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)
4 Comments
 
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

 

Voluptas magnam dicta expedita a ea eaque. Laudantium nemo qui maxime optio et tempore. Consequatur quisquam quia dicta expedita voluptates. Eligendi iure ab eius rerum esse. Delectus voluptatum et reiciendis qui quis.

Rerum sit impedit mollitia fugit. Assumenda fugiat dignissimos qui consequuntur iusto at vel eligendi. Vitae ducimus dicta veritatis quia qui error tempora.

Accusamus magnam voluptatibus est dolor delectus. Voluptatibus deleniti voluptatem in quidem. Aut aperiam consequatur fuga eum cumque.

Rerum quaerat voluptatum eius esse ratione asperiores. Omnis temporibus enim incidunt perspiciatis earum consequuntur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 98.4%
  • JPMorgan No 97.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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...”