Associate at MM PE with no work

Networked my way into an mm pe sometime ago. Have been coming to the office every day for the past one+ year and have nothing to do. The partners are nice, but they do their stuff, so I just sit all day browsing the internet. I asked them several times, but they just keep making promises that work will come soon, and now its been a year (literally) without anything to do. I even went out of my way to find them some attractive proprietary investment opportunities, but they never even bothered to sign the NDA. I want to leave, but since I don't have a banking background (have done CFA & masters and then worked for four years for a no-name firm), I haven't been getting any interviews. Networked my way with headhunters, but they all said I don't stand a chance.

On the one side, I feel lucky to be in the pe industry, but, on the other side, I am just bored (also not really learning anything). I am still confused as to why would they pay me to have no work (its a small office, so I am sure they know I am just sitting all day).

I am looking for advice here. What can I do next? Has anyone else been in a similar situation?

10 Comments
 

Are you sure it's MM PE? Do they have a fund raised? What capital are they investing with?

Based on what you've said it doesn't sound like a legit PE shop, more like a tiny family office or something. What's your comp if you don't mind sharing?

 

Huge take away is that don't join no-name firms. It's all personal money so there is no sense of urgency to do deals. I had offers (~$100k) from data providers factset, bloomberg, etc. but had my eyes set on doing deals. So ended up accepting a below market comp . Initially I thought the currenlty opportunity will result in becoming jack of all trades (modeling, fund raising,, etc.).

I am in a career death trap and would appretiate any lateral move advice/leads from you all.

 
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