Advice needed for BB analyst

Hello,

I recently started an investment banking analyst stint at a BB in nyc. I'm interested in making the switch to private equity after 2 years. I'm wondering how I should approach PE recruiting. I'm not sure how headhunters will view my profile - nontarget engineer -> 1 yr msf -> 1 yr MM equity research -> BB analyst. I'm pretty confident in my ability to interview and impress people once face to face, but it's a different game than IB and I'm not sure if I'll even be competitive for interviews. Also, no alumni from my ug school work in PE and only a few from my msf school do. Any advice? I bought the WSO PE interview guide - I'll be prepared for interviews, but I'm just not sure how to approach the job search. Maybe just target MM PE, upper MM? I appreciate any advice

Thanks,

3 Comments
 
Best Response

Firstly, congratulations on the new job. You're on the right track to begin thinking about exit opportunities now, and, for now, I would say cast the net as wide as possible. The reason is that you may find something that you didn't existed before, and that could be very interesting to you (i.e. secondaries. I had no idea it existed before a year ago, and now I'm at a secondaries fund).

Certainly talk to headhunters to get their feedback, and don't be defensive when they give you their honest opinion. Sometimes they're being truthful, and sometimes they're setting lower expectations. They can be your best friends if you let them be themselves.

With your specific route you planned, this is probably the easiest route for someone in your position. MMs and elite MMs love BB analysts, and you would have less competition from your comrades who are aiming for BB PE shops. But to animalz's point, go for it. Shoot for the stars. You never know where the connection can come from; schools are just the most obvious ones.

--Death, lighter than a feather; duty, heavier than a mountain
 

Facere et eveniet impedit. Ullam non ad modi reiciendis distinctio rerum doloremque. Eos sed ab possimus ipsum sapiente et.

Nesciunt sed cumque reiciendis velit molestias ipsam aliquam. Facere dicta ipsum non libero nihil. Sed assumenda quas totam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (236) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (273) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (40) $79
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (357) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”