Lateral from Lower-BB to Elite Boutique

Thanks for taking the time to read.

I know several threads have been devoted to analysts making the move from MM to BB or no-name boutiques to BB, but I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts are on lateraling during your first year from a coverage group at a lower-BB (DB/Citi/Barclays) to an M&A group at an elite boutqiue (LAZ/EVR/GHL).

How would making this kind of move affect buy-side recruiting? Clearly the latter shops generally have more luck in placement in PE, but would this hold true for an analyst lateral? How would the head hunters perceive such a move, assuming that you already have a good amount of deal experience?

I appreciate any insight that anyone is willing to share. Feel free to PM me if that's more appropriate.

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Hoping to get a bit more insight on this. How do headhunters / buyside shops perceive FT analyst laterals? Would such a move meaningfully affect PE recruiting?

 
xcontrarianxHoping to get a bit more insight on this. How do headhunters / buyside shops perceive FT analyst laterals? Would such a move meaningfully affect PE recruiting?

You'll be grouped in a completely different pool of candidates. Yes it will meaningfully affect your recruiting prospects but all for the better. Make sure you can clearly voice to headhunters why you make the move and realize that this is a question you will be asked in every interview you have in the next decade.

 
ricottacheese
xcontrarianxHoping to get a bit more insight on this. How do headhunters / buyside shops perceive FT analyst laterals? Would such a move meaningfully affect PE recruiting?

You'll be grouped in a completely different pool of candidates. Yes it will meaningfully affect your recruiting prospects but all for the better. Make sure you can clearly voice to headhunters why you make the move and realize that this is a question you will be asked in every interview you have in the next decade.

Could you elaborate a bit on being grouped differently than other candidates? It would seem that being set aside from the main pool of PE recruits would be a negative more than a positive. I'm definitely prepared to explain the rationale behind my decision, but I wanted to get a bit more comfort around the fact that switching really will increase my chances of landing a buyside job with everyone else in my class.

 

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