Associate to VP

I would like to hear about people's experiences of moving from an associate to a VP level on the investment side of RE, and any advice they could share on how they did this. I'm sure the common message would be networking, but what other recommendations would you make? It seems like the leap isn't straightforward, because you go from more of an analytical role to one where you're responsible for bringing in deals, and building relationships. There also seems to be a much larger amount of Analyst/Associate level jobs advertised or available versus VP, which is a limiting factor.

13 Comments
 
Best Response

I know it's not a helpful answer, but it's a true one: it varies so much from company to company and market to market and whatever other variables you want to throw in there that it's very hard to give you a concrete answer.

Basically, you 1) get promoted or 2) apply to or network into an opening at another company

There are less postings because a lot of companies promote from within and also because there are less VP-level positions in general.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

I think OP is looking for answers on being promoted at the same company (or perhaps, what does one bring to the table to be hired somewhere else as a VP).

The short version is that one should to be able to convince others he/she is an expert in the market/niche. Analytical skills are a prerequisite, but to move past number crunching one should work on presentation skills and spend more time networking with bankers, lawyers, consultants, etc.

Relevant links from WSO:

http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/5-ways-to-get-internally-promoted-t…

http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/how-to-make-vp-in-private-equity

Fill the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds of run. - Kipling
 

Is it weird I think I would do better at the VP/MD levels which is client-relationship based instead of the Analyst/Associate roles.

"It is better to have a friendship based on business, than a business based on friendship." - Rockefeller. "Live fast, die hard. Leave a good looking body." - Navy SEAL
 
UTDFinanceGuy

Is it weird I think I would do better at the VP/MD levels which is client-relationship based instead of the Analyst/Associate roles.

Yeah like, all they do is go to fancy dinners and play golf, right?
 
"prospie"
UTDFinanceGuy: Is it weird I think I would do better at the VP/MD levels which is client-relationship based instead of the Analyst/Associate roles.

Yeah like, all they do is go to fancy dinners and play golf, right?

I'm much better at having dinner than closing deals, I should probably be running a pretty big shop. right?

 

I don't think it is weird you feel that way. Since higher level positions often require more finely honed soft skills along with the knowledge and experience to deal with novel professional situations, as opposed to technical wherewithal and reporting abilities that an analyst usually calls upon, it makes sense that most people, being social creatures, would feel that way. However, consider what you have to lose. Being a "face of the company", and representing the firm as a whole, comes with the tremendous responsibility of never screwing up. You must be a professional every living second that you are representing your firm. At an analyst level, a low-quality report will most likely be audited by your manager before it has the chance to do any real damage.

 

Corrupti saepe ad quisquam aut praesentium quis. Ullam excepturi numquam est est molestias quis. Omnis omnis magni sint expedita facere.

Nihil porro non sed ab. Tenetur nihil sit itaque fuga. Voluptates neque non aspernatur expedita aut sunt. Ea ut deleniti cupiditate rerum saepe nam.

Dolor id dolorum quam hic amet. Est commodi sed sit mollitia. Alias nisi et sint occaecati beatae facere omnis.

Sequi aut doloribus quos ullam consequatur et. Eos maxime quam temporibus consectetur optio voluptatum officiis. Velit quis quisquam nostrum in eos id. Ipsam quasi qui sed quam dolore alias. Voluptas consequatur voluptas totam ad voluptas non.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”