“My mentoring session with Andre was extremely valuable and gave me the clarity and direction I needed at an important stage of my application journey. He was kind, approachable, and generous with his time, creating an atmosphere in which I felt comfortable sharing my experiences, asking questions, and discussing my doubts openly.
One of the most helpful aspects of our conversation was his guidance on how to organize and communicate my personal story. Andre helped me understand how to connect different experiences into a coherent narrative, identify the elements that matter most, and explain their significance more clearly. His perspective was fundamental in helping me see how to present my background with greater confidence, purpose, and authenticity.
I particularly appreciated his advice on what to avoid. He helped me recognize that including every detail does not necessarily make a story stronger, and that being selective can make a message much more effective. Our discussion gave me a clearer understanding of how to avoid unnecessary repetition, keep my narrative focused, and ensure that each part contributes something meaningful to the overall application.
Andre also provided valuable guidance on how to organize the application process itself. He helped me think more clearly about priorities, how to approach the different components, and how to make the work feel more manageable. Having a clearer structure has made a difference to my mindset: instead of seeing the applications as one overwhelming task, I now feel better equipped to approach them through specific, achievable steps.
Another important takeaway was his advice on how to use the coming days effectively. Our conversation helped me understand where to focus my energy, which tasks deserve immediate attention, and how to establish a realistic plan. I left the session with a stronger sense of direction and a better understanding of how to balance thoughtful preparation with consistent progress.
What made the experience positive was the combination of practical guidance and encouragement. Andre offered suggestions in a considerate and constructive way, helping me reflect on my choices while also making me feel supported. His kindness made it easier to engage honestly with the process and to see areas for improvement as opportunities to strengthen my applications.
Overall, this session was fundamental in helping me understand both what I want to communicate and how to move forward. I now have a clearer approach to telling my story, organizing my applications, avoiding common mistakes, and planning the next few days with intention.
I am very grateful for Andre’s support and for the care he brought to our conversation. His advice gave me useful tools, renewed confidence, and a more focused approach to the work ahead. I would highly recommend a session with him to anyone seeking thoughtful guidance, practical direction, and a supportive space to develop their application narrative. The session helped me turn uncertainty into a clearer plan, and I feel much more prepared to make the most of the time ahead and present my experiences in a meaningful and convincing way.”
Sounds like pure curiosity to me. I wouldn't sweat it.
Edit: here's a better answer for you.
If your suspicions are right, and it was an ethical awareness question (it probably wasn't), you got it half wrong. In a hypothetical world, he shouldn't know what his competition charges, and you just revealed competitive info.
If he asked for any other reason (curiosity, to test your knowledge/attentiveness, etc.), then you are fine. Everyone knows what their competition charges in the real world, because they find out indirectly (from lawyers, from the pitch process, etc.).
Revealing the closing multiple on a deal is completely fine, either way. That's info he could find out from various subscription sources.
ThanVanBurenBoyz - It was a private deal. We didn't release the multiple in the press release. My bank and the PEG that purchased the company are the only ones who knew.
Edmundo Braverman - Does it make a difference that I know this MD is highly religious?
Overall, I'm trying not to freak out about this situation, but you just NEVER know. Some people make the biggest deal out of stuff like this. Some people have a strong moral compass.
One last question: one each of the deals that I listed on my resume, I listed the revenue and EBITDA for each. Each of these deals are for private companies, so these data points are not public. I assume this is pretty standard operating procedure as it pertains to deal-related resumes. Is that right? I gave him the multiple, so he was able to figure out the value of the transaction. On one hand, it IS confidential information. On the other hand, it's not like he can take that information and really DO anything with it (i.e. It's not like I told him that Coca-Cola was about to report a big quarterly loss, and he should short the stock TODAY if he wanted to make some $$$).
I would appreciate any additional feedback you can provide. I really hope that I do NOT get dinged for this. Otherwise, I'm very qualified and I meshed very well with all the people.
It's likely that the deal info is still obtainable, especially considering a PE firm was the counter party. The PitchBook Private Equity Deals Database has plenty of non-public deal information.
As for your second question, it is fine and normal to list revenue. Not as common to list EBITDA, but it's good to know when your deal experience comes up in interviews. And, again, those data points are more public than you think. You can get revenue information from plenty of places (D&B, RefUSA, etc.).
Edit: Each one of the deals that I listed on my resume...
Here's a question that I think will help clarify what I'm getting at: Do you think any MD would put a qualified candidate through the ethical test to try to ding him?
Seems like an inappropriate question to ask. This is a gray area in my opinion, but what do you think? If I got a call from a PEG asking for the multiple on a deal, I would, OF COURSE, not disclose the information.
It wasn't an ethical test.
If what he asked was wrong of him to ask, he wouldn't ding you on ethics because if he was ethical enough to do so he wouldn't want to know things he shouldn't.
Then again he could be a hypocrite.
Yeah I wouldn't put EBITDA or name the companies either, in case you're doing that too.
I'm putting revenue, EBITDA and the deal name for any closed engagements. I'm putting just revenue and EBITDA (not the name of the company...just the project name) for current engagements.
Bump. Not sure how to write these things so they get more responses. Can anyone else offer any insight? Did I cross the line?
Bump. Not sure how to write these things so they get more responses. Can anyone else offer any insight? Did I cross the line?
Bump...
Seems like a pretty grave mistake on your part to divulge that kind of information - you've given the firm an unfair competitive edge
Always good to see people with real-world knowledge taking the time to calm the nerves of candidates.
lol. Awww yeah
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