A little background:
- I started my career as an analyst on a top investment sales team (billions closed annually) for two years. While grueling, it was just about the best training I could have asked for-- huge deal flow, complex and varied transactions, and got to build a good network.
-I was poached by a public REIT and have been doing acquisitions there for two years. I've closed a handful of deals and have found that the work on the buy side is very similar to the sell side; you just take it the extra mile through closing. Due to circumstances outside my control I need to find a new gig. I have found that I'm in a bit of a tweener spot with 4 years of experience, a large number of deals under my belt and total comp of $200k-- too experienced for many analyst/associate roles but a little too young for a VP role, firm depending.
-One option I may have is joining a different top investment sales team at the VP level. Comp would not be an issue. There are many things that appeal to me about the sell side: 1) working on on a large volume of deals, 2) working on a wide variety of deals, 3) building a great network, 4) being a master of the market (lots of intel), and 5) higher comp than the majority of buy side firms.
My concern is that if I think 5-7 years ahead, I do not see myself becoming a "producer". I'm a social person and would have no problem giving tours and debating with investors, but I don't think I have that business development personality. Not everyone has to be a producer; they still need senior people running deals and overseeing the process.
If 5 years from now (at 33) I decide I want to return to the buy side as an acquisitions person, do you think I'd have trouble? As I mentioned, I believe the work is really very similar but I acknowledge there seems to be a bias for people with buy side experience
If you decide to return to the buy side in 5 years, assuming you come in at a VP or higher level, wouldn't that mean you will pretty much be at a producer if you move through the ranks? Instead of searching to sell, you will need to search to buy. Similar skill set? Not sure your market, but I know in my market, the top investment sales teams have a few producers and the rest of the senior guys are execution. Effectively, your income is capped, but I'm sure they still do well.
I agree with pudding I was recently in a pretty similar situation to yourself. There are positions on the buy side that match your comp, experience, and career track, but you have to be patient to find the right one. It sounds like you don't have the luxury of time so why not jump on the best current opportunity whether that is on the buy or sell side and keep searching for your ideal job while you are gainfully employed.
It sounds like you really enjoy sell side work, which is great. Why not jump back into that?
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