Advice Needed - Going from Small shop to Institutional

I'm currently an analyst at a very small investment/development shop and want some advice on making the jump to somewhere more institutional. I have 3 years of experience post college, 2 at my current shop. I think my experience is fairly good, company is small but i've worked on some pretty serious deals. Went to a good undergrad but not an ivy or equivalent.

I actually really like the job and my team, but they pay is extremely low and it's in very high COL area - so i want to make the jump to somewhere more institutional to get paid.

Any general advice from those who have made the leap? Is it worth it to use headhunters or recruiters? Should i wait for the economy to improve before I start applying?

2 Comments
 

It will be tough to get a worthwhile headhunter to help you at your experience level. I made a similar jump when i had 3 years of experience, it was so worth it (comp, network, deal volume, etc.).

I would just scan the job postings and send out emails/intros. Institutional shops value people that have real deal experience beyond research and number crunching.

 
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