Just started new PE gig at MM a few months in now (started in March) and realizing I don’t think I want to be at this fund anymore. How early to begin the lateral process would be seen as ok? Would 6 months be fine?
| +73 | PE Bro Accepted to GSB/HBS/Wharton - AMA | 72 | 18m |
| +67 | Secondaries Career Outlook: Comp, Exits & Long-Term Upside? | 24 | 13h |
| +29 | Private Equity Office wear | 13 | 4d |
| +21 | Use Cases For Claude Cowork / Claude Code | 8 | 1d |
| +18 | GE / LMM PE Comp in Tier 2 City | 1 | 1d |
| +13 | Starting Early as a PE Associate | 4 | 20h |
| +12 | Army Officer Seeking Advise on transition to PE | 3 | 14h |
| +11 | PE vs IB job security | 12 | 13h |
| +10 | How much time are you spending on new deals vs portfolio work? | 3 | 2d |
| +9 | Graduate Positions: Boutique LMM PE/Advisory vs. Big 4? | 0 | 2h |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, it's generally recommended to wait closer to the one-year mark before actively reaching out to recruiters about lateral opportunities within private equity. Jumping ship before the one-year mark can raise questions about your candidacy unless there are warranted circumstances, such as geographic relocation needs or the fund winding down.
If you do decide to start the process earlier, ensure you are very clear with recruiters about what you're looking for and highlight the positive experiences from your current role to maintain a strong narrative.
Sources: Private Equity Associate Regretting Decision, Lateraling PE to PE, Joined New Firm; Complete Non-Cultural Fit > Let Go in 6 Months, Best Practices for Finding Lateral Opportunities, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/private-equity/going-from-mm-investment-bank-to-mega-fund?customgpt=1
Bump - in exact same position lol
What's your prior experience? If you did 2 full years in banking, firms will likely give you the benefit of the doubt at 6-8 months. Just make sure you have a good reason for leaving.
If you are a new grad or have another short stint (~1yr or less) on your resume, sit tight for a few more months. Ideally you get to a year for best optics.
Did 1 year and 8 months of banking and now 5 months PE, started earlier after they had some associates leave and was understaffed. Not finishing my analyst program shouldn’t count against me though?
It might, just depends on who's looking at your resume that day. I don't think leaving banking like 2 months early is a big deal, but there's people out there who would view this as the second time you're leaving a stint early
Agree with other comments that lateral market is terrible, so expect it to take a while to find a spot. Depends on how much you really need out, but if you're really unhappy in your current role you can start shopping your resume a bit and see if you get any bites.
Just FYI lateral market is atrocious / brutal. Some other threads on it. Also would expect that at 6-12 month mark you’ll be asked to start as ASO1, but I think that’s well understood
Animi non enim amet ut sed. Maiores similique aut magnam asperiores. Numquam autem quis qui facilis fugit sed vero rerum. Occaecati dignissimos est vel doloremque veritatis qui voluptatem id. Eum magnam deleniti cupiditate velit harum asperiores provident. Sit sit quisquam nisi qui possimus explicabo.
Incidunt sint accusantium nostrum. Sint voluptatem deserunt similique corporis quod ut unde. Qui illum aut rerum et. Iste sed voluptas facere cupiditate voluptas aut nostrum.
Earum ducimus quidem facere doloribus aut ex harum. Officia mollitia id et assumenda eos distinctio nulla qui. Sed deleniti deserunt sapiente et nostrum id quia quod. Et nemo numquam quibusdam reprehenderit. Ipsum atque omnis facilis nobis et rerum ullam. Architecto aut debitis quidem aut at. Aut vero voluptatem voluptatum nihil.
Totam quibusdam non enim minus. Autem ut tempora eum. Delectus voluptate illo quia sed sunt sint explicabo et.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...