27M | Corp Finance → FP&A | Laid off & Unemployed 3 Months | Studying CFA Level 1 | Want to Pivot to IB/PE/Corp Dev — What Should I Do?
Hi everyone — I could really use some honest guidance here.
I’m a 27M based in Southern California with a bachelor’s in finance from a non-target school. My background includes:
- 2 years and 9 months in Corporate Finance at a large manufacturing company (Fortune 500)
- 7 months as a Senior Financial Analyst in FP&A at a top 10 Asset Management firm (think Capital Group, PIMCO, etc.)
Unfortunately, I was let go due to “performance issues” — nothing malicious, but I didn’t meet the expectations of my manager. This happened at the end of March, so I’ve been unemployed for 3 months (resume shows 4 months). I’ve since committed to studying full time for CFA Level 1, which I plan to take in August.
My goal is to transition into an investment firm, ideally in Private Equity, Investment Banking, or Corporate Development, and eventually work my way into a high-income role — targeting $300K+ base + bonus within the next 5 years. I know I’m aiming high, but I’m serious about the effort and long-term trajectory — I just need help figuring out the smartest way to get there.
So far, I’ve:
- Applied to hundreds of roles across PE, IB, Corp Dev, Credit, etc.
- Cold-messaged hiring managers and professionals on LinkedIn related to those roles (with tailored messages)
- Had a few final rounds, but still no offers
Now I’m at a crossroads:
- Should I stay unemployed and continue studying full time + applying to investment-side roles?
- Or should I take on contract or temp work to avoid a growing resume gap?
- If I go the contract route, what kind of roles would still keep me aligned with my long-term goals and not “dilute” my investment-focused narrative?
I’m trying to stay grounded and realistic, but I’d be lying if I said the situation isn’t starting to wear on me. I’d really appreciate any advice — whether from people who’ve made a similar pivot, hiring managers, recruiters, or anyone who's seen this path play out from either side.
TL;DR:
27M | Non-target B.S. Finance | 2y9m Corp Finance + 7m FP&A | Laid off | Unemployed 3 months
Studying CFA Level 1 (Aug) full time
Applied to hundreds of roles + cold DMs on LinkedIn
Goal: IB/PE/Corp Dev → $300K+ base + bonus within 5 years
Looking for advice: Keep job hunting while unemployed or take temp/contract work? If so, what kind?
Happy to DM my resume or drop a link if anyone is open to reviewing it — appreciate any help.
There's a big difference between IB/PE and Corp Dev. For starters, you won't be getting to the comp range you posted within "5 years" in Corp Dev. Figure out what you want to do first.
Truthfully, I would like to eventually end up in IB, PE or Private Credit as a long-term Career goal. Given my Educational Background (not a target school or MBA), I figured from what I've read online and through others that Corp Dev could be that "intermediate" role that would help me get there. Applying to PE / IB roles have been an uphill battle that I don't believe I would win right now as I'm unemployed trying to get a entry role at an IB / PE firm.
If you don’t get an entry level IB role in the next year or two, prob not worth it unless you get an MBA. Do you really wanna be an analyst at 30?
Dude it’s good to be ambitious , but not to the extent where you make it inevitable that you’ll be dissapointed — 300k is a lot of money that the vast majority of the population will never come close to, and if they do, it will be in their 40s-50s.
Ya it’s true that IB/ PE can get you there but it’s hard dude. The world is competitive. Keep cranking and trying , I love your energy, but keep perspective
Signed a consultant who had a lot more privellege / pedigree than ya but had to crank endlessly to get into PE
In my opinion, your goals are very unrealistic if u couldn’t cut it in fp&a and now want to break into front office with an unemployment gap and no MBA. That said…maybe consider getting an MBA at a target school
You want to make $300k in 5-6 years? Ill keep it very very simple for you..
- Find a full time job in corp finance/FP&A/anything relevant to finance at a decent firm. If you think you can survive a job similar to the first one you spent ~3 years at, go get one. Just get a job that pays decent, is relevant to finance/FP&A, preferably a F500 but not a deal breaker. Tell recruiters you were let go because of internal restructuring and want to pivot back into a FP&A type role..
- Decide if you want to continue to study for CFA for this year or delay until next year. You are NOT studying for CFA to get a IB/PE job but only to make your candidacy attractive for a MBA path.
- Do your 9-5 drill at that job and then spend 2-3 hours on the side working on GMAT/CFA/retaking individual undergrad classes with bad grades/travel/etc.
- Aim for entering a T10 MBA program class of 2027-2029.. Ross/Marhsall/Darden/Fuqua or similar will get you to your goal
- Go for an IB Associate program at a EB/BB. First year comp should be close to ~$300K.
The above plan is simple and get you to your goal. What you are doing now by staying unemployed and “hoping” to get into IB/PE/PC will most likely not work and will also make you less attractive candidate for an MBA if you continue to walk this path. I have seen your previous post and honestly speaking your dont stand a chance in this market. Dont run away but towards any FP&A role to save your career now to get to where you want to be long term. Ofcourse anything is possible.
Best of luck
This is the way. Unfortunately it is very unlikely a PE/IB firm will hire you right now given the market is not too favorable to employees and you don’t have prior experience. Just too many other candidates that have much more relevant experience.
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