It’s possible, but it really depends on what you’re doing at the boutique asset manager (i.e., front/middle/back office job) and what your technical skills and previous internships look like. The issue right now is that it’s currently a pretty bad hiring market for IB, so you may have to wait until things improve or just aim for smaller firms (but will be tough even there).

I think you should have a good chance at these firms considering you already interviewed at a top bank and made it through several interviews there. I think the biggest problem will be that if you stay in Mexico, there are just fewer opportunities because it’s a smaller industry (though the lack of qualified candidates there also works in your favor).

All you could really do to improve your chances now is to win some type of finance role that is more closely related to IB/PE/VC, such as corporate banking at a large bank or TAS at a Big 4 firm or an independent valuation firm or something similar.

My background:
1) Studied Engineering at a target
2) Worked at a boutique private debt fund focused on infrastructure right out of school for three months before receiving an offer to work at a T2 consulting firm
3) Currently working at the T2 consulting firm (it’s been 9 months now)

My target IB firm is actually an EB. The thing is I already interviewed with them a year ago and got dinged in my third interview with a VP.

I don’t know if it’s worth mentioning but I live in Mexico and yes I have read your article on Mexico’s IB industry.

Thanks! Glad to hear it.

Thanks for your reply Brian. Will explore the idea of FIG/FSG-focused boutiques and/or combined firms – I hadn’t realised that indeed there might be IB firms focused on working specifically with PE clients. And for what it’s worth, I bought your networking guide (+ interview toolkit) and have been really impressed with the quality of the stuff. The networking guide especially encouraged me to just reach out more via LinkedIn so far with great results. Thank you.

1) You could probably find some FIG/FSG-focused boutique M&A firms or combined M&A / consulting firms that might be interested. I think it would be tough to go directly to a large bank with your current background.

2) You might be able to get an Associate role at a boutique firm. For larger banks, you would probably need an MBA or direct IB experience at a smaller firm first.

I guess so, but a Master’s in Finance seems unnecessary in that case. You should be able to network around and get in as a lateral hire.