Associate Vs. VP Title for IBD Recruitment

Hi all. On a throwaway account to preserve a little bit of anonymity.

I will be attending Columbia next year.

My background: 3 years at a MM investment bank as a generalist. 2 years at a tiny (sub 30) microboutique IB.

My question: I'm pretty much due for a VP promotion. This isn't a large firm or anything where it's a huge deal and responsiblities change etc. Simply a new fancy title, similar to a 3 person startup where everyone is director/head/ceo/etc.

HOWEVER, do I want this title for future IBD recruiting? Will it be a negative in any way? (Why does this VP want to join us as an associate?"

 
D. Gonsalves Salazar:

Most likely you will be recruited for an Associate role (most likely a second year, but some might even try to slot you into A1, but not stub).

Yeah - you will most likely have to take a step back when you move. Both headhunters and IBs will understand it.

 

I disagree with that, but sure. So does associate. I manage between 0 and 2, depending on how I choose to classify it.

The question is, my boutique will give me the title of VP or associate - which one do I want?

 
Sil:

Go with associate. Banks are so structured in their processes that they will have a problem shaking off the "he's a VP, but not really a VP" vibe. I ran into this issue while lateraling a few months ago. I worked at a boutique that called me "associate", but I went with "analyst" while lateraling.

Thanks Sil. That's what I'm afraid of. As an associate it seems like "OK, he got the MBA to lateral to a larger firm". Fair enough. Vs. "Why is a VP applying to associate positions?"
 

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