Day 1 PE Associate Advice
What do you wish you knew starting day 1 in private equity? Any advice for a first year associate to first survive and then thrive / make it to Sr. Associate or VP?
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To relax going in. You’ll learn more on the job than you realize.
Be aware that first impressions are important. Go in and be focused on learning your specific team’s working style and then work hard for the right people. The work itself isn’t rocket science so take your time to do things right the first time. Also just be someone that others enjoy working and spending time with. This is very underrated and I’ve seen it carry traditional underachievers or those you may not consider conventionally smart very very far. Finally, once you do get comfortable and acclimated, don’t be afraid to speak up when appropriate and take on more responsibilities. And unless you have a mountain of work, always say yes, when asked to take on new tasks. Even if you aren’t asked, start drafting a list of questions before a management call. I could go on, but I’ve found the soft skills have made the most impact.
Be intellectually curious. Ask questions, especially in your first 6 months. Try to be proactive. Once you’ve broken in and proven yourself, offer to take things off your VP’s plate. To some extent, you have to “play the game” – office politics matter more than you may think, especially at larger, more institutionalized firms. Try to build strong relationships with the midlevels and seniors on your team. You want at least 1-2 people in positions of power to be able to bat for you when it comes to reviews / promotions.
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