If I am an incoming analyst at JPM/BAML/CS in the respective Leveraged Finance Group. Do I have a good chance in attracting head hunters at Mega-Funds? Assuming semi-target state school, 3.75+ GPA, CFA Level 1 completed, and a 720+ gmat score. What else can I do to increase my odds for PE placement outside of getting extremely involved on any potential deals/projects?
Any advice is much appreciated!
| +89 | Nothing to do at work & bored to hell | 9 | 5h |
| +67 | Do people over-index on 'moats' | 20 | 1d |
| +51 | Predicted Net Worth in Trodden Finance Path by 60? | 20 | 5h |
| +44 | Biggest (avoidable) failures in PE Investments? | 24 | 2h |
| +38 | Why is ROIC never really a topic when looking at companies IRL | 11 | 3d |
| +26 | SGE Final Round (Investment Summer Analyst) - Case Study & Technicals? | 13 | 6d |
| +19 | Senior IR Lifestyle | 3 | 5d |
| +12 | How to approach Buyside Recruiting | 3 | 4d |
| +12 | Honest opinions needed about lateraling | 4 | 1d |
| +12 | NY LMM PE Recruiting | 3 | 23h |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Those LevFin groups place well. You'll do fine but focus on doing your job before you start thinking exits. Just perform, meet people around the bank and grind, and you'll be fine. LevFin is the only CapMarkets group that consistently places into PE and those are all really strong LevFin groups - BAML and JPM much more than CS which is definitely on the decline.
These are good groups, and you'll get some at-bats at the mega funds - not as many as your financial sponsors group peers, but still.
A few points additional here: - unfortunately, PE firms are even more concerned with academic pedigree than banks. So your state school background will hamper you far more than your IBD group / firm (even with good GPA, etc.) - working your ass off from day 1 is generally the best approach - for megafunds especially, networking has limited value. This can be frustrating compared to banking, where there were lots of ways your could improve your odds. Since the main PE recruiting process is so condensed, it's kind of a crap shoot
Would you recommend that I spend the summer working extremely hard, then trying to lateral into the Financial Sponsors group? I have seen a decent amount of people on Linkedin who have lateralled into either the LeveragedFinance or into the Financial Sponsors groups at Bulge Brackets. Thank-you, that was good advice!
You have to get the offer first. Being well liked in your group is probably the most important thing.
For megafund - for you, given state school background - I don't think sponsors vs. LevFin will be the deciding factor. A handful of folks with your background have made it from either group. I think the deciding factors were probably a mix of harder-to-discern intangibles: 1. How well liked in group / bank 2. Unknown personal connections / alumni connections 3. Modeling like a champ / knowing the finance cold 4. luck
Lets say you went to HYP and work at GS/MS but only have a 3.5 GPA.. is this going to be an issue for MF recruiting? Or if you perform well / have good recs / interview well you'll be fine?
In this case, group will be more important. 3.5 from HYP is enough of you're smart with standard prestige background.
If you're LevFin I'd target a legit credit HF over a mega fund
CS LevFin does all modeling while JPM and BAML is more market related. CS LevFin places well at Mega Funds in the private equity branches. BAML and JPM place well on the credit side of the mega funds since they do more market related stuff.
I'll shoot you a DM to get more of an elaboration. Thank you!
Amet optio quia fugiat nulla sint. Quae cupiditate ipsam eos ab earum consequatur.
Deserunt magni animi ut modi suscipit illo. Omnis voluptatem consequatur et corrupti architecto quam. Sit qui et atque praesentium et. Sed consequatur suscipit aut occaecati rerum incidunt.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...