Too old for PE
Hi Monkeys,
I need your advice. I have over 6-7 years of work experience in IB and accounting experience and am looking to make the move to PE.
Am I too old for the move? I kept being told by HH I am too old
For those who successful made the switch with a similar situation, how did you go about the transition?
Greatly appreciate any insights
dont see why this would be an issue unless you are trying to skip the associate years
Agree. On-cycle will be nigh impossible though; have to get creative with networking and off-cycle
no i am constantly told i am too old. the places who really care about this are Summit, permira, PAI, GIC, waterland, francisco, investindustrial, nordic, searchlight... anyone have luck with 4+ years of IB? where did you go?
seems only options are inflexion, BC, cinven, apax, warburg, not sure where else
I had 6 years exp across big 4, Corp dev and IB and moved over as associate in PE. Not US though
what fund? uk?
Could you tell me more about your experience? Where are you based? How did you make the move? Which HH did you use?
HH are telling me I am too experienced
same - message me please would like to commiserate.
I know 26 y/o who became VP at MF, 31 y/o who became VP at MF and 28 y/o who just started at MM so age don't matter
Thanks - were they Associates promoted to VP? Or did they come from a different industry (i.e. IB / Consulting / Accounting)?
the MFs were associates (one got promoted super early and one was regular promote but way older), the mm was in accounting then pivoted into IB -> PE
Keep in mind that firms (whether legal or not) are biased in assuming anyone in their late 20s/early 30s will not have the same energy and work ethic (based on age and lifestyle) as someone in their early 20s. This is why HHs are not particularly receptive.
If you genuinely want to do this job and accept that associate is the right starting point, you'll need to go out of your way to prove yourself through the interview + references. I'd encourage you to address the "elephant in the room" and reiterate your intent to grind. My 2c.
i am trying but the HHs are a major roadblock... would like to chat with someone who has had similar obstacles, or who has overcome...
You seem to be in Europe where there should be less age discrimination. PE recruitment is not as standardised as US where everyone has to be 23 or 24.
Maybe part of it is the tough market, they can just selectively take the young grinders. I feel like things should be easier if you're at MS.
Based in NY. Currently work at a BB. After a few years of bouncing around 2 jobs + 3 years as an analyst I am starting at a UMM fund in 2 months at the ripe age of 29.
I’m sure some funds were skeptical of my background but I was didn’t feel it was a major hurdle. I actually had the opportunity to do on-cycle my first year but decided against.
You should be fine as long as you truly want the job and can interview very well. I’d focus on getting in front of people to get interviews.
I had limited success using HHs. I mostly reached out cold to funds VPs/Principals and landed a few processes that eventually converted.
Moved into PE (MF) as an Associate after 2 years of Big 4 (corporate finance) and 4.5 years in M&A (BB) + European educated (i.e. BSc. + MSc.). In Europe it is doable.
Curious to know how you've found the transition originally from Big 4 and now in MF. Do you think IB is a prerequisite for PE and how much different was the lifestyle, quality of life, calibre of work, etc. when comparing each of the 3?
Thanks for all of your posts! May I ask that which niche sector would you prefer for a graduate today? Many thanks!
what fund? i am struggling to find ones who are ok i did 4 years M&A
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