tikfed

^ your conclusion is even more ignorant, because OP didn't say anything about which firms he's going to, and what tier firm he's leaving. You are making some big assumptions that could totally be dead wrong.

What if he was laid off from the buyside and spent months getting something-anything and got the associate research job?

you have no clue what the story is and saying other people are ignorant?

comparing the same level with 3 years of experience , (which means you are still a junior person buy or sell side), most people move Sell -> Buy