Is it just me or was on-cycle really not that bad?

At an EB and me and most of my friends not only ended up at a MF but their top choice MF and group. I thought based on what I’ve heard and even past years that a lot of people, even at top groups struggled a bit more, so was just wondering if this cycle was easier or I just happen to know a ton of lucky people. My interviews were also a lot easier than I expected? They were definitely harder than banking but nothing absurd

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I think a lot of funds, especially some of the larger ones, have made interviews a lot easier over the last couple of years (removing case studies and longer models, shortening interview process, etc.) and relying more on candidate's resume "quality" (school, bank / group, etc.). If you prepped well and work at a good bank (or work at MBB), you have very good odds of landing a job on cycle quickly (multiply those chances even further if you are a female and/or minority).

For further context, I went through ~8 hours of interviews to land my job a few years ago. Now, I think it only takes around 4 hours, maybe even less.

 

Sapiente consequuntur non incidunt officia. Illo veniam et alias aut cupiditate. Quaerat porro cumque enim voluptas aperiam illum debitis. Ut est enim quis illum. At eaque ut quis hic officiis. Repudiandae labore voluptatibus ut ut. Officia laudantium illum qui omnis.

Dolorum blanditiis voluptas exercitationem sint minima quo amet. Voluptas nam non dolorem est explicabo et. Est illo cupiditate culpa voluptas dolor vero.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • 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) 99.2%
  • 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 99.2%
  • 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 (105) $280
  • 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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”