PE Associate Career Path
Hey guys,
I'm currently a middle market credit analyst for a larger regional bank. Internally, I'm on the career path to become a lender.
Last week I was approached by a recruiter from a private equity company. I have always wanted to move to private equity, but I thought it would take a couple more years to develop the skills I'd need to make the move.
Anyway, they have a couple of associate jobs open that they'd like me to apply for, risk associate (sounds like periodic reviews of portfolio companies) and leveraged finance associate (working on new transactions). Which of these two should I make the priority?
In commercial banking it seems that when they have roles dedicated to existing borrower risk review, those jobs are typically not where you want to go, but given the higher level of commitment to deals/lower number of transactions in PE I could see that not being the case there.
My bank actually has our credit analysts do both new deal underwriting and existing borrower reviews, and our middle market groups do a lot of deals with PE firms, so I feel like I could do either job.
Which job has the better career path? Is it even an issue in PE? I may be well served to take what I can get on the PE side and figure it out when I get there. I just don't want to leave my lender track job if it's like commerical banking where the dedicated review people are locked in a closet with no hope of ever working in a revenue generating role.
Be careful with that fucking bitch ass recruiter. No offense, but you are not a top tier pedigreed candidate. In essence, you are a dime a dozen. A lot of times, these recruiters have two different jobs which are 1:) To find a top candidate that has the skills and experience that will add value and that the investment firm will find attractive. 2:) Find a candidate that is WILLING and FINE with taking the job given to them. The second one is arguably harder since they have to go out there and find candidates that are willing to do less glamorous work. I'm not saying you aren't qualified for a PE front office job, but this is the experience I have had as well, since I am a not considered a "top candidate."
Be careful with the bait and switch method too where the recruiter gives two jobs, then pulls out the better one and says that the middle office one is the only one that is available now.
Highly advise against Risk. Only going to hurt your resume. To reiterate everyone's input, Risk is total BO. It would be far more difficult to get a shot at something more "pristine" with BO as your most recent experience, even if its coming from a branded shop. Give it your best to get into LevFin. In my bank (BB) the placement's optimal to land a solid PE gig.
Hours-wise, can attest that the work's comparable to m&a. Totally fine if you're not comfortable with that. Another consideration to take into account. My 2 cents anyway.