Partner interviews - How do they differ?
When proceeding to final round interviews, you are being interviewed by someone with a senior position. Considering that, what is the main differences? Examples of cases? What weird curveballs have you had to answer?
If you reach that point you've probably done all the technicals etc. So it's more or less conversation about you for 15 minutes, but sometimes they don't even ask questions directly it's more like "So why are you here" and that entails answering about who you are but ALSO why you want to work there. So you have to combine your answers and cut them down as well cause you can't ramble on for 5 minutes. But from my experience, the questions were all behavioral trying to learn about your personality. I've never had a bran teaser and hope I will never get one cause I'm terrible at them but that could happen. Otherwise, I recommend doing research on the actual person aka what deals they have done, what industry they operate in, for instance, if they are in HC Services then learn about PE consolidation, trends in that area, and form your own opinions of those things. You can ask about the Medicare CMS cuts to physicians and if you think that will affect PE interest. Most of the time they leave a good chunk to questions and that is something you can differentiate yourself in. Try not to ask the cookie-cutter questions, instead ask niche questions about their expertise and have the ability to mold that into somewhat of a conversation. e.g. reading up on deals, regulatory changes, notable events etc. That way you can ask their thoughts on how itll affect the industry and potentially some of the deals they lead. Hope this helps.
Makes sense! As I interpret it, the interviews will consist of cases and some minor personal questions. However, feels good to know that you never recieved a brain teaser.
I do not get to know the actual partner that will interview me, so would it make more sense to look into what their local office is specialized in and what kind of projects they have done recently?
Yes I would definitely look into what the local office does and do research into that area so you can speak about it at a high-level. As the comment below me mentions as well you may get some questions just simply about your interests. In one SD I ended up speaking about Hockey for 5 minutes and why I was taking the interview in the UAE for 10 and ended up getting an offer.
Well, let´s hope for something in that style than rather than case after case.. Thanks for the input!
In my experience Partner interviews are very different than other interviews and to be honest, I've always enjoyed them the most.
High-level
Expect those interviews to involve fewer technicals and more questions related to the bigger picture - do you really understand the strategic component and can make sense of the rationale behind a deal/project
why would they do this deal?
industry trends?
Motivational
In my experience, the seniors really focus if you are intrinsically motivated or if you are just a guy that's hear because you heard you can make some $$$. Make sure to be able to tie motivational questions back to your personal experience and CV.
Misc
With senior interviews, they are all different. It is not structured and people tend to ask what they are interested in. Example: one partner asked about my PB in a 100m sprint at high school; another wanted to hear more about voluntary engagements and really kept going on about one of her relatives being some social workers etc etc. While this is often a big part of the interview, it cannot really be prepared. Just make sure you are relaxed and don't try to impress them to the Max with every answer. This should be more of a laid back conversation where you can also sprinkle in questions about them.
Edit: phone formatting sucks
Thanks! That was my interpretation as well, that seniors do not really care if you perform way better in the second round of cases, but are more keen on seeing how you interact in different situations. Taking it from you, I think I will just be prepared for the similar stuff in terms of cases, but still keep in mind that it might be my personality that will be evaluated mostly in the end.
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