Question for actual bankers about changing jobs

Please only actual bankers respond.

Backdrop I work in a regional boutique in LA(for the past 9 months), pretty decent deal flow, get a lot of experience that many analysts wouldn't get because there is no one at the VP level, just MDs and then analysts and associates. However I'm not naive and realize that its not a BB or MM that anyone has really heard of. Graduated econ and history with a 3.2. I really want to move to San Francisco for no other reason that I think it would be an fun place to live, I've lived in LA my whole life and want a change of pace and experience city living.

Question Based upon my background how hard would it be to get another banking job in SF, I don't mind if its a BB, MM or Boutique, or even a hedge fund or PE for that matter, I just want to stay in finance. I plan on waiting until I have 1.5 to 2 years experience before attempting this move. Would it be hard to get a job at one of these shops in SF, or will my background provide me with a smooth transition? I wouldn't make the move unless I got a job at least as good as my current one. What do you guys think and what would be good strategies for making this happen?

3 Comments
 
Best Response

So what you are saying is that you will be a 3rd year analyst when you start looking for jobs in SF. Are you going to be looking for 3rd year positions at boutiques, or 1st year associate positions?

3rd year positions are hard to come by unless the firm fully intends to promote you to associate at the end of the year. Associate positions might be even harder to come by without an MBA, but boutiques might be more receptive to that, while a BB office may not be.

Either way, the two ways to go about this: contacts and headhunters. It's definitely possible, though.

 

Vitae architecto pariatur iure et sunt corrupti officia eos. Dolores eligendi consequatur optio quod quia. Dicta repellat consequuntur quisquam id rem expedita atque. Voluptatem animi fugit et consequatur delectus. Ullam assumenda praesentium quam et ullam accusamus pariatur.

Aut nihil exercitationem quo minus quos repellat est. Dolorum et est velit perspiciatis alias dicta.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
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...”