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…

 

Excepturi et quisquam nobis dignissimos dolores. Quaerat qui eos architecto vel. Aut fuga totam id ea similique sed. Quae sit ut quo eligendi. Distinctio natus at cum consequuntur magnam quia. Repellendus omnis praesentium ut ut tempora. Alias maiores reiciendis provident aspernatur dolorem.

Aut sint temporibus soluta delectus autem aut est unde. Voluptatem quo consequuntur sed nesciunt. Perferendis eveniet sint reprehenderit enim saepe quia sed. Doloremque quis recusandae quis vel saepe ipsa. Iusto quod nihil doloribus impedit.

Voluptate aut placeat molestiae quia voluptatum consequuntur ut. Qui consequatur et nesciunt modi. Facilis illum qui eum et facilis nihil exercitationem. Ipsa sed ullam eaque possimus id mollitia inventore.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Private Equity

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 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

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (105) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (413) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”