Experienced Analyst, but COMPLETELY unable to break out
Been an analyst for over THREE years now, now at my second bank, but I hate it. Which isn't to say I'm not a hard worker, but I'm not getting any good experience, deals are few and far between - and extremely small when they do come - and I'm so far removed from the normal IB process that every day I stay here is actively hurting my chances of doing what I want to do in the long run (large cap PE).
I have had no luck with alumni, despite having reached out to dozens over the years. I have had no luck with recruiters; they just ignore my emails when I reach out. I have no network, I'm too old for everything, and I want to give up. My role has next to no technical involvement, and even buying/doing BIWS courses has left me feeling useless. I CANNOT go back to school; please do not suggest this.
What do I do? How do I network in this position? How do I prepare for if I ever do get an interview, which will probably have a case study I am woefully unprepared for? Mostly I don't even know how I'd get that interview at all. No one ever seems to respond these days when I reach out.
For the sake of my sanity, please do not tell me that I a)am too desperate (I realize that, thanks), b)am too old (ditto, but I know what I want to do), or c)should go back to school (cannot happen). I need to know how to fix this, not all the issues with trying which I am already extremely, painfully aware of.
You sound like a desperate, old person. Have you thought about just going back to school?
You're situation is slightly better than I thought. It sounds like you were in like a GS SLC type role which IMO is NOT transaction investment banking and I think you need to stop positioning it as so. It's a much better story to say you went from a support function to a real investment bank (even if lower middle market) then that you went down from a 'top BB IBD' role.
What probably needs changing is your attitude. You aren't being very resourceful.
How do you network without alums and headhunters? You email them, say you are in "x role at an investment bank" and are looking for "x,y,z". A lot of people will ignore you, some won't. Capitalize on the ones that will listen by having good reasoning and showing strong interest in what they do.
How do you frame your story? Again stop pretending like your first job was in a true IBD role, it sounds like it wasn't and will only make you look bad by trying to make it into that.
How do you prepare for technicals? This is the easiest one and I'll give you the same advice I give everyone. You read Rosenbaum (you can find a free link in seconds), you read the interview guides, and if you are really serious you pay the $200 or whatever it costs for Wallstreet prep or BIWS and you religiously watch the videos. These all take time and serious effort. You decide how badly you want it
Read my lateraling guide. That should answer several of your questions/concerns, especially the part where you have no technical experience.
The first thing I notice is that there seems to be something missing to your story. You left a top BB for a lower MM, which I would hope we can agree is quite bizarre, but you only disclose that once another poster asks. I might be wrong, and I hope I am, but what else is there? Are you being rude to these recruiters? Are you sending non-stop follow ups to bankers when you try to network? Did the BB fire you for terrible performance?
My suggestion would be to first read my lateraling guide and then buy the WSO resume review service. I used it when I lateraled, and it was 100% worth it. Then, start going over BIWS. Like I mention in my lateraling guide, use client financials and just stay late at work and build some models. Watching BIWS videos is great, but actually building the models is much better. Once you all that in order, start applying to IB positions. You don't need a recruiter to lateral.
And, I know you said not to point this out, but you really do sound very desperate. I was too when I first started my lateral process from a "no-name" boutique to a top MM, but that really hurt me in some interviews. Take a deep breath and try to change your attitude. Good luck.