Lateral Moves Between PE Firms

Anyone have any thoughts on how easy or difficult it is to make lateral moves between private equity firms at the post-MBA level? I signed with a small PE firm where I did my summer internship (MBA, top 10-ish program) but the firm is in a smaller market where I'm not interested in being long-term. In fact I considered declining the offer, but because I come from a management consulting background (~5 years), I figured it was my only chance to make the move to PE.

Trying to understand how difficult it will be to make a switch 2-4 years down the road. Anyone done this or have insight to how it's different than recruiting out of an MBA program?

6 Comments
 

Thanks for the advice. The fund is ~300m AUM. The partners are pretty well connected as they spent their careers in other parts of the country, and they are open to my career desires (transition to portfolio company at some point, etc.), so I'd hope they would assist with a transition via personal recommendations or something similar so I can get to a better geography.

 
cronkey7

Thanks for the advice. The fund is ~300m AUM. The partners are pretty well connected as they spent their careers in other parts of the country, and they are open to my career desires (transition to portfolio company at some point, etc.), so I'd hope they would assist with a transition via personal recommendations or something similar so I can get to a better geography.

Yeah keep in mind this is in general. You can lateral with unconventional means, networking, and a bit of luck. There's no straight answer.

 

I actually feel like I see this a fair amount just in reading PE bios. If it's a geographic switch you are looking for that might be something the higher ups would be willing to help you out with down the road (assuming you do a good job for them).

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