PE Recruiting timeline for a first year analyst

I am an incoming IB analyst (start this summer), and I was wondering if anyone had any insight into PE recruiting that would be relevant to my timeline. I know some firms are going earlier and earlier, but did covid change anything timeline wise? A little unclear on timeline overall since it is less structured that IB recruiting.

Also, when should I start reaching out to people for networking, and when would be a good time to start the early stages of studying for interviews? Or is networking less of a thing and people instead rely on headhunters? In which case, not sure of how that process comes about either. Anything is appreciated, thanks

29 Comments
 

Make sure your HH relationships are solid by July/early Aug. You'll need to be plugged in almost as soon as you start for on-cycle. Depending on what firm you're at some will reach out to you preemptively but otherwise you should reach out proactively and secure those relationships

 

How would you recommend going about reaching out to HH's? Do you have a list of HH's covering the funds you are interested in and then introduce yourself and your interest in PE via email? 

 

Thanks. Should I be asking to introduce myself discuss my interest in PE / firms they cover, or should I prepare a bit more technically before reaching out?

 
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Introduce yourself and make sure you express what you're interested in. For example: "Hi xx, my name is xx and I am currently an Investment Banking Analyst at Strasmore Capital. I'm reaching out because I wanted to discuss potential (PE/HF - you decide) opportunities with you. Please let me know if you have time in the coming days to hop on a phone/Zoom call. Thank you for your help and I look forward to hearing from you"

I've heard that some recruiters at Amity and SG have asked "technical" questions (the two I heard was paper LBO which was a joke and "what is EBITDA" - no joke). But as long as you're very basically technically competent and are able to perform in your current role, there is no reason to prepare technically.

 

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