Non-Target to BB/EB: How to Pivot After Generating $10M+ Deal Fees?

Hey everyone, long-time lurker here. I could use some tough love/advice on breaking into high finance. 
 

Background:

  • Non-target, 4.0 GPA

  • Location: Europe

  • Some internships across banks + 1 year at small-cap private equity + 2 years at a two-men boutique (my boss and myself) 

  • Closed a few cross-border M&A deals in the last 2 years (EV 500m - 1bn range), drove $10M+ in fees

  • As it's a two-men boutique, I do everything, which includes direct negotiation/structuring/closing the deal and having direct exposure to the Buyer/Sellers' decision-maker

  • Current comp: ~$150K all-in (base + bonus)
     

Problem:

  • Boss refuses to title-bump or profit-share (I’m a junior on paper)

  • 0 interviews after 50+ BB/EB apps (both Associate and Analyst)

  • Had resume polished + networked with retired MDs (they say my resume’s “sharp”)
     

Ask: Advice on how to break into the EB/BB 
 

9 Comments
 

Depends on how you see it ...
He is paying me a comp that is comparable to the Director salary at the large European bank that I previously worked in (I am in Europe, so the salary is much lower than US/UK)
I would have been making 1/2 of my current salary if I stay in the traditional path
Beside that I need this money to feed my family, so I can't just risk it

 

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