8 Comments
 

What matters most when you start out your career is the experience and not the salary. Get two years under your belt and learn as much possible. You are lucky to start out in that position given your background. :)

 
Best Response

I was in a similar situation when I got an offer with the firm I am currently with (asset allocation advisory and first job out of college). I received another offer with much better salary two days before I started. I called the MD at my office and told him I really wanted to work at his firm but this other offer was 10k more and asked him to match it. He did. That simple.

Depending how long you've been there, I would start interviewing other buy side firms - timing is key so I would start interviewing a month before you know they will really need you. Walk into your MD's office and start by saying how much you love working there/respect him, you're grateful for the opportunity, blah blah blah, then ask for a match.

This really works well at larger firms. Smaller firms might match (or not), but then will see you as unloyal.

Buy side is really where the money is at long term. You could go to sell side and make more money now, but you'll be another salmon swimming upstream after bus. school. With a non traditional background its gonna be that much harder.

Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.
 

I mean yeah, you are underpaid. But I don't think by that much. Smaller shop, south central US location. You are getting carry which isn't common at your level. I'd get the experience, hope for a decent bonus and then shop around in a year or two.

 

I think experience at this point is more important than Salary.

After two years, any idea where he could go from here? Would he search for an associate position... or just analyst at a better paying fund?

I'm not too sure.. But I'd like to think that there's a healthy market for young people with PE experience. You should be able to find a new gig.

Can anyone confirm or deny my assumption?

 
handullzBut I'd like to think that there's a healthy market for young people with PE experience. You should be able to find a new gig.
I wouldn't call it a healthy market per se. Not to mention any market that is available will be filled with headhunters and b-school grads.

Wouldn't he most likely he'd hop to a senior analyst-esque position ("Experienced Analyst"? Not sure if buyside matches the sellside titles...) and then be promoted to Associate after a year?

Disclaimer: all from hearsay from friends; never worked in buyside :(

Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)
 
chicandtoughness handullz:

But I'd like to think that there's a healthy market for young people with PE experience. You should be able to find a new gig.

I wouldn't call it a healthy market per se. Not to mention any market that is available will be filled with headhunters and b-school grads.

Wouldn't he most likely he'd hop to a senior analyst-esque position ("Experienced Analyst"? Not sure if buyside matches the sellside titles...) and then be promoted to Associate after a year?

Disclaimer: all from hearsay from friends; never worked in buyside :(

Ok.. I see what you're saying.

Seems like Business School would be the next best thing for him.

Hopefully he can get promoted to an associate position before b-school, then.

 

Minima est et voluptatem itaque facilis. Quisquam est voluptas enim nisi a nam id. Suscipit vero ratione commodi officiis soluta autem quos ratione.

Nihil aut est alias praesentium sed. Vel molestias ad vero nesciunt. Sed ut est sequi suscipit est in ut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 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

May 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

May 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

May 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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”