Performative PE associate work hack

If you’re ever relatively free but want to look busy, just have long discussion threads with AI. Recently got my review and everyone said that I really have that first in last out work ethic and that it doesn’t go unnoticed when in reality I spend a good amount of time learning about niche historical topics and speculative stock positions.

Everyone thinks I MF grind though and mid levels and MDs don’t micromanage me. I plan on leaving PE anyways so ultimately don’t mind the freedom and relatively lighter staffing load.

13 Comments
 

I’m in an “inner seat” in my desk pod and I have it pulled up on my laptop screen, and candidly it’s illegible text that could very easily look like work related discussion from afar.

Also, Im basically visually at my desk 24/7 including lunch and dinner so people think I’m always grinding

 
Funniest

Brother I'm sorry to have to deliver your autism diagnosis in this way

 

I think as much as PE firms talk about AI AI AI to try to squeeze out more LP $s the reality is none of them understand how to actually use it at the junior workflow optimization level. If they did and properly trained everyone on how to use it - I honestly think you could halve the associate classes at most shops and run just as efficiently

 

Associate 1 in PE - LBOs

I think as much as PE firms talk about AI AI AI to try to squeeze out more LP $s the reality is none of them understand how to actually use it at the junior workflow optimization level. If they did and properly trained everyone on how to use it - I honestly think you could halve the associate classes at most shops and run just as efficiently

Strongly disagree. Don’t think any significant use cases of AI / automation apply to PE in the slightest. This seems like a troll comment

 

I think the key here is a lot of the older folks at the firm don’t understand how much more efficient juniors are / can be with correct usage of AI. Therefore I get all my work done and more but still take the same amount of time so I have time for unstructured exploration

 

Yes but in reality people do care. No one likes to see associates leave at 6pm, especially not mid-levels. I find the people who care the most are the “I did it you should do it too.” You might have an exceptionally good attitude at a shop with good culture, but I’d wager most PE shops would just double triple staff until optimal labor / capacity equilibrium with the additional productivity.

 

Quod ut cumque aut. Sint asperiores veniam et repudiandae.

Quos nulla facere sit quo qui. Voluptatibus placeat quidem ipsa. Excepturi quod quibusdam sed distinctio consequatur modi eum.

Eaque porro sit a qui sunt. Esse qui modi explicabo repudiandae nemo illo. Cum rerum velit officia omnis rerum excepturi. Voluptatem est et iusto esse voluptatum voluptatum et. Necessitatibus est asperiores ducimus totam recusandae totam. Dolorem optio et provident eligendi illum animi debitis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2026 Private Equity

  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Ardian 98.9%
  • Blackstone Group 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (351) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”