Private Equity Associate

I had an initial conversation with a headhunter that lead to a 2 on 1 interview over the phone that consisted of fit type questions and talking about my relevant deal experience at my current employer. It was very conversational and was just as much about me learning about the company and if I was a good fit as it was the company determining if I was the right candidate for them. I had already had private equity experience so the bulk of the conversation was directed at my deal experience, how I look at investments, what have I learned about investing since being at my current employer etc. The interviewers seemed a bit relaxed, being located in SF, and I got the sense both from the interviewers and the initial headhunter that it was a very close "fraternity"-like office environment with regular happy hours.

The role was essentially a two and done program in which you work two years and then associates move on to other opportunities or most attend business school. It was relayed to me that former associates went on to Harvard, Stanford, and even started their own companies immediately after their two years at the company.

The interview process consisted of:

a) phone conversation with two individuals
b) case study that included a brief CIM and a requirement to create a three-statement model and write an investment memorandum regarding the potential investment opportunity
c) a super day in the SF office