Thoughts on not doing on-cycle - is this the wrong move?

Incoming Rx analyst at a T2 shop. I am not interested in vanilla PE, and if I were to exit I would shoot for a credit hedge fund or some version of distressed PE / loan to own, etc.

That said, I enjoyed my summer and found Rx to be very interesting / could see myself staying with the firm in the long-run (especially given how I have seen so many people regret making the jump to the buy side).

I wanted this forum's thoughts on this...how did you decide to do / not do on-cycle? do you regret it? What factors did you consider? As someone who could see themselves as a career banker the idea of signing for a buyside job before I even hit the desk doesn't sit well with me.

7 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and considerations regarding your decision to not participate in on-cycle recruiting:

  1. Long-Term Career Goals:

    • If you find Rx (restructuring) interesting and can see yourself staying with the firm long-term, it might be worth considering staying put. Many people have regretted making the jump to the buy side prematurely.
  2. Regrets and Opportunity Costs:

    • There are numerous accounts of individuals who regret moving to the buy side too quickly. For example, some have found the work more stressful and less enjoyable than anticipated, as highlighted in the "Private Equity Associate Regretting Decision" thread.
  3. On-Cycle Recruiting Experience:

    • On-cycle recruiting can be intense and demanding. One user shared that preparing for on-cycle consumed most of their Spring and Summer, leading to significant sacrifices and some regrets about missed opportunities, such as traveling.
  4. Flexibility and Future Opportunities:

    • It's important to remember that any decision you make isn't final. If you choose not to participate in on-cycle recruiting now, you can always explore buyside opportunities later. The flexibility to lateral to different roles is always there if you are determined enough.
  5. Personal Satisfaction and Work-Life Balance:

    • Consider your personal satisfaction and work-life balance. Some users have found that staying in investment banking provided a more predictable and intellectually stimulating environment compared to the buyside.
  6. Advice from Experienced Professionals:

    • Experienced professionals have shared that the decision to stay in investment banking or move to the buyside should be based on personal criteria and long-term career satisfaction. It's crucial to evaluate what you value most in your career.

In summary, if you enjoy your current role and see potential for long-term growth and satisfaction, it might be wise to stay and not rush into on-cycle recruiting. The decision should align with your career goals, personal interests, and work-life balance preferences.

Sources: Regrets Due to Finance, My (successful) experience with on-cycle this year, My on-cycle experience / guide, BB Analyst Impacted By Layoffs - Looking for Insight, How Committed Are You to On-Cycle Recruiting?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

To me it was 1) the fear of being locked in to a job before realizing I’d want to do something else and 2) the destruction of my last year of college grinding when I’d earned myself a return. If you’re okay with giving up the “best” PE shops, many amazing firms don’t do on-cycle. Including the ones it sounds like you would rather exit to. 

 

So you think the ease of the on-cycle process makes it worth it? Do you not think the impact of reneging is pretty substantial if I put myself in that corner (i.e., burning relationships with both the firm I signed with and the HH who got me there, if not more people?) How dramatically different is the off-cycle process in terms of speed and ease? 

 

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