Thoughts on Lateraling Within First Month for Experienced Associate?

Starting soon at Bank A after getting laid off from my old bank. I was recently invited to interview at Bank B (applied there before I applied to Bank A). I would rather work at Bank B, but what's the view on leaving Bank A soon after starting? Obviously would burn bridges with Bank A, but Bank B would be a step up from Bank A.

I'm an A2A associate so getting 6 months - 1 year of work experience isn't a concern to me. Wanted to see what others thought about this situation. Thanks!

5 Comments
 

For what it’s worth I’m in the exact same situation as you and basically reconciled that it’s better to just stick it out with my current offer for 6 months than burn bridges for marginal opportunity. Moving to a bigger shop especially when the market recovers will always be an option but I totally get where you are coming from on wanting to look out for yourself.

 

Thanks for your input. In my case Bank A is LMM/MM and Bank B is a strong BB. Are you planning on moving to another bank after ~6 months or do you think you'll re-evaluate at the 6 month mark?

Edit: Also I would imagine that banks would rather you quit earlier so they can hire someone immediately instead of 6 months down the road after you've been staffed on projects? 

 

FWIW - if there is that major of a difference in size of bank, why would burning bridges at Bank A matter if there are likely no overlaps in working relationships (unless you know for a fact there are personal ties between groups)? Obviously would not make any decisions without an offer letter in hand, but I don’t see the harm if those relationships won’t come back to haunt you in the next 1-2 years (Bank A won’t remember an A2A even flaked on them in 3 years, and if they would then that’s not somewhere you want to be anyways). Dog eat dog world

 
Most Helpful

I would go through the interview process with bank B. If you get an offer, just take it as long as it’s a group that makes sense and you’re excited about. Lmm or mm to strong BB is a significant jump in brand, deal experience, exit opps, etc. It’s a no brainer unless you’re going from a strong MM coverage or m&a group into like a dcm or pubfin group.

 

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