Associate hire in BB

Might be a dumb question, but I really need some inputs. I know fresh MBAs are a major pool for banks to hire their new associates, internal promoted analysts is another. I wonder do banks really hire associates from other sources?

I got my master degree the end of 2007 and started working in a prop trading shop since then. The firm is decent however I think the cultrue in the small group doesn't fit me very well and decide to look for a position in a BB to start over. Given my working experience, I think an associate position would be a good fit. But I have the concern BBs don't hire new associates except for new MBAs. I have missed the application cycle for 2010, so I'm thinking to wait for another several months and apply for the positions for 2011 from their website. Do I have a chance? I'm talking about positions in trading.

Thanks in advance.

5 Comments
 
Best Response

They take lateral hires (experienced hires on the banks website). Your best (and really only option) is to use any contact you have at a specific bank. Use old HS or college friends. Gain access to your college's (undergrad and masters) alumni database which lists their employer and job description (every college has one). The good news is that you are an experienced trader, so it should be relatively easy to switch as opposed to someone who does not trade. If you went to a non-target school or do not have contacts than getting an MBA is your best bet (you may have to leave the MasFin off your resume, too many questions would be asked, but do your own research on this). Also, if you have contact at the bank you don't need to wait to contact people as lateral hires can be interviewed/brought on whenever and is usually pretty group specific.

Also, where/what was your masters degree?

"Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."
 
Gekko21They take lateral hires (experienced hires on the banks website). Your best (and really only option) is to use any contact you have at a specific bank. Use old HS or college friends. Gain access to your college's (undergrad and masters) alumni database which lists their employer and job description (every college has one). The good news is that you are an experienced trader, so it should be relatively easy to switch as opposed to someone who does not trade. If you went to a non-target school or do not have contacts than getting an MBA is your best bet (you may have to leave the MasFin off your resume, too many questions would be asked, but do your own research on this). Also, if you have contact at the bank you don't need to wait to contact people as lateral hires can be interviewed/brought on whenever and is usually pretty group specific.

Also, where/what was your masters degree?

I'm in the same spot as the OP. I have about 5 years of work experience total, currently at a small hedge fund working for a group that trades equity pairs using a stat arb strategy. But I don't have a quant background.

From talking to people, it seems like banks really aren't hiring traders right now except campus recruits and very senior people. I'm considering reapplying to MBA programs this year because if I can get into a place like uchicago or columbia, I think getting a BB trading job would be almost guaranteed.

 

Thanks for your comment, Gekko. I think it's a good suggestion to contact the existing network. Back to my original question, so I guess from what you said the answer is 'no'?

As for my background, I got my master in science from a non ivy but yet pretty decent (top 3 public) school in US, although personally I don't think where you go to school counts as much for experienced candidates as it does for fresh graduates, maybe I am wrong. I also considered lateral hires, but I am deeply frustrated, since normally lateral hires require more experiences, i.e. AVP to director level (5-7 yrs) and I still consider myself a junior level candidate and don't think I'm qualified for that. And that's exactly why I raised my original question at the first place.

Finally, if that's true that MBAs have a better chance, may i ask why? No offense, but personally I really can't see for a trading role why a fresh MBA has any edge over someone already with 2 yrs experiences in this business.

--------------------------- 道无常稽,与时张弛
 

Vel qui perferendis eos rerum error sint ut. Placeat inventore quam vel omnis reiciendis nam ea. Aliquam nesciunt nihil repellat ut officiis ullam sunt. Ipsa reprehenderit deleniti voluptate adipisci. Nihil unde non rerum debitis praesentium deleniti saepe. Non minima quis quos doloribus explicabo ut. Culpa dolorum voluptatum cumque officiis omnis voluptas neque.

Rerum quas voluptas nihil autem sint veritatis. Et magnam recusandae voluptate quisquam. Eligendi reiciendis qui ullam. Sed aliquid culpa natus eveniet voluptatibus dicta iure et.

Sunt quo repellendus ad eos placeat sunt doloribus qui. Commodi consequatur dolore enim porro eligendi. Odit deserunt voluptas soluta sint tempora. Aut numquam nulla sint id.

Et eum ad nobis dolore accusamus illo. Dolorum distinctio ullam vero sapiente enim maxime. Aut quia odio nesciunt modi omnis aut. Qui error ratione ad qui accusantium.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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

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...”