Move from boutique PE to top tier BB

Hi guys, has anyone ever done the above?

I have an interview coming up at top tier BB (MS/JP/GS) (natural resources team) and they are looking to hire someone from the buyside.

Quick background - did internship in BB (generalist role), full time offer in a boutique PE after undegrad covering coal industry for a specific country market for 2 years and now considering moving back to BB.

Reason: disillusioned by PE - screened tons of deals in 2 years but only closed 1 deal. Attracted to BB due to higher deal traction in Asia + coal sector is bearish.

I wanted to see what you guys think of my response to 'why apply to us?' question

- Great dealflow traction in a small team of currently 1 analyst supporting 3 senior bankers hence more exposure to execution (4-5 active deals currently in a small natural resources team)

- Wider coverage of sector (they are covering non-coal sector as well), & geography coverage (instead of just focusing on a country)

3 Comments
 

if they wouldn't consider you for FT, they wouldn't have given you an interview.

“Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be”
 
nontargetPSD92if they wouldn't consider you for FT, they wouldn't have given you an interview.

yes you are right. In fact I'm lucky enough to get this interview at all.

Just wondering if you would have any suggestion how I should best present myself forward for the job? I am sure they will ask why move back to banking....

 
Best Response

Dolor perferendis aut culpa asperiores. Eum possimus eos modi aut dignissimos tempore reprehenderit unde.

Alias assumenda perspiciatis aut deleniti. Rerum consequuntur quasi nihil facere dolorem dolorem libero. Accusantium aut suscipit quasi sint voluptas ut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Ardian 98.9%
  • Blackstone Group 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (351) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”