What to do?

Hey Fellow Monkeys would love to hear your advice.

Just had my second round with a MM (think big 6, RJL,etc.)with a VP and MD.

MD mentioned that he’s only doing calls with select candidates to ensure the process speeds up and the final round will be with him and the other MDs.

Had the interview yesterday.

Here’s where I think it went well:

Built good Rapport, chatted about sports and made a few jokes mentioned I’m in the “select candidate group” gave the typical “great” “good stuff” responses at the end him and I were talking about sports again and he made fun of the VP and we “shot the shit” Liked my stock pitch and said “great work name”

Here’s the bad:

stuttered on an easy question (asked about hobbies, ironic right?) Could’ve been more concise with my market outlook at the 15 minute mark after I stuttered about my hobbies the VP went into in Q&A mode Interview went 20ish minutes not the full 30 ( was offered to ask another question but didn’t feel the need to, could’ve went the full 30) VP said “thanks for your time” and MD said “thanks name we willl be in touch soon”

Overall, does it sound like I made final round?

6 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, your experience seems to have both strong positives and a few areas of concern. Here's a breakdown:

Positives:

  1. Strong Rapport with the MD: Building a personal connection, especially through shared interests like sports, is a great sign. The MD joking with you and showing a relaxed demeanor indicates he felt comfortable with you.
  2. Recognition of Being in the "Select Candidate Group": This suggests you're already viewed as a strong contender.
  3. Positive Feedback on Your Stock Pitch: The MD's "great work" comment is a strong indicator that your technical skills were well-received.
  4. Casual Interaction at the End: The lighthearted exchange about sports and the VP shows you left a positive impression with the MD.

Concerns:

  1. Stumbling on the Hobbies Question: While this is minor, it could have slightly impacted the VP's perception of your confidence or ability to handle simple questions.
  2. Conciseness on Market Outlook: Being clear and concise is critical, especially when discussing technical or market-related topics. This might have left room for improvement.
  3. Shortened Interview Time: While the MD seemed engaged, the VP's shift to Q&A mode and the interview ending early could indicate they felt they had gathered enough information but weren't fully convinced to extend the conversation.

Likelihood of Making the Final Round:

  • Strong Chance: The MD's positive feedback, rapport, and acknowledgment of your inclusion in the "select candidate group" are significant indicators that you are likely to advance.
  • Potential Risk: The VP's reaction and the shortened interview time might slightly weigh against you, depending on how much influence the VP has in the decision-making process.

Next Steps:

  1. Follow-Up Email: Send a concise thank-you email to both the MD and VP. Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role, highlight your appreciation for their time, and briefly mention something specific from the conversation (e.g., sports or your stock pitch).
  2. Prepare for the Final Round: If you make it, focus on addressing the areas where you felt less confident (e.g., concise answers, handling simple questions under pressure).
  3. Stay Positive: Even if you don't make it, the feedback and experience will be invaluable for future interviews.

It sounds like you're in a good position, but the final decision may depend on how you stack up against other candidates. Good luck, and keep pushing forward!

Sources: Real Estate Private Equity Final Round, Superday Advice From a Tired Interviewer, Basic Questions About PE Recruiting Answered, UG Recruiting Part III: The Super Day and Offer, Superday Advice From a Tired Interviewer

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Honestly, this sounds more positive than negative. The fact that the MD said he’s only speaking with select candidates and explicitly put you in that group is a strong signal. Good rapport, joking around, talking sports, and “great work” on your stock pitch are all meaningful. MDDs don’t fake enthusiasm easily, especially at that level.

The stutter on hobbies and being slightly less concise on market outlook won’t kill you. Those are minor execution things, not structural red flags. The VP switching to Q&A mode isn’t necessarily bad either; that can just mean they’re probing depth.

A 20–25 minute interview instead of 30 also isn’t a dealbreaker, especially if conversation flowed. Nothing you described screams “no.” If I had to lean, I’d say you’re very much in the mix, if not likely through.

 

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