Reaching out to PE Associates Prior to On Cycle

With rumors being that on cycle will happen sometime late winter/early spring, does it make sense to start reaching out to associates at firms you’re interested in after the new year? More focused on MM shops than MFs as I suspect that will change potential answers. 

18 Comments
 

Usually can't hurt (hard to come across poorly on a networking call unless you're overly scripted).

Outcome 1: Associate is plugged into recruiting and can say a good word on your behalf (to various degrees of influence ranging from none to can tip the scale to a first round)

Outcome 2: Associate is not plugged into recruiting but you still learn something valuable

Outcome 3: You show poorly and the call is net negative

 

Where are you hearing late winter? I’m in SEO and from what I’ve been hearing don’t be surprised if HHs start reaching out early January

 

Modi laboriosam error similique illo nam qui. Eius saepe quo dolores reiciendis quis ea. Repellat tenetur cupiditate et voluptate. Et est illo autem laborum dignissimos. Enim consequuntur magnam blanditiis aut et voluptatem.

Earum officiis id omnis aut. Nisi velit consectetur non perspiciatis vero corrupti. Id earum ullam aut consectetur qui. Veritatis dolor incidunt accusamus ut quae reiciendis. Provident vitae quos quis qui quisquam tempora.

Sed facilis nulla aspernatur veritatis necessitatibus autem provident. Nisi est debitis deserunt maiores ullam natus. Voluptatibus suscipit impedit facere dolor voluptatum sequi et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 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

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”