Career path at Lazard

Question

I will be applying for an Associate role at Lazard in their investment banking division.

What’s the typical career path at Lazard? (Could someone lay it out step by step?)

Also, is Associate considered an entry-level position, or would I be expected to manage analysts or take on leadership responsibilities within a deal team?

Answer 1

Hey,

to my knowledge, the typical career path at Lazard in IB looks like this:

Analyst (3 years) – Focus on financial modeling, research, and presentations.
Associate (3 years) – More responsibility, managing analysts, direct client interaction.
Vice President (3–4 years) – Leads deal execution, works closely with clients.
Director / Senior VP (3–5 years) – More strategic advisory, business development.
Managing Director – Oversees deals, brings in new mandates, takes on leadership roles.

As an Associate, you’re NOT entry-level, you’ll be expected to manage analysts, contribute to deal execution, and collaborate closely with senior bankers. Strong technical skills and communication are important!

Answer 2

The path typically starts as an Analyst, progressing to Associate, Vice President, Director, and eventually Managing Director. Associates are expected to take on leadership roles and manage analysts, not an entry-level position.

For a more detailed answer from someone with direct experience at Lazard, I highly recommend reaching out to Coach Hashim, who worked at Lazard and can provide deeper insights: Coach Hashim on PrepLounge.

Answer 3

Having worked in both consulting and finance, I’d say the main difference is the focus. In consulting, it’s about big... (read entire answer)

Having worked in both consulting and finance, I’d say the main difference is the focus. In consulting, it’s about big-picture problem-solving, like helping a client expand into... (read entire answer)