Small Boutique to BB/EB advice (London)
Hi guys,
I started a few months ago as A1 in a London TMT boutique (think Arma Partners but not as big and operating mainly on smaller deals). I want to eventually work long term at an EB or BB (ideally in TMT) and am wondering what is the best way to go about this from my position? My background is target uni with a 1st class but no masters and an SA at a tier 2 bank.
Is following every target companies careers portal and applying for open (non graduate) analyst positions the best strategy? Should I try to move to MM then to an EB/BB given my company probably has too little prestige for them? In terms of target companies in this regard, any insight into strong MM TMT players in Europe would be great (im thinking Arma, Jefferies, Blair, HSBC etc.)
I found cold messaging an ineffective strategy as a student but is this the main way to move companies in a professional setting? Also, is applying for BB Off-Cycle roles a viable strategy or am I locked out as I have a job already?
Given that I'm only a few months in, is working here for a year then a Masters in Finance a viable strategy for another grad app season? I am basically completely unfamilar with how to source jobs from a non student perspective and I would really appreciate some advice from people who have been in my position before and have climbed this seemingly impossible hill.
Thanks
I’m guessing something along the lines of GP Bull, Results, Momentum?
In the UK, moving is a bit easier. You need to show great deal experience which is actually not that difficult at these type of places if you are good and throw yourself into things. My recommendation would be to do 12/18 months there then move to a solid MM. Again a few years there as a top performer with good experience and you can move on again.
Also FWIW I’m in TMT M&A -10 years in now in the mid market, having started in accountancy. Did have the option to go bigger but personally made the choice not too.
Point more being, I do think I know what I’m talking about!
Yeah those companies and deal sizes are about right. What do you think would be solid MM targets to move to for the Europe and UK market? Didn't have the option to start bigger unfortunately had some BB and tier 2 Bank interviews but blew them. In terms of top performance what would you characterise as great deal experience? Is that in terms of volume, size, complexity etc.
Sorry-writing on the phone and struggling to properly reply.
The strong TMT MMs in the UK at the moment I would say are GCA (have Manchester well sowed up) Oakley, Raymond James, Lincoln and of course Arma and Rothschild (cut above the others). Jefferies is a bit more pan European but are doing well e.g just did Citation to KKR.
To be a top performer at your level, it doesn’t matter about deal size etc. It’s all about showing you we by re all over it, the go to person etc. (again relative for your level). The associate was too busy, no worries you stepped in to chat through some obscure questions on their financial plan. You wrote sections of the IM, you came up with an obsecure potential buyer. The more experience the better you will sound in an interview-no one cares about deal size, the associates are thinking “amazing this person knows more than I do about this-let’s hire him so he can help me out”
That makes sense. In terms of actually moving jobs around this market in London is it mostly done through networking in or applying for vacancies when they show up?
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