Lateral Recruiting Process

Hey WSO,

I've been using this site since I was an undergrad and I've always found it to be a source of great advice. I am currently working at a middle market investment bank as an M&A Analyst. I like my group and the work that I’m doing, but I am looking to lateral for the following reasons:

I think in order to transition to the buy side I need to break into a larger bank, or a very well-known boutique. My current shop has a relatively low volume of live deal flow, certainly compared to a bulge bracket. Additionally, the bank I work for does not promote internally within the M&A group, so after three years I would be forced to leave.

I am looking for some insight into the lateral recruiting process. For those who have made a lateral move as an Analyst, did you use headhunters, apply through a company website, utilize networking events, employ other methods? I’m also considering a move to a hedge fund as an Equity Analyst. For those who have experience in that regard, I would welcome your thoughts.

I look forward to hearing your nuggets of wisdom.

9 Comments
 

particularly interested in the details of the interviewing process. specifically, how the technicals compare to something you would see coming from an OCR interview.

 
Best Response
MJK

As far as I know--note I know only one or two people in this situation, so my sample size could be incredibly not-representative.

Same I only know of two, but have heard anecdotally of a couple others. All got reset as first years. However, these were all MM(RJ/SunTrust/PJ) or no-name boutiques. Perhaps if you were coming from someplace like Baird/Blair/Jefferies it would be different?

Idk, does anybody else have any insight?

 

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