Consulting to private equity

Quick bio: Spent 3 years after masters in a boutique consultancy, now with a bank in strategy/M&A team (half a year in, haven't worked on any deals, only strategy projects). Worked on some DD stuff for PE when at the boutique but no end-to-end deal experience. Background in finance, have CFA charter. 

Given my background, do I need to go for IB roles before PE since I have no deal experience? Or I've still got some chances getting smaller operationally focused PE firms? Just wanna get my foot in the door. 

Any advice and experience sharing is much appreciated!!

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