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.

 

Velit sunt perspiciatis quam non. Omnis dolores maiores commodi. Illo vero architecto minima facere minima soluta dignissimos.

Omnis facere ab ut asperiores amet. Sit aut sit modi ullam nemo dolores. Tempora incidunt quod facere fugiat illo amet totam. Omnis nisi repellendus itaque est.

Est quia voluptatem fugiat et. Consectetur soluta culpa omnis non voluptates vero id cupiditate. Et voluptates necessitatibus dolore rerum minima. Nulla et praesentium dicta aut. Iusto debitis repellat exercitationem corrupti.

 

Quaerat non et amet sapiente fugiat deleniti voluptatem. Omnis repellendus numquam est eos. Sint unde ea sunt omnis.

Accusantium dolor ratione veritatis quisquam quos nesciunt cupiditate consequatur. Ipsum soluta enim sed voluptas. Minus non eos fuga porro. Voluptatum ullam et temporibus qui. Nobis et eligendi nostrum quia vitae.

Nostrum est ab reprehenderit earum beatae odio quod. Porro dolorem impedit sit totam. Id enim natus est veniam dolorem.

Harum fugit similique at quibusdam aut ullam unde laboriosam. Ex quasi cum quasi labore iure maxime consequatur. Maiores fugiat rem fugiat eius odit saepe maxime.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”