Apollo LA

If I had my druthers this would be my #1 choice for a post IB analyst gig. Fairly familiar with Apollo (worked on a deal where they were a bid finalist) but have no clue about it other than the bits of chatter I've picked up here.

Reason I want to work at that particular office so bad is:

1) It's Apollo, killer shop, duh, who doesn't. But not quite TPG/KKR/BX which I doubt I could get to anyway but don't have a desire really even if it was an option.

2) Personal reasons, non of which worth mentioning in a serious context, but would work with my life plan for that time.

Would apreciate any insight anybody has. In all seriousness would like to start the path to positioning myself to get in front of them come spring recruiting, being serious. Can provide stats via PM if anyone's willing to reach out.

Thanks.

15 Comments
 

It's a little more meritocratic than a Bain PE (and to a lesser extent KKR PE) in that you don't HAVE to come from a Harvard+GS/BX PE/Bain Consulting/McKinsey (Bain) or GS/MS/BX (KKR, at least preferably) background, but it's not easy by any means, and you'll still find that the majority of Associates come from the above backgrounds (speaking more for NY here, as LA has folks from places like BAML/Barclays).

Nonetheless, majority of the jr. assocs. come from Harvard/Wharton undergrad and have GS/MS/BX/JPM appended to their name (they've expanded to MoCo as well, but I'm again talking more for NY).

Best way to get a look is by either murdering your meeting with Amity (to such a degree that they literally think you're better than someone that comes from any of the backgrounds described above [OR by virtue of being in the right demographic]) and/or having an MD, etc. reach out on your behalf and provide the type of recommendation that will have Apollo ask Amity to ensure you're on their interview list.

Hope the above is helpful.

 
no homoIt's a little more meritocratic than a Bain PE (and to a lesser extent KKR PE) in that you don't HAVE to come from a Harvard+GS/BX PE/Bain Consulting/McKinsey (Bain) or GS/MS/BX (KKR, at least preferably) background, but it's not easy by any means, and you'll still find that the majority of Associates come from the above backgrounds (speaking more for NY here, as LA has folks from places like BAML/Barclays).

Nonetheless, majority of the jr. assocs. come from Harvard/Wharton undergrad and have GS/MS/BX/JPM appended to their name (they've expanded to MoCo as well, but I'm again talking more for NY).

Best way to get a look is by either murdering your meeting with Amity (to such a degree that they literally think you're better than someone that comes from any of the backgrounds described above [OR by virtue of being in the right demographic]) and/or having an MD, etc. reach out on your behalf and provide the type of recommendation that will have Apollo ask Amity to ensure you're on their interview list.

Hope the above is helpful.

right demographic? really helpful, what about carlyle/tpg/hellman and friedman?

 

Right demographic as in it's easier to stand out if you're a cute girl that generally knows their stuff than if you're the 28th Chinese male that the recruiter meets in a row (you obv. can't control this, but it's worth noting because it matters at least somewhat at the end of the day and lets you know what you're going up against/have going for you).

Carlyle/TPG are not as bad as Bain/KKR (and to a lesser extent BX/Apollo), imho, because they're larger and can accommodate more folks across various offices, but I'd still say there's a penchant for strong folks that come from more underrepresented backgrounds (and yes, you're still going to have more GS/MS/BX/JPM/etc. than you're going to have Citi/BAML/Barclays/DB/UBS/EVR/LAZ/MoCo). H&F has a p. extensive team page iirc which should tell you what kind of background is preferable (heavy MS, again iirc). If you're in the '13 cycle, they were done months ago.

 
no homoRight demographic as in it's easier to stand out if you're a cute girl that generally knows their stuff than if you're the 28th Chinese male that the recruiter meets in a row (you obv. can't control this, but it's worth noting because it matters at least somewhat at the end of the day and lets you know what you're going up against/have going for you).

Carlyle/TPG are not as bad as Bain/KKR (and to a lesser extent BX/Apollo), imho, because they're larger and can accommodate more folks across various offices, but I'd still say there's a penchant for strong folks that come from more underrepresented backgrounds (and yes, you're still going to have more GS/MS/BX/JPM/etc. than you're going to have Citi/BAML/Barclays/DB/UBS/EVR/LAZ/MoCo). H&F has a p. extensive team page iirc which should tell you what kind of background is preferable (heavy MS, again iirc). If you're in the '13 cycle, they were done months ago.

Is JPM better than LAZ/Moelis/Evercore? Thought those three placed pretty well, especially Moelis

 
wso_user
no homoRight demographic as in it's easier to stand out if you're a cute girl that generally knows their stuff than if you're the 28th Chinese male that the recruiter meets in a row (you obv. can't control this, but it's worth noting because it matters at least somewhat at the end of the day and lets you know what you're going up against/have going for you).

Carlyle/TPG are not as bad as Bain/KKR (and to a lesser extent BX/Apollo), imho, because they're larger and can accommodate more folks across various offices, but I'd still say there's a penchant for strong folks that come from more underrepresented backgrounds (and yes, you're still going to have more GS/MS/BX/JPM/etc. than you're going to have Citi/BAML/Barclays/DB/UBS/EVR/LAZ/MoCo). H&F has a p. extensive team page iirc which should tell you what kind of background is preferable (heavy MS, again iirc). If you're in the '13 cycle, they were done months ago.

Is JPM better than LAZ/Moelis/Evercore? Thought those three placed pretty well, especially Moelis

Yeah, I'm pretty sure LAZ/EVR/MoCo have amazing placement...

 
Best Response

Um, I disagree.

The Tier 1 mega funds are generally equally competitive to get into. I very strongly disagree with the KKR too selective, but Apollo easier to penetrate. If you can get an offer at Apollo, you can get an offer at KKR. It's a matter of interviewing well and being the right pedigree.

Also re: the comment about "blowing" away Amity, that's complete BS. I've seen more of all of these recruiters than I'd prefer to and there is no blow them away. They are prestige whores on par with WSO prospective monkeys. Ivy League school + top group = blown away. Its fairly formulaic, theres no upside for them to introduce a wild card to their clients. You're not gonna see some clown from UNC Greensboro to Harris Williams roll into Amity, knock their socks off and land interviews at the top mega funds. I've blown away principals at mega funds with the same interview answers that drew blank stares and polite smile+nods from Amity, SG etc... They're not incentivized to find a diamond in the rough. They get paid to herd pedigreed candidates.

 
wso_user

Uhh... A lot of PE, including MM PE, is basically banking 2.0. I worked as hard and in as a rigidi environment in MM PE as in top tier IBD

I mean to some extent your life generally gets a little better depending on where you are coming from and where you are going. Im trying to figure out the differences between Apollo LA and NY. Obviously there will be mothership advantages to being in NY, in terms of working in HQ vs a smaller satellite/regional office. Is the Apollo LA office a full office or is it a satellite? From what I have seen, been told, etc they take smaller associate classes comparatively so you work more than you would at some other MFs, you do get paid more though.

 
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Apollo is probably harder to get into than KKR/BX...and TPG is a bit of a joke these days

LA office takes one associate, NY takes 3-4. LA does more consumer deals (hostess, claire's, etc.)

gracias for the info. Ya I have talked to buddies that have told me that people don't want Apollo because of the culture, but the general WSO sentiment is that its uber preftigizztous and everyone wants it.

Does anyone have first-hand experience and can shed some light on the delta?

 

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