How did you juggle between getting killed on deals in IB and PE recruitment?

I have been doing some insane hours for months now where I came to the conclusion that I’m going to suck it up and go through a couple of months of no sleep to prep for PE exit.

I’m tired and burnt out from IB hours so I’m targeting solely small to mid cap PE where hours are better (though I know it would not be 9-5 and I will still work hard but I’m just done with being a bitch in IB and doing 100 hour weeks even on pitches and franchise work alone and people have no respect for your time whatsoever)

Now if I finish work at 2am I will use that precious 2-4am time and a couple of hours here and there during the weekend to prep for interview. I’m tired af but I cannot bear the thought of staying past 2 years in IB. I want somewhat of my life back and I’m feeling super motivated just thinking about that.

I have not started interviewing yet as I feel unready but I think with some good prep for 2-3 weeks or so (due to the stupid hours I do I won’t have much time daily), I will be ready. I’m also doing some research on the key questions and focus areas in PE interviews so I wouldn’t end up wasting my time on things that they don’t care for.

Any advice would highly appreciate as I believe a lot of you guys have been there before, feeling like killing yourself after you’re done with work at 3am then starting the PE interview prep O’clock.