Books/Resources/Advice for PE Recruiting

Long time lurker on a new account. I'm an incoming 1st year IB analyst. Was wondering if anyone could suggest books or other general resources to help prepare for private equity recruiting. Have already checked out the LBO chapters of the Rosenbaum book, and currently reading Moyer's book on distressed debt. Would also greatly appreciate any general advice on the private equity recruiting process.

Thanks in advance!

25 Comments
 

Certainly planning on checking it out. Was just curious if there are any other supplemental resources I should be looking into.

 

I, like you, would like to break into PE. Having spent countless hours digging for information everywhere (WSO, Google etc.) for any specific information on the industry, I can tell you from personal experience that you have to put in a lot of effort and go bespoke.

There isn't really a go-to place for this sort of information, so keep digging intelligently and you will find good sources out there.

Modelling is not the be-all and end-all of PE. You should also spend some time researching how funds work, how/why you do due diligence etc. Try "Private Equity as an Asset Class" - I loved it, and it made me realise that modelling is just a fraction of the work.

 

In Addition to WSO PE guide (which is truth), other items I can think of:

  • M&I's Guide (I know IB is there bread and butter but they have materials as well to prep for PE interviews)
  • Streets of Walls PE guide works as well (but more surface level than others)

As for PE recruiting, there are plenty of threads (including first hand accounts) about how to prep for the process. Best advice is to reach out HHs (depends a bit on which level of IB you are at) and also make sure to do well in current well especially with M&A engagements plus the using interview guides and you should be fine. Also, make sure you know the deals listed on resume cold.

 
Marcus_HalberstramAlong the course of the last 3 years between banking and PE recruiting I've compiled a 3 inch binder of the holy grail of interview prep. It includes:

I was initially thinking I would use all these materials to create my own investment banking / Private equity interview guide. But the issue is, the more widespread the information becomes, the less effective it is. Once the information reaches a critical mass of readers, it losses effectiveness and the information no longer allows you the differentiate yourself since everyone else knows what you know. So I decided I'll just get rid of it as a one-off golden nugget of knowledge.

Hi Marcus, I can't seem to find a link to the guide you posted - is it still available? Thanks.

 

how many people will specifically see this thread? very few out of the many students that want to do banking. putting copies up for sale at a lower price will make it more useful in total because it might be diluted across 1% of people who want to work in finance. think mergers & inquisitions - anyone can see it but not many who want to work in finance do

 
kinghongkong yalite:

I like how you blatantly ask that the resources just be shared with you through PM and not with other users.

^This

well PE is competitive....

that having been said, excellent comment

"so i herd u liek mudkipz" - sum kid "I'd watergun the **** outta that." - Kassad
 

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