Moving from MM to Small Boutique?
So here's the backstory:
Currently working at a MM boutique that seems to be struggling quite a bit. I've been here since the summer and have yet to work on a live deal because my group doesn't really have anything going on. I feel as though I have not really learned anything since all I really do is put pitch books together and that I have no VP or Associate in my group (just me and an MD)
I recently found an opportunity to interview with a very small boutique (about 4 or 5 people) that focuses on Healthcare M&A. I'd be the only analyst in the group. When speaking to the MD, he mentioned that they have closed about 6 or 7 deals this year. Does it seem like it would make sense to switch to this smaller bank if I ultimately want to go into PE or a HF?
My biggest concern is that I do not have a lot of M&A / Modeling experience and think there would be too much pressure as the only Analyst in the new group (with no associate here either). The MD also mentioned that they just recently let the old analyst go as he didn't "fit in" with the group.
What do you guys think?
Interested to hear as well.
u interviewing on the 14th or 16th?
What's to stop you from sourcing shit? If there's no real work to be done, hit the phones man. Small shops are cool, but you gotta understand that they can close their doors at any moment and then you're SOL.
Why not try and help a related group do a live deal?
There is a lack of deals all around
What's the level that your MM boutique is currently on right now? In all honesty, if you do decide to switch, switch to a BB or a good boutique. Headhunters are not even going to look at you more than 10 secs if you don't have the brand name on your resume. There are a lot demand for buyside jobs right now, even a lot BB guys can't find anything.
If it's a decent name, you can definitely practice modeling by yourself by going through some training programs and start doing quick and simple modeling in preparation for the buyside interviews.
One other bad thing about smaller shop is that, as others have said, they can just as easily "let you go" like the last analyst or decide to not pay you anything or even close the doors
Lateral to another MM shop, yes? No one really has to know if you haven't seen too many deals because you really just have to spin your resume the right way. Typically, people are angling for better companies, pay, or long term position: unless you left something out, it sounds like you'd be losing on all three fronts by jumping.
If your MM firm has a good enough name, then going to a small boutique may make sense for your situation. The issue with a small shop is that it is hard to qualify whether or not a candidate is credible because they haven't worked anywhere legit. If you are already at a well known firm, you already have that check mark on your resume, and what you need is actual deal execution experience.
I work for a small firm, and I'd wager that I've worked on as many or more live/closed deals since the start of this whole mess in '08 than most people at BBs. At the small end of the market there are always deals getting done, regardless of market conditions. Compensation is certainly lower, but it's not as bad as some of the other posters are making it out to be. Just be sure that you have a clear understanding of how much they are expecting to pay you and what you are going to be judged on when it comes to bonuses. Try to get your compensation number (even with a qualifier) written into your offer letter.
My two cents - if you feel like your modeling skills are not up to par, the first thing you should do is pick up a book on financial modeling (Investment Banking by Rosenbaum and Pearl is a good place to start) and read it at night or whenever you can fit in a few pages. That way, regardless of where you end up you'll have the skills necessary to succeed at your job. As an analyst, you don't have much control over your live deal experience, but you can improve your Excel skills on your own at any time.
I work at a small firm and deal flow is unpredictable. Just because the healthcare M&A shop closed six or seven deals this year in no way guaranties they will do the same in 2012. We went from a rather slow year in 2010 to an incredibly busy year in 2011, despite M&A advisory being sluggish at most firms. That said, if your current firm's deal flow has been slow for several years, it may not hurt to look around for a better opportunity to gain experience and hone your skills. Be aware, however, that you'll likely be asked why you're looking to jump ship after half a year at your current gig. From my experience, boutiques seem to hold loyalty in high regard.
Hmm.. The vibe I am getting in this thread is that boutiques are hit-or-miss or even not that impressive.
If a boutique is the only way you can/are going to get your foot in the door, you (I) should probably take it regardless, correct? The one I've got a final round interview with on Friday is a 15ish man shop averaging about 5-7 tombstones a year for the past 6 years (in biz since 1987) with an average size of $20-100mm.
This would be a no-brainer decision for a non-target with no IBD internships if I get the position, correct?
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