Lateraling after 1.5 years as an analyst

Currently in a few lateral interview processes, mostly with firms that are more established than the boutique I’m working in. For people who have lateraled at the almost 2 year mark - did you join as an analyst 2 or were you able to join as an analyst 3? How do groups determine this? 
 

Thank you 

14 Comments
 

Really just depends on the group, where they’re looking to hire and their gauge of your ability and experience. I’ve seen some people who had to repeat a year which is more common when moving upstream

Have also seen people progress regularly if their prior experiences align with the new role. Did the hiring team give any clarity on what level they’re looking to bring people on at? 

 

Once you get an offer, clarify with the person reaching out about the level they would bring you on at. If you’re moving to a much more established platform, you should be able to convey that you have the experience to function as an analyst 3 and eventually associate by year end. Otherwise they may have you be an analyst 2 (which would be less ideal, but gives you more opportunities to recruit for buyside roles). 

 

Why not move once you get your an2 bonus? Teams were generally flexible with start dates, as they usually expect most of their a2 class to leave for buyside in the summer. That way you would have already done 2 analyst years and gotten paid so you could join your next group as an analyst 3 

 

Good idea - was thinking of that as well. It sounds like firms are generally flexible with start dates, but was mainly wondering if people ever have 2 years of experience but join the new team as an analyst 2

 

I just went through this. For banks of the same caliber (i.e. BB -> BB), I was offered as an A2 up for promotion to Associate in the Summer and another bank offered me as an A3 with Associate promotion in the following Winter. Despite one bank having an A3, both provided the same timeline to VP.

Coming from a BB, one MM offered me as an Associate 1 with a normal timeline to VP (i.e. I would do 3 years as an Associate and be eligible for VP promotion). The MM does not do A3.

 

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