phone call with MD at PE firm

I got a phone call with a MD at a PE firm coming up. I am at lost to what to ask him as I am not really used to talking to someone so senior. His general background/portfolio companies are already on the website so those questions are out.

Thanks.

4 Comments
 

What type of strategy is the PE firm?

Ask him about how they source deals, characteristics of the industries they focus on, how their strategy is different from their closest competitors, and how they typically exit their investments.

Even though the background of some of their portfolio companies is on the website, have him walk you through one of their past deals, so you can get an idea of how they create value. (Are they just taking private companies public to sell at a higher earnings multiple? Do they cut costs? Do they do M&As to expand their port co's or grow them organically? Do they bring in new management? What size of deals do they like? Are these growing companies or ones that need to be turned around? )

 

You could ask him what the portfolio companies all have in common that attracted the PE firm to partner with them. (not just industry but management styles, growth possibilities, new patented production technology?)

Ask what he thinks are the most critical skills or perspectives that a newbie needs to be successful.

There is talk of a shortage of good entrepreneurs/businesses with invest-able/scale-able ideas in today's landscape. Does he agree with that? What are their major screens to pick portfolio companies?

 

Ask him what they're seeing in the market now-exits for existing portfolio companies, value opportunities, financing environment

There have been many great comebacks throughout history. Jesus was dead but then came back as an all-powerful God-Zombie.
 
Best Response

Aspernatur quia consectetur dolor quos sed officiis necessitatibus. Omnis qui itaque omnis qui excepturi sed doloribus. Quia quis facilis aut quo in quam.

Dolorem aspernatur quia ipsam natus magni ducimus sequi non. Error rerum id qui. Voluptatibus cumque minima est aliquam modi iusto. Ea doloribus ratione est in ipsum. Ipsam similique ea sunt non. Molestiae rerum quam sed repellat dolor ut totam.

Molestias omnis quia et eos et. Eaque inventore hic ipsam distinctio consequuntur aut ut. Vel sed molestiae non labore tenetur dignissimos.

Iure aliquid sit officiis doloribus aperiam perferendis. Distinctio consequatur ea possimus et sit rerum quasi. Quas sunt quam consequatur dolorum. Quam est facere consequuntur repudiandae ea unde. Dolore ab aperiam repudiandae nihil omnis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”