • Financial Technology Partners 02 97.8%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2023 Investment Banking

  • William Blair 04 99.6%
  • Lincoln International 11 99.1%
  • DC Advisory 05 98.7%
  • Canaccord Genuity 17 98.2%
  • Jefferies & Company 04 97.8%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2023 Investment Banking

  • Lincoln International 01 99.6%
  • Jefferies & Company 01 99.1%
  • Financial Technology Partners 07 98.7%
  • Lazard Freres 15 98.2%
  • UBS AG 16 97.8%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2023 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (6) $592
  • Vice President (33) $392
  • Associates (159) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $187
  • 2nd Year Analyst (100) $169
  • 1st Year Analyst (306) $167
  • Intern/Summer Associate (48) $167
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (224) $94
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...”

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...”