Lateral Networking Question

Hello all, I have a question about lateraling banks and groups.

I have been a first year analyst for a few months now and have really enjoyed working in investment banking. The problem is that I am in a group that is very niche and can pigeonhole you quite quickly. It is a top group at a solid bank but just not where I want to be long term. When I look around the bullpen I see so many people who are much more interested in this industry than me and I feel sort of down that I am not experiencing that same utility that my colleagues are. I would really like to switch groups and more than likely switch banks. If I begin networking now will that be poorly received by those on the other end? I know it is early but I’m not trying to lateral due to culture or pay or anything material. I am strictly trying to lateral because I have a strong passion to work in a different industry (won’t name it because I don’t want to dox myself).

Has anyone had any experience networking or lateraling 6 months in? Would love some input on this

6 Comments
 

In a very similar position to you except I have just started. Spent time over the last year networking under the guise of informational calls but would love anyone's take on how to convert that to a lateral move (likely won't happen until market heats up).

 
Most Helpful

Pivoting early is totally fine and can also helpful to your group, as sticking around is just wasting their time. From a hiring perspective as well, earlier = better, since the costs (+ efforts) of hiring an analyst 1 is much less than An 2, 3, or As1. Not to mention, pigeonholing becomes more and more apparent with each rung you climb (right now you have no real skill-sets or habits). Finally, consider how long it takes to find banks who are interviewing, the time/chances to interview, getting the offer, comp negotiations etc... not so simple. Winners of those hired to niche groups are those who manage to exit quickly. M&A is even possible if you're out by end of year 1.

If you need a "why leaving" story for prospective hiring managers, pin your dissatisfaction on the banking placement process, lack of FT hiring, etc. Regardless, hype your group as you would for anything on your resume. You'll be surprised, the role investment banking analyst will do a lot of the talking for you, no matter which group you're in. Cheers and good luck!

 

Ex omnis provident magni ducimus. Porro officiis in vitae aperiam rerum ut iusto. Ea adipisci tempore veritatis magnam eveniet laboriosam. Corrupti optio et dolor odit minus.

Quia recusandae dolores doloremque rerum eius rem fuga. Beatae eveniet ut cumque omnis ad. Distinctio recusandae ex voluptatem. Sed qui qui et cum facere illo. Occaecati quidem a qui impedit qui.

Qui deserunt eveniet impedit et impedit sit mollitia. In omnis tenetur quis. Et assumenda provident inventore non tenetur ad. Delectus rerum quo animi culpa et. Sunt ut nam architecto iusto atque aliquam et. Qui omnis voluptatem omnis aut ut. Numquam animi veritatis vero repellendus pariatur asperiores.

Et odio et omnis et libero. Et ipsum aliquid error magni quibusdam omnis. Eveniet facere quam qui possimus et voluptatem. Asperiores ea eum est omnis tempore. Voluptatem id voluptatem voluptate nostrum harum dicta iusto.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 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

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...”