Currently a 1st year analyst at a BB - how do I lateral to an EB?

Pretty much the question. Think low-tier BB in NY, not getting as much deal flow as I would like. People in my group are nice but exits to the buy-side are exclusive to just my sector and I've found that I just don't like it that much. Eyeing a switch to RX or just general M&A at an Evercore, Centerview, PJT, Lazard, Moelis.

I know everyone uses headhunters for the buy-side, but how do I network (and how early do I start?) Is it a function of grabbing coffee with someone (analyst, associate, VP)? I have friends at these boutiques but I figure a 2nd year analyst (separate question: will I keep my seniority in the move?) spot only opens up due to need. I also am not sure if open spots get posted widely on forums like LinkedIn, etc, for me to just "apply", per se.

Any tips would be appreciated. I am pretty risk-averse and not sure how to do this.

And if anyone's wondering why I want to keep doing IB:

  • I feel like I still have a lot more to learn, just I don't feel like I can learn it where I am
  • I eventually want to go to the buy-side, but just not within my group's sector

Why I don't want to graduate to a better BB, but move to an EB:

  • Most of my friends are at EBs and from what I can tell, it fits what I want from my IB experience a lot better (more autonomy, tight-knit culture, more interaction with key decision makers)
 
Most Helpful

Your best bet is to reach out to any friends or contacts at the EBs. Ad-hoc / off-cycle analyst roles (especially when a group is understaffed and needs junior capacity asap) are typically filled through referrals or at least the process will start with referrals before considering "cold" applicants.. You can also try reaching out to the HR recruiting coordinators at the various EBs (they are easy to find). Headhunters are rarely used at the analyst level

Re: your question on timing - start now so you're top of mind if/when a process commences.

May be tough for you to lateral to a RX group with no prior credit experience, but M&A should be do-able and happens all the time

 

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