What would you do if your only FT offer was LMM M&A? Need advice

Hi guys,

Currently holding a FT return offer from a LMM IB boutique. Interned there this last summer and was one of the first employees.

Deal flow is incredible, in the summer I worked on a handful of live deals as well as some pitching. I even managed to originate a deal (25m EV). But my concerns are:

  1. Not a strong brand name
  2. Lesser modelling experience (most deals are done on precedents, although I did do a fair bit of 3 statement forecasting)
  3. I’m based in London and quite concerned about the difficulty of lateraling from LMM to MM IB
  4. Pay is below street

How would you guys advise I plan my career from this point? I was considering working for a few years then doing an MBA in US/try my best to lateral into MM.

Another option is to re-recruit for SA (have striked out of most opportunities this year) by cold-emailing boutique shops -> do an MSc Finance -> recruit for SA/FT roles at larger-cap IB.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Feel like I’ve let myself down by striking out of recruiting this year (which from feedback has been sounding too robotic/not getting along too good with the interviewer in my interviews)

7 Comments
 

My alternative is to do a MSc Finance at a target (which I have lined up but it’s very expensive). Of course I would take it if my only alternative is unemployment, I’m not that naive lol

 

My alternative is to do a MSc Finance at a target (which I have lined up but it’s very expensive). Of course I would take it if my only alternative is unemployment, I’m not that naive lol

I'd say M&A experience trumps a MSF even at a target. You can go M7 MBA after this experience. MSFs are overrated. 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some strategies and advice for your situation:

Concerns and Career Planning:

  1. Brand Name:

    • Networking: Leverage your current position to build a strong network. Attend industry events, connect with alumni, and seek mentorship from senior professionals.
    • Headhunters: Engage with headhunters who specialize in lateral moves. They can help you transition to a more prominent firm.
  2. Modelling Experience:

    • Self-Study: Enhance your modelling skills through self-study. There are numerous online courses and resources available to improve your technical skills.
    • Projects: Take on additional projects or side work that require more complex modelling to build your experience.
  3. Lateraling from LMM to MM IB:

    • Cold Emailing: Reach out to boutique shops and MM firms through cold emailing. Highlight your deal experience and willingness to learn.
    • Internal Moves: If your current firm has any connections or partnerships with larger firms, explore internal moves or secondments.
  4. Pay Below Street:

    • Negotiation: If possible, negotiate your salary based on your contributions and deal origination.
    • Side Gigs: Consider side gigs or freelance work in finance to supplement your income.

Career Path Options:

  1. Work for a Few Years, then MBA:

    • Experience: Gain as much experience as possible in your current role. Focus on deal origination, client management, and technical skills.
    • MBA: An MBA from a top US school can significantly boost your career prospects. It can help you transition to a larger firm or a different role within finance.
  2. Re-recruit for SA, then MSc Finance:

    • Cold Emailing for SA: Continue to cold email boutique shops for summer analyst positions. Use your current experience to strengthen your applications.
    • MSc Finance: Pursuing an MSc in Finance can provide additional technical skills and networking opportunities. It can also make you a more competitive candidate for larger IB roles.

Additional Tips:

  • Feedback: Work on the feedback you received about sounding too robotic in interviews. Practice with mock interviews and focus on building rapport with interviewers.
  • Stay Positive: Remember that career paths are not always linear. Use your current position as a stepping stone and continuously seek opportunities for growth and learning.

By following these strategies, you can effectively plan your career and work towards your long-term goals in investment banking.

Sources: PE Lateral Recruiting Advice/Stories/Help?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/private-equity/just-broke-into-ib-as-a-lateral-how-do-plan-my-move-to-pe?customgpt=1, Lateral hire from another consulting firm to MBB, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/private-equity/going-from-mm-investment-bank-to-mega-fund?customgpt=1, Overwhelmed here, words of wisdom would help

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

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