Recruiting from UMM/MM PE Associate —> HF Analyst?

Just started my first year as an analyst in one of the top LevFin groups. The dream is to make it to a top HF someday, and I’m thinking PE first is the best way to get there. Realistically, mega funds aren’t an option, and a Welsh Carson, Madison Dearborn, Leonard Green type firm is probably my best bet. Since PE recruiting is going to start happening soon, I wanted to make I have a solid plan down.

Given that I want to be at a top HF some day, how is HF recruiting from these types of PE shops? Are the best HF roles reserved for the GS TMT + Apollo alums? What HF strategies should / shouldn’t I be looking at (L/S, activist, event-driven, etc)? Are headhunters / email in-bounds the main point of contact, or would I be networking hard to get interviews? Should I just skip PE and recruit for these HF roles with my LevFin background?

Thank you all in advance.

9 Comments
 
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I would assume LevFin would lean towards credit/distressed credit funds straight but doubt you could do L/S equity but just my two cents. That may favor a few years in PE..

That said, a PE and HF mindset is hugely different, not sure there is much overlap? Could a move to AM not provide a good spring board and opportunity to develop that mindset (and some solid investment ideas)

Take my opinions with a grain of salt, I am a SA

 

In which case I would try to generate a credible stock and short pitch and send out emails to both recruiters and employees at firms you are interested in.

End of the day if you can generate solid ideas, I do not think it matters where you are currently

 

They’re an uphill battle for anyone, especially those not in GS TMT, MS M&A, etc. I guess it could happen, but I’m just trying to be realistic.

 

I think OP is right here. Generally a good rule of thumb to expect and prepare for failure, from both the perspective of mental health and optimizing for the best result.

"Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
 

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