UK Lateral Scene

Wanted to get a clue into how lateral hiring works in the UK, i know in the US it is very much centred around networking but is it similar here in London? If bank X posts an Analyst/Asso role is applying to it without knowing/networking with people at bank X pointless?

Would appreciate if someone could walk me through their Lateral experience or a typical london lateral experience.

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Highly dependent on the type of bank you are applying to. Many banks use recruiters, either internal or external, which would not need any form of networking to get an interview, just a good CV. If you apply directly to the firm for say JPM, GS, MS, then of course having a contact helps you get an interview. However, have had interviews at 2/3 of them without any networking, just straight forward application. Ultimately, you don't need to network but it would definitely help.

 

Ok thanks for that. And is this current lateral market normal or pretty terrible? I know the amount of people laid off and hence applying is super high but is the amount of vacancies being posted lower than the "usual" as well? And typically when do these positions open in the year or is it across the year?

 

Current lateral market is fine, definitely not booming but seems to be plenty of spots open. The issue is the competition. Loads of layoffs plus a year of no available seats means that there is a significant backlog of people applying. So, pushing to a top tier bank (GS, JPM, MS) etc. will be hard unless coming from a second top tier bank, just because of how fierce the competition is currently. 

 

Very much a concentration of only the best CVs and biggest brand names being given any shot atm which is fair I suppose in this environment. Just hoping and praying the whole industry starts to pick up in H2.

 

Found myself in a couple of processes. As someone else posted, no networking required to get an interview.

However, competition is insane. I was in some processes that were meant to last a few rounds, but the rounds essentially doubled. Additionally, the bar is a lot higher (little space for marginal error in the interview itself or the tests).

For context, I’m currently still employed at my firm so not sure what the lateral experience is like for those that have been laid off.

 

At a PJT/Laz/Roths/EVR and deep into the process for 2 out of GS/MS/JPM, flat mate is at an MM and has a lateral offer for 1 of the aforementioned too. Lateral market isn't too bad right now.

 

Think you're situation echoes the market. Still hearing about lay offs at many places. Pretty dire compared to what people thought/expected it to be at the start of 2024. Probably an extreme concentration of BB/ex BB talent considered for lateral roles

 

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