Moving from East Coast to West Coast
First year analyst about to start working at a top tech group at a BB in New York. Being originally from the West Coast, I was wondering how difficult it is to exit into PE on the West Coast. Given that I'm working in NYC, will I be contacted only by recruiters looking to fill east coast positions? I'm specifically interested in working at a tech-focused private equity firms (Silverlake, Francisco Partners, Vista Equity, etc.) or possibly a growth equity fund in SF.
Recruiting for west coast positions is very possible. Most of the top recruiters have employees that focus on different cities, so even if you initially meet someone in-person in NY who focuses on NY opportunities, they can easily put you in touch with someone from their west coast team. Given your situation, it is very important you start speaking with recruiters early in the process. Essentially, that means you should actually respond when those mass emails start coming around in November/December to set up preliminary meetings/phone calls. Don't wait for them to send follow-up emails in January before making contact. Make it very early on that you are committed to the west coast. A lot of shops on the west coast have well-established recruiting pools that are also on the west coast (e.g., former IB analysts who worked in SF groups) but that doesn't mean candidates from NY do not get a fair shake. Making your interests and reasons for the move known to recruiters early on will help ensure you are considered during the prime recruiting period, rather than after shops have already taken a first wave or two at interviewing local candidates.
I faced a similar process while recruiting for private equity (working IB in a different city than where I wanted to end up). Happy to answer any additional questions you may have.
Post by @GreekRX" is spot on. Specifically, firms like those names you mentioned have recruiters that target both NY and SF bulge brackets, and even will have a day of first round interviews in NYC a lot of the time. You're totally fine, just stay on top of things with headhunters and crush it in IBD and you'll be in good shape.
West coast opportunities after 2 years on East Coast (Originally Posted: 02/07/2008)
Hello,
I am currently an analyst in NYC at a lower BB (Think UBS, CS, DB). I am at an industry group and I was wondering what can I do after my first 2 or 3 years are over, as far as West Coast opportunities are concerned. How hard would it be for someone to move to West Coast, working for a good boutique or a mid market PE shop? How should one approach the process? Thanks a lot for any responses!
You should have no problem transferring to LA. IBD experience in NYC is #1 (at least in this country unless you're a tech banker in SF).
I have opportunities for you.
email me at [email protected]
www.rycap.com
You should have no problem getting interviews in any part of the country. My advice (as far as private equity is concerned) is stick to the big three - CPI, SG Partners, Oxbridge. They are usually on retainer with all the larger mid market and large cap shops and run a fairly organized process on behalf of their clients (so shops without an HR department can funnel candidates easily). A few people I know used places like Glocap, Search One or Dynamix...all with terrible results.
Good advice GameTheory - this thread marked for 2 years from now when I'll be in the same situation.
Stick to the big three and you should have no problems. I know a few people who have made the East to West Coast switch, all using one of the three.
Wtf are you thinking trying to leave Manhattan? Idiot.
If you're moving to the west coast, you're moving alone.
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