Accepted a 2027 PE offer but want to re-recruit for 2028 role
I accepted a 2027 associate offer at a large-cap buyout fund ($10B+ fund) relatively early, before I had the chance to fully explore recruiting for some other firms.
I don’t plan on reneging and fully intend to start there in 2027. That said, I’m thinking ahead and wondering how feasible (and risky) it is to recruit again for 2028 associate roles, do one year at my 2027 fund, and then move.
A few specific questions I’ve been thinking about:
How risky is this, and if my 2027 firm were to find out I’m recruiting again, how negatively would that be viewed?
When I start speaking with headhunters, should I disclose that I already have a 2027 offer? Does that help (given it’s a solid large-cap fund) or hurt?
More broadly, is this path actually more realistic than trying to lateral later on as a second-year associate?
My thinking is that re-recruiting early might be more structured and give me a better shot at landing at a “dream” fund, rather than relying on more limited lateral opportunities down the line.
Would really appreciate any perspective from people who’ve seen this play out.
Following for visibility
Is it really possible to do this without burning bridges?
I haven’t seen this play out personally but don’t feel like it would be feasible — there’s so many more decent candidates than seats, what would be the incentive for a HH / firm to deal with the headache here as opposed to recruiting someone normally from IB? I can’t imagine there’s any good outcome if the firm you have an offer at finds out you’re already mentally out the door (and doing it behind their back) either.
I have seen a few anecdotal cases of people recruiting as an ASO1, but being willing to repeat the ASO1 year at the new fund, which may be much easier than looking for limited ASO2 lateral spots. You then wouldn’t need to be dodgy with HHs/the firm you have an offer at, and would allow you to maybe at least get some credit for your current offer’s brand (given you have a credible reason to move seats so early like location, switching industry coverages, etc.)
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