UK M&A to PE recruiting.

So, in a couple years I hope to have my analyst offer in the UK at a BB.

I'm thinking about going into private equity, but dayum I don't want my new boss of three years to find out and make me shoe-polish his tooter for the next few years.

In the US I've read a lot about the PE recruiting, what about in the UK? Say it comes to January time on my first year, do I apply to BX,TPG,KKR, Carlyle etc online? Do I let them how selfish and ungrateful for my analyst scheme offer I really am?

Or is the process for me to find 'recruiters' (I've no idea how I'd go about this at this time) and submit resumes and wine&dine and try to win them over? Or can the PE applications be done with just online applications?

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Best Response

works similar than in the US, at least the first part. You get contacted by a headhunter or contact them via a friend who has the details. You meet the headhunter, walk through your CV and deals etc. If they like you and think they can get you a job they will arrange interviews with the PE firms they represent. This way you might get in touch with various headhunters.

Difference to the US is the fact that the guys that get headhunted are analysts after two years, after three years and sometimes first year associates. Overall less structured than the US I would say, also people breaking in from non BB backgrounds.

Online applications dont work really so forget about that. And yeah your boss wont know in the beginning, and as long as you dont brag around about your interviews at KKR nobody else will. Just keep it low and once the point for recommendations come talk to your MD, mostly they are receptive.

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