Typical Length as an Analyst before promotion?

I am currently going on my 3rd-Year as an analyst for a debt side lender (Almost to year 2 at my current company), however, I keep getting plastered by recruiters who only want me for their analyst positions and we have had two other younger analysts move to a new companies for mainly the same role. I am not that interested in leaving my current company (pay and compensation is good) to go back to the bottom of the totem pole. But I will admit that the work gets a little dull (the repetitiveness of entering deals, etc) but overall I like the job and path. I do expect to probably be promoted soonish (~1.5 years) and am just curious what other's trajectories were.

I am just curious as to what everyone's experience was with being an analyst, specifically, how long have/were you an analyst before being promoted to something other than Analyst? Maybe more specifics to help others could be...

  • what industry you work in?
    -Length spent as an analyst (including Sr. Analyst)
    -What you were promoted too
    -Location and Company size
    -Other details you think are important.

Basically, what I am trying to gather is how long someone can expect to be analyst before they are promoted to a non-analyst role. I realize that it all depends on the specific industry/sector.

 

When I started out at a brokerage shop, I was an analyst for +/- 2 years, then a senior analyst for 1. But I was basically doing associate level work but just didn't have the title. Then had the option to get promoted internally or go to the buyside. Ended up choosing buyside gig but would have been associate/senior associate/AVP title. This was at one of the larger shops (CB/JLL/ES/etc.). CRE is a little different since it really depends on the individual team makeup and how top/bottom heavy it is. I think a reasonable time-frame to expect though is 2-3 years.

"Who am I? I'm the guy that does his job. You must be the other guy."
 

I have the same story. I was a brokerage analyst for 2 years, then got promoted to associate. I was there for a total of three years. If I stayed for another year I would definitely be a VP because I was a top performer. I was at a fairly large well-known boutique shop (5 associates, 20 people or so total on my team specifically). After my third year though I took an associate offer at a REPE.

 

If you are looking at life companies, figure being an analyst for around 3 years (several of the big life cos have 3 year analyst programs and that is pretty par for the course).

At my last company, I moved every 2 to 2.5 years, but I was considered a "fast" promotion because I came in the door with several years of experience (I worked from 2007-2011 in RE, but not at a life co).

My new company would be minimum of 3 years. If you make sr. Analyst after 2 years, you will probably stay there for 2 years. Then I would suspect spending 3-years as an associate, making sr. Associate around 30. There are a lot of people in their early 30s that are AVP/Sr. Associate level and probably won't make director until closer to their 40s (figure 5 to 7 years to move).

Switching companies can get you there faster, but once you get past Sr. associate, it gets harder and harder to move.

 
Most Helpful

Something to remember is that real estate titles often don't mean anything. An "Analyst" can be someone with between 1-20 years of experience.

If you're trying to lateral or find a new role, you need to understand what that role actually is beyond what it's called.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

^ I agree with CRE Titles are for the most part pretty spot on. However they can definitely be subjective. Look at it the other way - what if a recruiter came to you with an Associate role and you were doing the same work, or less work than your current role/company? Would you move just because of the Associate title?

Also re: spots opening up at your current company that might bode well for you - I think at that point you'll know how your current company values you as an employee if they do/don't promote you.

 

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