2020 On-Cycle Recruiting Kicks Off

Looks like Christmas has come early this year...for some

Rumor has it that the following firms have kicked off; post your observations below!

  • New Mountain
  • KKR
  • Centerbridge
  • Ares
  • Summit
  • Thoma Bravo
  • Apollo
  • TPG
  • Warburg Pincus
  • CD&R
  • Carlyle
  • AEA
  • Berkshire Partners
  • Leonard Green
  • Permira

@DalaiLama" "FYI - what I've been hearing (both directly from PE associates as well as headhunters) is that because this process is so early, most funds are not planning to fill their entire 2020 class via on-cycle. Seems like there are spots being reserved for off-cycle 2020 processes when people actually have more than just 2 months of experience and it's easier to tell who's a good candidate."

116 Comments
 

What do you get evaluated on now that analysts are getting interviewed with minimal deal experience and probably don't have much sector expertise?

 

FYI - what I’ve been hearing (both directly from PE associates as well as headhunters) is that because this process is so early, most funds are not planning to fill their entire 2020 class via on-cycle. Seems like there are spots being reserved for off-cycle 2020 processes when people actually have more than just 2 months of experience and it’s easier to tell who’s a good candidate.

 

Anyone else having trouble scheduling interviews? I was given some today but apparently they are full so the headhunters said they would try to schedule for tomorrow — chances I will actually have a chance to interview or will firms pick based people from today?

 

Yep - most of the consulting friendly shops have given out several consultant offers at this point. Might be a few stragglers through later this week but likely wrapping up.

 

Undergrad looking to learn about PE recruiting here. Heading into banking next summer.

PE firms are currently filling their 2020 associate classes (starting summer 2020) by recruiting first-year analysts, correct?

If so, a first-year analyst who receives an offer would be sitting on it for a year and a half? How are PE firms factoring in deal experience during recruiting/headhunting?

 

Some REPEs have already started - I have interviewed at two REPE MFs already. REPE will always be a little different than normal PE though, as many of these shops recruit off cycle and aren't in such a rush to pull in new associates.

 
Funniest

"Tell me about some of your experience."

"Well most of the companies in my coverage group are about to report earnings for the first time since I started, so I am preparing to spread comps for the first time. The second years are very happy to have handed down this task to the new first years."

 
Most Helpful

Kid from my high school is at PJT RX - he said all of the analysts were already done recruiting by Tuesday night, first group on the street to do so. Pretty ridiculous as well.

8 person class: Blackstone PE, Oaktree Special Sits, Apollo PE, Anchorage, 2 Centerbridge, Blackstone GSO, and KKR Special Sits

Damn, guess thats why they have their reputation as top

 

I started at MBB this August and just signed with an Upper-MM PE firm for a summer 2020 start date. My advice:

Start reaching out to headhunters in August of next summer. If you have started your job, you should update your LinkedIn accordingly. If you haven't, I personally think the "Incoming Analyst at XYZ firm" title is tacky, so I would just include a short message to headhunters when you reach out saying, 'I'll be starting at MBB in X weeks."

I started reaching out in early September this year, and many headhunters were not even ready to be meeting candidates at that point. I'm sure they'll be ready earlier next year given the timeline from this year, but if you reach out starting August 1 you should be fine.

 

Does anyone know how RBC placed this cycle? I understand if many MM / LMM funds haven't started yet, but was wondering if RBC's placement has been getting any better or if I should lateral to a BB after my first year (will be starting FT next summer)

 

Hi fellow monkeys. Regarding a firm on this list, is it common to get ghosted after a superday?

I recently had a first round, then superday. The superday was last Monday. Recruiters said we’d hear Tuesday (nothing). Wednesday, I sent a follow up email to the recruiter, and heard nothing.

I’ve never made it this far in interviews. Usually after the first round if you don’t pass, they just ghost you. What about final rounds? Is it common to get ghosted here? Based on advice from another thread I’m going to wait until Tuesday to reach out again.

 

Why does it matter? It's clear you are not the preferred candidate. Why are you insisting you get an email saying you are denied or not?

Stop annoying them / headhunter; it'll leave a bad impression. The very most that you should do after a superday is: (1) thank you email; (2) if you don't hear back, send a note saying that although you have not heard back yet, you remain highly interested if the decision making process is still underway.

Anything else shows poor decision making and lack of professionalism.

 

Definitely is common. Nobody wants to be the bearer of bad news, and they don't have any reason to take on the responsibility. In terms of the HH, they are extremely busy this time of year and they simply may not have time to give you the feedback you are looking for.

 

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