How ready do you feel for 2023 On-Cycle?

With headhunters reaching out and all the rumors of on-cycle happening in the coming week(s), thought it would be a good idea for those going through it share our thoughts and potential worries. 
 

I’ve known that the process has been coming at some point and we’ve had more time than other years, but also feel that it’ll come to an end as quickly as it started. I’m definitely worried that I’m not as prepared, and feel that others might feel the same. I’m sure classes before us have felt the same way, so how ready are you all for the process?

8 Comments
 

There’s a lot of advice on here about the wise and idealistic approach to preparation. It’s certainly not wrong by any means, but realistically a decent majority of people I know in PE (or going to PE) were in your shoes.

In my experience I’ve seen an equal amount of success from people who have good interpersonal skills, strong resumes, and (to put it bluntly) raw intelligence vs. those who’ve gone in extremely prepared having started modeling tests months ago. I definitely wouldn’t recommend having neither though…

 
Most Helpful

Perspective from a 2nd year who went through on cycle back in September and signed (just my thoughts!). You're never going to feel "fully ready". That being said, if you haven't had time to prep at all + don't really have a sense of what you want to get out of on cycle, it's probably best to either do off cycle or wait until the next on cycle process (yes, first years can skip this upcoming on cycle process and just do the next one as 2nd years. Has been done countless times). Reason I say it is probably best to wait if you feel like you haven't prepped at all (emphasis on the "at all") is that you really only get 1 shot at these firms. If you do on cycle and get dinged from the firms, very unlikely they will interview you again (idk, maybe there have been cases where they have interviewed again… i haven't heard of those, but I have certainly heard of candidates not being interviewed again because they got dinged the first time through). In terms of speaking with the headhunters, if you know you are going to do off cycle or wait, I still think it's beneficial to speak to the headhunters and let them know this + establish a dialogue, as off cycle technically begins right after on cycle (which is no more than 24-48 hours lol). Happy to answer any q's. Again, just my thoughts!

Wishing all of you best of luck.

 

Dignissimos sit qui rerum voluptatibus. Quibusdam hic blanditiis quis adipisci facere sequi. Doloremque et est quod ducimus. Nam saepe eos incidunt pariatur cupiditate. Sit consequatur facere earum et.

Autem voluptates culpa saepe illum soluta non in. Vel omnis accusamus esse modi. Iste nobis dolorum placeat velit architecto inventore exercitationem. Consequatur laborum qui et. Dicta et nulla tempora.

Iste quam consequatur enim ex ipsa. Voluptatum qui qui omnis quas. Repellendus iure quos est. Non reiciendis sed beatae libero consequatur voluptates.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”