How did you break into the buy side?

Water Cooler Careers
#1

I thought this might generate some interesting (and helpful!) stories since AF seems to have a fair share of buy siders that post and lurk. Anything you guys care to share would be very appreciated. Thanks.

#2

I kinda just started off on the Buy side… applied online to a start-up Asset Management firm… the catch is the pay’s a joke.

#3

I think that depends. At a bank, I agree. However, I know that FI senior analysts at institutional firms make $300k all in.

#4

Pay wise it just depends on your level. Average starting salary for an analyst should be about $75k last time I checked, a start-up firm will obviously pay a little less but as you develop experience and the firm gets a higher AUM your pay should go up, and if you’re doing things right so should your brokerage account.

I got to the buy-side by writing on Seeking Alpha after quitting operations and taking the CFA1. I wrote on high-profile events and got over 10,000 views per article, then woke up one day to a message from a multi-billion dollar hedge fund asking, “Hey want to come work for us?” Pretty surreal and I definitely got lucky. Just goes to show you need to do everything you can to get where you want to be,

JSobes