Associate lateraling to a top EB (CVP/PJT/EVR) from a top BB (GS/JP/MS)
Curious about the lateral process for a post-MBA associate moving from a top group (TMT, M&A) at a top BB (GS/JP/MS) to one of the top EBs (CVP, PJT, EVR). How hard is it to make the jump at this level from one of these top groups? Do these opportunities come around often, or are they more of a “right place, right time” kind of thing? Also, what’s the suggested timeline for starting the process (2nd year or 3rd year associate)? Would love to hear from anyone who’s made this move or has insights into how it works.
Congrats on EVR
he's at the BB now congrats on ESL
He's obviously making a fake post to hype up EVR by grouping it with the likes of CVP and PJT (~4bn average deal size btw vs EVR's 2bn)
Curious to know why you wanna make the jump, considering you're at a top group in a top BB. Comp? Deal reps?
Honestly not rocket science... better pay + experience. Friend of mine from b-school made the jump from the "highly desired" GS TMT that everyone raves about here to go work at one of CVP/EVR/PJT. His experience has been miles better so far (though still sweaty).
Post-MBA, GS/MS/JP brand name honestly doesn't matter that much. You should already have a brand name by going, ideally, to a top b-school so you can flash that. Everyone in the finance industry that is relevant knows that for eg CVP or PJT are more selective than these top BBs so you won't get discounted.
GS TMT at the associate level doesn't have the same wow factor. It's filled with diversity MBAs or internal transfers from random GS units. Beyond me why would anyone consider that over a top EB as an IB associate
Better pay after a couple of years at a top BB is definitely a big reason. Starting at a top group in a top BB seemed like the right move to give my resume that extra boost (especially if I decide to exit the industry down the line) while also building a solid foundation with strong deal reps. I’d like to make the switch to an EB at some point, so I’m curious to hear how easy it might be from my position. I went to a top 10 MBA, so I don’t have that flash factor from my school alone.
Have you ever met anyone that lateraled from EB to GS/MS? Or is it just a one way street
Is his experience better just because of pay or does he like additional responsibilities / WLB is better?
For those questioning the rationale… it’s a fairly obvious decision. The boutiques pay astronomically better, the difference is much larger than I initially expected. And the BBs (not just GS TMT) are filled with DEI MBA associates who don’t know what the hell they’re doing. The boutiques don’t have this problem, either because they’re private or because they are more sought after and therefore get the quality DEI candidates.
GS TMT (and FIG also) is filled with diversity MBA associates. I'm at a different group, but it was honestly shocking to hear some of the stories about the incompetence of these summer associates. Funny thing is that almost all of them got return offers. Go figure out
When you say that boutiques pay better, can you please give an example with numbers?
A lot of luck is involved here (ie are there any openings, etc). For what it's worth, I heard ppl landing FT offers (MBA) at PJT M&A after doing their summer at a non-IB role (afaik not nepo hires).
Also a BB post-MBA associate. I imagine it's got to be possible. That being said, the reverse is actually quite difficult based on anecdotes I've heard. Even from a pretty strong EB.
BS. Folks from average MM are constantly getting spots at GS, MS, JP. I'd imagine it shouldn't be hard to pivot to a top BB from a top EB (no one really does it, but whatever)
Why is that? Aren't EBs more selective than BBs (even top ones)?
During my years at BofA, I saw a number of associates and VPs leave for Evercore, CVP, PWP, Moelis, Lazard, etc. — so it is definitely possible, especially if coming from GS/MS/JPM. Recruiters from almost all the EBs including PJT/CVP also hit me up during my ASO years asking if I would like to lateral/go through their interview process but I wasn’t interested.
Just make sure to connect with headhunters and have your LinkedIn turned onto “open to work” so that only recruiters can see the setting and you should get plenty of inbounds once the hiring market picks up.
Going from BB to EB makes total sense if you plan to stay in IB for the short-term and are just looking to rake in as much $$ as possible. I think it is harder to make your way up through the ranks at an EB though. Most EBs recruit very seasoned senior bankers from BBs who have established books of business vs promoting ppl to MD / partner from within. This is not the same business model as a place like Goldman where very few senior bankers are hired from other banks and most have been at the firm for 20 years or more, starting as analysts / associates.
All in all, just depends what your long-term goals are.
To each their own but this screams a short term money play. Better experience is hella group dependent. Will say its definitely easier to make it to MD at the BBs mentioned if you want to be a career banker.
how hard is it to go from a top EB (CVP/EVR/PJT) to top BB (GS/MS/JPM)?
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