Career help - to get a job!

Hi everyone, trying to help a friend here.

The scenario is: - UG from a decent university, non target, GPA >3.45, accounting/finance type degree - 1 year + in a good fund out of UG (think Fortress, Blackstone etc) in multi strat investing, in a range of asset classes. - Is proficient with research, analysis and financial modelling - Fast and good learner, absorbs knowledge like a sponge - Left the firm (situational) and now manages personal funds for about a year

So the friend wishes to get back to working in an IB, is fine with banking, research or investments globally, US, UK, Asia etc. The problem is research & investment requires 2-3 years of banking and banking requires 1 year min for analysts.

How would you advise the friend to land a banking role (like IBD, M&A, CM etc) which mostly requires 1 year experience? (investing and prop desk are unlikely since theres some hierarchy). I am not familiar with banking and it seemed circular when my friend told me about it (u need to be a 1 year banker to apply for banking). My friend is very driven and has great independent thinking and analysis abilities.

Any sincere help or suggestions will be well appreciated (especially any bankers or investors). No Trolls or bumps please.