Has anyone here gotten their top choice on-cycle and have tips for making that happen?

I really want to land a gig at a unique UMM PE firm that I have the right background for (Don’t want to get into too much detail but it’s more than prestige/pay). I know the general advice for on-cycle is to have an open mind, but anyone have any tips for successfully landing the dream job? I networked with the firm but the tldr is you need to win an on-cycle offer

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I did on-cycle this past summer, and signed with my top choice. Luck is a huge factor, but a few words of advice for you:

  • Communicate very clearly and explicitly to the HH's that this UMM is your top choice, and that you have contacts in the group who you've networked with already
  • Once "interviews" (coffee chats, intro Zoom calls, etc.) begin and firms / HH's begin reaching out to you to schedule times, schedule your meetings as early as possible
  • HH's will ask what type of firm you're interested in - have a a few names from each HH's client list that are similar to your top choice just so your story is consistent and easily digestible

Luck again is a huge part of the process and HH's will match opportunities with candidates in a way that maximizes their chance of getting a placement fee. There's only so much you can do. Good luck, and enjoy the process as much as you can!

 

Voluptas sunt id alias cupiditate. Cupiditate voluptas repellat architecto autem error dolore dicta. Autem voluptates et omnis minus cumque provident molestiae. Ut sit impedit molestias sint esse porro et.

Optio dolorum voluptatum asperiores cumque. Minus et quam pariatur occaecati consequatur qui.

Beatae eaque occaecati deleniti ut enim nobis. Temporibus quia minus perspiciatis et ratione ea quis. Enim similique quo animi ipsum qui pariatur omnis.

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...”