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Based on the most helpful WSO content, the private equity (PE) market in London operates differently compared to the U.S. There isn't a strict "on-cycle" or "off-cycle" recruiting process. Instead, funds hire through headhunters like KEA, Walker Hamill, Blackwood, PER, and Dartmouth when they need to fill positions. The urgency and duration of these processes can vary significantly.

For analysts and associates, hiring typically aligns with when professionals leave their roles, often after banking bonuses in summer or winter. This creates opportunities for movement, particularly in these periods. You can generally recruit for buy-side roles between Analyst 1 and Associate 3 levels.

If you're an Analyst 1 in a PE fund and looking for an exit, now could be a good time to engage with the headhunters mentioned above. They are key players in the London market and can help you identify opportunities that align with your career goals.

Sources: 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions - London Edition, Megafunds starting associates 6 months earlier, 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions - London Edition, Q&A: London REPE MF Associate, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/private-equity/pe-recruiting-in-london?customgpt=1

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