Do hedge funds ever recruit post-MBA IB Associates?

Curious to hear thoughts of the HF recruiting process as someone who has a strong interest in markets and learning about different asset classes, but discovered this passion towards the end of my MBA program and after I had recruited for IB.

 

I know citadel hires some summer mbas from harvard. Pretty sure they only recruit from there tho.

 

lol definitely not true. Harvard kids interview at citadel to practice for better HF interviews, I don’t know anyone who seriously considered working there.

 

Idk about that sir...If you can make it at Citadel you’ll be more highly compensated than basically any other alternative. Now that’s a big IF but I wouldn’t say people just use Citadel as interview practice. What would it even be for? the Multi-Manager investing model is completely different than your traditional value single manager hedge funds like Tiger Cubs. Doing the rounds with Citadel won’t give you any edge at all in a process with Viking.

 

Hedge funds is a broad category. Hedge funds hire all kinds of people, from all kinds of path, if they demonstrate ability to add value/bring a skillset the team wants/make strong connections with the PMs. My HF experience is not bluechip Citadel type stuff tho, so if that is what you mean, its hard to say. That said, I got a Bridgewater interview with my weird background, so anything can happen.

Look at the alumni section of linkedin for your school - when I did this I saw several people who went e.g. MBA -> IB -> Millenium

 

Congrats on the success in recruiting!

Can you elaborate on the recruiting process as an IB Associate? I hear you either recruit and leave for the buyside right after your first year or shortly after the VP promotion, in hindsight would you say there is truth to this and do you have any recommendations for HF networking?

 
Most Helpful

Sorry for the delay. Most people start to recruit after their first year with the goal to leave in their second-year. If you wait longer, then you'll get caught up in the conundrum of leaving in your third year vs. getting sticking it out a bit longer to get promoted to VP.

In terms of HF networking advice, the best starting point is to leverage your affiliations. For most people, these are bschool or college alums and classmates who are in the industry. If you keep at it long enough, you'll see the results compound. I also got leads through the interview process itself, which was something I did not expect. For example, for one fund where I got rejected, the PM said that I was among the top 3 final candidates and then suggested that I look into some other funds and to use his name. For another fund where I received an offer, I did a reference check with an an ex-employee. After he heard that I had turned down the offer, he reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in being considered for a spot at his fund. In the end, the hardest part is the uncertainty of it all. For me, however, I was happy biding my time in M&A until I found the "right" opportunity.

 

Consequatur dolorem consequatur excepturi mollitia vel eveniet vel. Earum sed exercitationem laudantium eum nisi consectetur temporibus. Repellat repellendus aliquam qui voluptatem. Voluptate voluptatem aut voluptates quis praesentium. Omnis id ipsa odio expedita dolores.

Omnis qui sint est et sapiente cum. Doloremque beatae sed dolore animi iure omnis. Harum ab inventore enim voluptatem quasi. Ut amet quaerat quos maxime. Vel qui laborum fugiat voluptatem perferendis qui repellat. Earum animi nihil non nihil quia qui cupiditate.

Eligendi assumenda et ab sit odio esse earum est. Voluptates corporis rerum repudiandae aut quaerat quia molestiae. Est atque quia vitae. Autem reprehenderit esse enim corporis nemo ut quisquam. Excepturi ut autem ea quasi libero consectetur. Quia numquam aut magni iusto.

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (23) $474
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (6) $322
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (24) $287
  • Manager (4) $282
  • Engineer/Quant (71) $274
  • 2nd Year Associate (30) $251
  • 1st Year Associate (73) $190
  • Analysts (225) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (22) $131
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (250) $85

Leaderboard