Hi, I am starting to look into private equity associate recruiting, and an important factor to me is work/life balance. More specifically I mean: ~60-70 hours a week in the office give or take minimal weekend work relatively relaxed office culture -any other company specific perks? Interested in MM/MFs or any other "up and coming" funds in SF/LA that still have decent comp (but definitely willing to sacrifice money for less hours worked). Can anyone think of specific funds that might meet this criteria? Thanks!

If you want to work at a legit PE shop and get a great experience, chances are you're going to get worked. Even LA PE firms that have "better cultures" than their NY and SF counterparts churn and grind their associates. Hell, VPs and Principals who are fighting to make a name for themselves and get that carry are burning late hours. If you want a "lifestyle" gig, PE is likely not for you.

Some may disagree with this, and it may sound obvious, but you should recruit for funds that invest in sectors in which you're genuinely interested. If you're working 80-90 hours / week, but you're interested in the investment itself, then it won't feel like 80-90 hours. You could be working 50-60 hours / week, but find the portfolio extremely boring, and it'll feel like 100+ hours.

LA funds generally have more chill people and better culture than NYC (can't speak to SF) but you are still in the deal business. Not sure why you are planning to work in PE, but as a deal business, any half way decent fund that has dry powder and provides its associates with a good experience will not be chill. I've worked at 2 pe funds in LA and know the landscape fairly well, nobody is just chilling during the week most of my friends who are associates work ~8am-8pm.

Here's my take on PE now that I've been in the soup for 2.5 years. PE is a life style, not a "job." OP - if you want a remote chance of making partner or start your own fund, 70 hrs is just starting and trust me, 70 hours of Associate work is "easy."

West Coast Private Equity Firms with Great Lifestyles?

Hi,

I am starting to look into private equity associate recruiting, and an important factor to me is work/life balance. More specifically I mean:

~60-70 hours a week in the office give or take
minimal weekend work
relatively relaxed office culture
-any other company specific perks?

Interested in MM/MFs or any other "up and coming" funds in SF/LA that still have decent comp (but definitely willing to sacrifice money for less hours worked). Can anyone think of specific funds that might meet this criteria? Thanks!

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West Coast Private Equity Firms with Great Lifestyles?

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