How to discuss PE/due-diligence experience in consulting during interviews

Hi WSO. The big recommendation that I've heard when it comes to PE interview prep is knowing your deals inside out. I'm from consulting and have done several due-diligence projects. However, since the role of a consulting firm is primarily just commercial due diligence, we're "blind" to most aspects of the deal (financing/capital structure, etc.). Would I be expected to know those details for the due-diligence project deals? What are other ways to show finance skills in an interview, absent of that type of experience? Thanks!

1 Comments
 

Est aut voluptatem expedita exercitationem impedit. Et voluptatem earum beatae in expedita. Id excepturi voluptatem quidem hic. Non porro est non culpa repellat.

Laboriosam veniam eveniet dolorem aliquid eum. Praesentium nostrum necessitatibus dolorum velit. Rem omnis aut ea quaerat delectus. Pariatur qui repellat id nisi id repudiandae. Aut sed dolores deleniti dicta nemo.

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

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

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...”