How to Enter into M&A?

Hey all,
So I've seen loads of forums on how to enter into IB, PWM, S&T, etc. I have yet to come across anything that specifically talks about how to market yourself and search for jobs in Mergers & Acquisitions.
As a rising junior student at a non-target (CC transferred to Pace's Lubin School of Business), how do I go about searching for specifically M&A jobs? And what networking opportunities should I be targeting to make the most of them?
Personal context: 24 y.o. with a 3.6 GPA and a resume with a couple years of business mgmt experience and just under a decade of hospitality, but no finance experience, living 45 min away from NYC (Greenwich/Stamford/Norwalk area of CT),

 

Just to clarify (as asked by LeonTree), I'm personally talking about Advisory. Greentech Capital Advisory in NYC is an example, though not necessarily that sector. I'm looking more for Health and Pharmaceuticals, but all advice is welcome!

"In order to make a man covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain." ― Dan Ariely
 

My man, I think you don't quite understand investment banking. Pulled up Greentech's annual report and the first sentence is "We are a different kind of investment bank. We are a global tribe of 50 people in Zurich, New York and San Francisco who have helped our clients close over 100 transactions. "

If the name is "Greentech Capital Advisory" or "PwC Corporate Finance" or "Insert Generic Name Partners", if their business model is taking a cut of an M&A transaction then you should be reading the forums on how to enter IB.

 

Sorry, I'm still learning so I guess I missed the trick on something. What other model is there for a company providing advisory services on M&A to make money? Is it simply the difference between taking a cut from a successful transaction, vs taking a fee regardless of the success of a deal? And how would I find which category a firm falls into? Is it generally on the company website? I used GCA as an example because a friend of mine works there, and his description of his job/day-to-day work is what I'm looking to do.

"In order to make a man covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain." ― Dan Ariely
 
amaiolo4:
I'm looking more for Health and Pharmaceuticals, but all advice is welcome!

I have known some people at Cowen who have focused on M&A Healthcare (past tense as they left - one went to McKinsey other JPM). I would say you'd have a very difficult time getting in there though, unless you knew someone.

So focus on getting 4.0s these next four semesters.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Most small Investment banks do almost solely sell-side M&A where they help a firm sell themselves to the top buyer. Some banks do buy-side M&A where they pitch companies for the larger corporation to acquire and help negotiate the large corporation through that process. That's what banking is. So to answer your question, to enter M&A go work at an investment bank...

 

Lol. Point taken, thank you Sketch. Is it safe to say that the banks who do both would primarily be BB banks?

"In order to make a man covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain." ― Dan Ariely
 
Most Helpful

As an entry level candidate, I would really keep my options open. I would rather say I am interested in consumer (insert whatever) sector and advising companies on raising funds.

That could possibly open doors for 1) all consumer sector focused work - i.e. advisory, business development, corporate strategy, equity research, coverage group, M&A, ECM, or 2) not within the sector but same function group.

What would you do if a friend can refer you to Goldman Sachs but doing ECM. Would you turn it down just because you are focused on M&A? What would you do Google calls you and ask you to be a part of their Corporate Strategy team?

I wouldn't pigeon-hole myself early in my career search. The joke that I used to hear was a kid calling a major big bank and said, "Sir, I would like to join Cross-border M&A with China". There was no such desk at that time for that bank.

 

Corrupti perspiciatis hic dolorum. Saepe atque sequi dolore sint. Autem earum et non sed est id non exercitationem. Natus sed suscipit exercitationem cupiditate voluptas. Itaque tempore possimus amet aut saepe. Ad dolorem enim minima.

"In order to make a man covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain." ― Dan Ariely

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (85) $262
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (65) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (198) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (143) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
pudding's picture
pudding
98.8
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
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...”