I am not allowed to make any errors
I regularly catch errors and modeling mistakes from my Senior Associate and VP. Just yesterday, I found an issue with the MOIC calculation in a live deal model from my Senior Associate and fixed it. Today, I corrected an error in a DD Q&A that my VP sent out for review. He responded with his usual "thanks, good catch." Yesterday, my Senior Associate sent a model out to an investor that was off by $1 million, and there were no repercussions. However, whenever I make a mistake, the reaction is different. Yesterday, my boss came running over to my desk 10 minutes after he sent me a deck, asking where it was. I quickly forwarded it, but I missed one word out of all of the comments, and I got chewed out for it. Hes now not talking to me. I understand that small errors add up, but is this just the nature of private equity, or am I dealing with unreasonable expectations? On top of that, I’ve raised concerns twice about my workload and potentially missing deadlines on high-intensity deals. My staffer didn’t respond to either message, and later criticized me for not telling him I didn’t have the capacity. When I reminded him that I did notify him, he said I should have followed up again. One of my MDs regularly sends me Microsoft Teams messages about live deals until 2 a.m. I was working on a high-intensity deal and sent him a series of clarifying questions in real-time so I could implement them immediately. He complained that I should have compiled everything into a single email instead of sending multiple messages. However, later he also complained that I wasn’t being communicative enough. Last month, I went on vacation for the first time after being with the firm for a year. I told my deal teams I’d be flexible if needed, but they took that as me being fully available to work. Later, they said I should have either fully committed to working or not responded at all, instead of trying to manage it part-time. I was trying to be accommodating, but it ended up backfiring. It’s starting to feel like I can’t win, and it’s leaving me feeling defeated.
Do whatever it takes to survive. That’s what others here are doing talking out of both sides of their mouth.
I think it's more of a firm culture issue. They just don't like you and are piling up random reasonings. I'd look to jump ship as soon as possible.
PE gig is hectic but if you fit into the culture it's a lot less stressful without having to worry about the drama and backfirings.
Could be
Welcome to the life of an associate, the existence of a living breathing spell check & #REF repair bot. We all went through it. And it'll be tradition to continue the trend once we're promoted out of it and are required to focus our attentions on big picture stuff. Suffer and strive for the promised land brother.
Learnt this lesson the hard way in the military - either don't do it, or fully commit. Half-assing things while thinking you'll be given a pass/commended for working on leave just means you get screwed twice as hard both ways. Just how it works...
Idk why you got MS but yes i agree
Good reminder. Thx
Experienced the same when starting out and, whilst the pressure and striving for error free work is expected, this is generally a firm culture issue. I‘d recommend you to monitor their performance feedback on you closely and if it deteriorates to lateral asap. Huge pain to work for seniors who produce errors themselves but are not open to communicate, teach and mentor juniors along the way.
Yeah, I know I fully agree. Unfortunately, I really thought this is going to be a career move but seems like it's just a bump in the road.
Had pretty much identical situation - was let go after c.18 months.
Tbh I think they just don’t like you for whatever reason and it’s really hard to turn that around once you get that rep.
had a quick question - is promotion cycles harder in PE you think than IB? less seats and theres no incentive if im a partner to share the carry and promote many people to the top and let them sit below partner rank
When you got fired at 18 months, did you get paid your pro-rated bonus for the 2nd year? I sometimes suspect PE firms fire people just before the bonus payout season to avoid having to pay bonuses. Imagine working these hours and with these people for the base pay, ugh.
Serious PE firms aren’t firing people to save on their bonuses. Bonuses aren’t where the big dollars sit, it’s all about carry.
Missing comments usually pisses people off because you aren't doing something someone directly asked you to do vs making an error somewhere
Definitely agreed that this fucking sucks, they sound kind of toxic, and doesn't sound like a place you want to be long-term. And also, very easy to feel like people are just being hypocritical and not even self-aware. That being said, a few things you could think about:
Like I said, chances are the place you work at is shitty with shitty people. But I'd think about things above to see if anything does apply and maybe can help make your life a little better in the meantime while you decide what to do. Bad market so would try to dual process leaving with increasing morale at your current place.
All I’ll say is that as a dude who deals with a bit of anxiety at times / am not sure if I am “cut out “ for private equity , this shit sounds scary.
Hope you’re doing ok man and taking care of yourself.
Wouldn't recommend this job tbh. Highly anxiety inducing
Lmfaooo living the dream man. 18 hours of responding to comments from narcissistic neurotics a day. Stand proud... this what you recruited for.... you who are one of the few
Facts 💪🏻
Sorry to hear. Are you the only associate that feels that away or is this common across the firm? Seems like a tough place to be but imagine buyout PE is like that at most places
Not sure we don't really talk to each other in the firm outside "what did you do this weekend." Pretty impersonal / unfriendly environment.
Op switch to VC or GE. This bullshit is not worth it!
If only
Good news: You're good at your job so they want to work with you.
Bad news: You're dealing with crazy people.
Not sure if this is fully the right takeaway but thank you
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