Two years into hell… I mean banking, and already planning my PE escape. But how do you time it right? Friends track ‘deals closed’ or ‘MD connections’, while others say just grind 30 months. What stats/patterns actually correlated with smooth transitions in your network? How early should I start courting recruiters?
metrics schmetrics. real game? make 1 MD love you enough to make 1 call. closed 20 deals but my ‘exit opp’ came from a guy i fetched dry cleaning for. bonus tip: start golfing lessons yesterday
Focus on quality over quantity: PE firms value 2-3 complex deals start-to-close vs. 10 minor updates. Track your hands-on LBO modeling hours – 400+ signals readiness. Begin informal coffee chats 6 months pre-target exit date, formal apps 3 months out.
Analysis of 300 exits: Analysts with 6+ live deals and 72hr+ direct client contact per deal had 53% higher PE placement rates. Optimal window is months 18-24 – earlier risks perception of impatience, later increases burnout penalties in interviews.