Question for actual bankers about changing jobs

Please only actual bankers respond.

Backdrop
I work in a regional boutique in LA(for the past 9 months), pretty decent deal flow, get a lot of experience that many analysts wouldn't get because there is no one at the VP level, just MDs and then analysts and associates. However I'm not naive and realize that its not a BB or MM that anyone has really heard of. Graduated econ and history with a 3.2. I really want to move to San Francisco for no other reason that I think it would be an fun place to live, I've lived in LA my whole life and want a change of pace and experience city living.

Question
Based upon my background how hard would it be to get another banking job in SF, I don't mind if its a BB, MM or Boutique, or even a hedge fund or PE for that matter, I just want to stay in finance. I plan on waiting until I have 1.5 to 2 years experience before attempting this move. Would it be hard to get a job at one of these shops in SF, or will my background provide me with a smooth transition? I wouldn't make the move unless I got a job at least as good as my current one. What do you guys think and what would be good strategies for making this happen?

 
Best Response

So what you are saying is that you will be a 3rd year analyst when you start looking for jobs in SF. Are you going to be looking for 3rd year positions at boutiques, or 1st year associate positions?

3rd year positions are hard to come by unless the firm fully intends to promote you to associate at the end of the year. Associate positions might be even harder to come by without an MBA, but boutiques might be more receptive to that, while a BB office may not be.

Either way, the two ways to go about this: contacts and headhunters. It's definitely possible, though.

 

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