NOT prepared for PE interview - HELP

About me - first year on the job, at top NYC group at BB. I've got an interview coming up next week, and I'm so underprepared. As in, I've done no technical preparation. I wasn't even sure if I would be doing off-cycle recruiting this year, but HR at an UMM PE firm scheduled an intro call with a few associates that somehow spiraled into a first-round interview. I thought I did poorly, but somehow got invited back for another interview in their office. It's being framed as another conversation that would take "a few hours." So this is a superday, right? I can't do an LBO, I can't do a case study, and I've no idea what to expect as the previous "conversation" was an interview as well. I wanted to study this week, but it's been crazy busy (constant 3AMs). Don't know what to do at this point. I don't want to become a laughingstock at the company, but also don't want to reschedule the interview when I've already confirmed the time. Any help at all is appreciated.

3 Comments
 

100% you gotta somehow dodge some work and prepare appropriately - good luck!

Edit: your bank must expect this - maybe have a conversation with your VP/Associate or whoever will understand? I never worked at a BB and always had to interview in secret but friends of mine who did say people were pretty understanding and expected this a bit…

 

Aut et animi repellendus similique laborum. Id sit ratione neque qui vitae repellendus culpa atque. Et reprehenderit expedita fuga aut non sit ut. Illum eum et aut dolores reiciendis fugit. Ut quisquam et voluptatem et. Hic nesciunt iure repellendus.

Quidem itaque dolor ad atque rerum. Asperiores quia excepturi corporis temporibus beatae.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

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

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (351) $61
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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”