Trending Content - Hedge Fund Forum
Career Resources
WSO Free Modeling Series - Now Open Through
August 31, 2026
9 Free Financial Modeling Lessons
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
High Finance Applications
Guaranteed
Get at least one offer GUARANTEED
- 1:1 support
- 92% success rate
- 2,000+ mentor network
- Unlimited Live bootcamps
- AI for resume + LinkedIn
- Networking automation tools
- HireVue simulation tool
- Full course library
- Private Slack community
- 20hrs of mocks
- + much more...
What do you mean when you say "lifestyle". Do you mean lifestyle at work? Lifestyle in general? How big of a HF are we talking about here?
Interviews should center around your analytical abilities, sector/industry knowledge (if the fund hires sector specific analysts), modelling competency, pitching stocks, why you want to work for the fund, general fit questions, etc.
Hours & overall quality of life. Put it this way, I am currently an M&A banker working 80-100 hrs per week. I am intelligent enough to understand pay, type of work, general environment depends on a lot of factors. But in general, are people working 7 to 7 and no weekends? In general, is there a lot of travel?
I know a lot about PE, but know far less about life and day to day of HF professionals. Very curious, and just started to get up to speed.
I interviewed at a small (~$400mm aum) long/short hf for a pot MBA position last week. I can address your questions for this particular fund, but it's very hard to speak in generalities about hf's.
Interview: The only technical direct question I got was "how do you calculate FCF?", and they asked me the more generic "if I gave you a week to research a company and make an investment recommendation how would you approach it?". Other than that it was all fit/background questions.
Lifestyle: They are in the office by 630 every morning, since it's a west coast firm, but they leave by 5 most evenings and rarely work weekends. They travel 1-2 times per month while doing there due diligence on potential investments.
Sorry I can't give you much detail here. I'd like to hear some from people in the industry, and I'm sure the answers will vary a lot.
7 to 7 with no weekends is a good ballpark number. This number can fluctuate depending on market conditions, but you will definately have the time and flexibility to have a life and family. We have guys that will leave early to coach their kids, play intramural sports, etc. Some guys will come in the office earlier so they can leave by 5:30pm.
Depends on the due diligence philosphy of the fund. Generally speaking, you'll probably hit the road 2-3 times per quarter to meet management and attend various conference.
i agree with 7-7 with no weekends. I do 6-6, but same thing.
I am pretty heavy on the travel schedule this spring which is about 1 time every 3-4 weeks for about 3-4 days...
8:30 or 9 AM to 8 PM is pretty much the norm, with no weekends.
Slacker =)
OK, then for those already at funds, when it comes to an interview, what are the biggest hurdles you think I would have to overcome?
My brief background:
1) Class '05 Associate in M&A at BB in NY (ranked highest in '05 class) 2) Wharton MBA, Top 30 Undergrad 3) Finance side at start-up prior to B-school (corp dev, strategy and day-to-day ops).
Voluptates est quisquam odio facere itaque ullam veritatis. Aut at voluptas deserunt consequatur sapiente delectus.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...