Coasting at MF, VP+

Recent Principal internal promo at large MF.

Like the job, but also like enjoying my free time.

How long can I last as a mid/ lower-mid performer at a large shop? Any tips on how to be a seemingly effective coaster?

NYC, $20bn+ shop

5 Comments
 

not at your level so no real advice but anecdotally last two PE shops I worked at (MF/UMM) i’d say 3 directors easily coasted for two years but then by year 3 seem to get shown the door as firms deemed them to not be partner material


So that is to say you should be able to get 3 full bonuses. Now with the changing economy maybe its just two years but I’d be surprised if its cut  shorter than that

 
Funniest

Delegate down aggressively - anything comes up, immediately forward it to a VP to do it for you as a “learning opportunity”. Ask your VPs to lead all meetings. Before IC / full team meetings, ask your VPs to write you a talk track and anytime you’re questioned on anything you don’t know, make your VPs answer. Goal is to be able to do your job entirely from your phone in between episodes on Netflix. 

 

Be super intellectually lazy and kill every single deal that isn't a perfect cookie cutter fit with your fund's legacy and strategy. Brand this as 'discernment'. Spend all your time on the 1-2 vanilla deals that come in per year and brand it as 'focus'. Leverage AI to the hilt. Heavily suck up to your bosses so it delays your firing by a year. 

 

Omnis explicabo labore pariatur. Iste sed harum quia ab excepturi. Repellendus omnis velit occaecati.

Atque temporibus reiciendis incidunt aut suscipit doloribus aut. Iste cum delectus ad corporis saepe ipsum. Enim optio qui provident quo ipsa temporibus molestiae. Similique nesciunt sunt illo eum accusantium sed blanditiis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Ardian 98.9%
  • Blackstone Group 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (351) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
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...”