RX Consulting to RX Banking lateral move - take an analyst role at a smaller EB or go for associate at a larger EB?

Fellow apes, help me out here:

I'm currently recruiting for a prestigious RX EB where I would get exposure to run deals essentially by myself. Given the exposure and wanting to make a good first impression, I'm considering taking the demotion back down to Analyst at this bank (currently an Associate in RX consulting). I know I should put my pride aside... but I understand how much of a grind the Analyst role is and would like to keep my title.

Do you think it's worthwhile waiting for larger EBs (Evercore, PJT, Lazard, Moelis, etc.) openings at the Associate level, even though I would have less exposure technically since their deal teams are deeper?

For context, I have a VP at a top-tier EB telling me to shoot for an Associate (their bank not hiring at the moment), but their bank has deep deal teams and recruits MBA Associates, whereas the smaller EB I'm interviewing with does not (only undergrad recruiting, likes home grown associates due to deal exposure).

Thoughts?

3 Comments
 

If it's an Analyst 3 position I think that's fine. I will say that there is a lot of demand for senior analysts right now in RX though, more than junior associates, especially for those who can hit the ground running (i.e. build a recap / liquidity model, write term sheets, summarize credit docs etc.). As a senior analyst right now you'll probably be able to run most of the analysis anyways

 

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