Which firm would you choose?

Two very different firms and many factors at play here …

What style of investing do you like better (they are very different), which sectors, what size of portfolio companies?

What is drawing you to New York and how big is that a pull?

Do you want to do an MBA?

Where do you like the people more?

How important (if at all) is work life balance?

Those are two really competitive seats, so you must be doing something right to get them both and will make the best decision for you (for what it’s worth , H&F is not a “no brainer” here as you might think, know people who turned them down due to answers to some of those questions above).

Nobody can answer this but you.

As others are saying, really up to you and how you weigh your location preferences vs. fund preferences. Are you going to hate SF, be leaving behind a gf/your entire friend group and be miserable in SF? Or is NY just the long-term plan and you don't mind trying somewhere else for a bit.

It's not always easy to get your PE firm to re-locate you so if you absolutely want to be in NYC, I would take that job

H&F is much larger / institutional, whereas Sycamore is still a relatively lean team and only on their 3rd fund. Hard to compare, but both would be great places to learn and get exposure to top tier investors. If all else is equal to you, then location (either SF or NYC) makes sense to value.

Tbh for me it would be no-brainer H&F 

Pick sycamore then

IMO I'd do H&F, from that fund size and reputation could move to all sorts of places in NYC after a 2 year stint.

In an era where the future of PE and particularly tech PE looks this uncertain, I’d stick with the geography in which you will be happiest since you have two brand name firms in your lap. Like, maybe the exit opps will be marginally better at H&F but if you have meaningful ties to NY don’t throw them away over this.

Could you see yourself in H&F and doing well there? I’ve seen people uproot themselves to the west coast only to hate the new job they had and lateral within a year 

How do you feel about the overall vibe of each team?
 

Also, sycamore is a great firm too

Heard Sycamore's returns aren't that great and also that one of the founding partners left last year. On the other hand, I've talked with a few of the associates and they say that the culture is pretty good -- everyone is friendly, easy to work with, and hang out with outside of work. 

Not even a question go to h&f.

One of the best funds in the industry where you will learn lights and away more

You would be insane to pass up an H&F gig. They print $