1st round PE interview (1h w/ Partner) - questions they might ask?
Hi all,
I have been an Analyst at a BB in the Nordics for about 1 year and two months. HH reached out and have scheduled an interview with a PE in the coming days.
Have a first round interview (1h) with the partner of a middle size PE firm soon and wonder if someone could recommend a definitive guide on questions to expect or comment below?
As I have only worked for over a year I am not sure how deep they will dig but would really appreciate some advice.
In addition to general LBO questions or what a good target could look like etc. (please correct me / inform me if I am wrong), they could very well test me on a paper LBO, ask me about what I know about their portfolio companies or ask me about a good company I believe would be a suitable investment today?
As I do not have to many days to prepare, I would really like to focus on the most important.
Thanks a lot, really appreciate it!
Best, Analyst
The conversation will likely be mostly behavioral and fit e.g. your story, why this fund, your career goals, relevant stories from your work experience, etc. It's very unlikely you will get asked technical questions (as that's the job of the more junior staff during an interview process). Try to demonstrate all the traits of a good employee e.g. be personable, a good attitude, etc.
Thanks a lot! Much appreciated :) Do not have that much PE interview experience but was leaning towards that answer as well. Maybe the second round will be 1h LBO / paper LBO or very technical w more junior staff.
Maybe worth mentioning they are focused on consumer / business services. So would not expect any “infra-like” deep questions or case study.
Lol at your ask for a "definitive" guide on what to expect on a conversation with a partner. There is no template for these types of conversations, but if I were you I'd have your story down, why you want to work at that firm, why PE, why MM PE, why their space in particular, know your deals inside and out, know the recent deals they did and have thoughts on them, have some research on the space they invest in and what's going on, what you like in that space, refresh on the basic technicals just in case you get asked them (unlikely you get asked these, but doesn't hurt to prep for them) and as the other poster said, be kind and confident, act like a normal person, and have 3-5 decent questions prepared.
Thanks for your input, appreciate it!!
Obviously there is not a definitive guide for anything 😂😂
Haha, I was just giving you a hard time. Good luck with the interview.
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