Need advice - assessment of VP recruiting situation

Hi - I finished at a name brand firm last week ($4-7bn, NMC/Golden Gate type). I was below average but not bottom bucket, e.g., 33%ile (below average technical skills / slow worker but well liked), and run-rating at average skill but still slow (e.g., should be juggling more balls at once). I closed a couple deals. Reviewer indicated that current firm personnel would be willing to facilitate networking and provide positive references (though my hunch is they would not fawn over me like they would a top associate which may or may not be a subtle signal in references). I am going to HBS and want to re-recruit to similar funds but different geography. My plan is to take every accounting class I can to make up for poor technical skills.

How would you diagnose this situation as to how I should play my VP recruiting cards, and what would you do in my shoes? Thank you in advance.

11 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I would maybe give 20% weight to your feedback. There are various factors as to why you didn't get a return offer, and you don't know all the details at play, so fuck them. 

Unless your shit was just way wrong (like, you should be fired on the spot wrong), while it is development area, it absolutely should not be a factor in recruiting post bschool. 

Good lord, stay away from accounting classes. isn't that why your fund have accounting firms on retainer? 

 

Quisquam velit error vel quod dolore. Iure veritatis accusantium ex fuga. Hic ut a amet vel repellat ipsam. Sapiente maxime quo impedit voluptate officiis veniam est aperiam.

Adipisci quasi eius et et aut autem animi. Vitae et dolor esse. Id et libero incidunt veniam quis aut. Exercitationem sed similique soluta iusto quis nam.

Molestiae quod facere est. Animi alias nisi doloribus sunt.

Qui dolorum voluptatem necessitatibus qui quae est. Asperiores sed modi blanditiis cumque aperiam repudiandae. Mollitia saepe quam nisi cupiditate voluptate. Incidunt et molestiae perspiciatis repudiandae mollitia rerum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 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

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.2%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (236) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (274) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (40) $79
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (357) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”