Interview Advice Needed - How to Best Approach Deal Discussion

Hi I’m currently an A2 in IB looking to get into PE. I’ve done a few interviews and realized I need to improve my interviewing skills. I find that my experience with interviewing is somewhat mixed: some go well but others not as much, even within the same period of time

I usually know my general technicals but sometimes wonder if I’m not focusing on the right areas on deal discussion. Is there a general framework or set of items you focus your discussion and key points around? Or is there an interview course that breaks down how to structure these discussions?

Would appreciate any advice

6 Comments
 

Bump. I’d be interested in improving on this as well. Noticed people aren’t always very receptive to when I walk through my deals 

 

Hey there, future PE superstar! It sounds like you're on the right track, but just need a bit of guidance to nail those interviews. I've got your back!

When it comes to deal discussions, it's crucial to focus on a few key areas. Here's a quick rundown:

  1. Fit Questions: These are all about seeing if you're a good match for the team and the firm's culture. Be ready to talk about your background, why you're interested in PE, and what you can bring to the table.

  2. Case Study: You'll likely be given a case study to assess your analytical skills and how you approach problems. Be ready to break down the case, identify key issues, and propose solutions.

  3. Deal Experience: This is where you get to shine! Discuss the deals you've worked on, your role, and the impact you made. Be sure to highlight any unique challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

  4. LBO Modeling: Brush up on your LBO modeling skills. You'll need to demonstrate your ability to build and interpret LBO models.

  5. Technical Questions: These will test your knowledge of finance and PE concepts. Make sure you're comfortable with topics like valuation methods, financial modeling, and deal structuring.

  6. Behavioral Questions: These questions are designed to understand your character, decision-making process, and how you handle pressure. Be ready to share examples from your past experiences.

As for resources, the WSO Private Equity Interview Prep Guide is a fantastic tool. It includes over 2,400 questions across 203 private equity funds, all crowdsourced from our members. It's like having a secret weapon in your back pocket!

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you prepare, the more comfortable you'll be when it's game time. Good luck, and remember, every monkey has to start somewhere!

Sources: Private Equity Interview Questions - 13 Topics to Know, How Do I Get Into Private Equity?, WSO Hall of Fame: Private Equity Forum

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

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