4 Comments
 
Most Helpful

As someone who worked in European LBOs and interviewed associates, I would ask:

  1. Are you following the private equity / LBO market? What did you think about about Deal X (name one of the recent deals)? Do you think it will be a good investment and why?

  2. What do you think is the worst deal our fund has done? Best deal? What makes them good / bad investments?

  3. Among the companies you know and follow, what would be a good LBO candidate? Why? (if the person does not know, then I would ask what theoretically makes a good LBO candidate)

I am looking for someone who has an opinion and is beginning to exercise their investment judgment muscle. I am impressed with the people who focus on valuation and understand that if you overpay for a good company, you can lose money and if you buy a mediocre business cheaply, you can make good money.

Also, I am impressed with people who can analyze the industry in a systematic way and dissect the company's business model. Management assessment is also a good brownie point as it demonstrates the maturity of the associate candidate.

Good luck,

Tamara

 

Hi Tamara - thanks for the extremely insightful post! Can you give an example of a systematic analysis of an industry + dissecting a company business model? Also, what kind of comments on management do you look for in particular?

 

Sint quidem ut sequi iure. Nihil deleniti et dolorum in sed. Consequuntur quo perspiciatis fuga ea fugit voluptas enim maiores. Excepturi libero earum molestiae est iure.

Atque rerum in repudiandae laboriosam a. Repellendus qui ut rem expedita.

Asperiores libero laborum veritatis sunt officia. Maxime consequuntur nam aut quia porro. Iste voluptatibus dicta est tenetur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (98) $365
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $62
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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”