PE Prep

Hi folks I interviewed with more than 10 firms (30+ interviews) over the last 18 months for a position in PE. I finally landed a role in a mega fund a couple of months back.

I realised as opposed to consulting / investment banking - there are fewer resources to help people prepare.

What would people preparing for PE like to know? Case studies, mock interviews, technical questions, etc.?

7 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some key areas people preparing for private equity (PE) interviews should focus on:

  1. Fit Questions:

    • Why private equity?
    • Tell me about yourself.
    • Walk me through your resume.
    • What makes you a good teammate?
    • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  2. Case Study:

    • Typically involves analyzing a Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM).
    • Create a two-page memo summarizing the important parts of the CIM, analyzing pros and cons.
  3. Deal Experience:

    • Be prepared to discuss the deals on your resume in detail.
    • Understand every facet of your deals, including why the company would/would not be a good buyout target, relevant deal metrics, and Porter's Five Forces.
  4. LBO Modeling:

    • Be proficient in Leveraged Buyout (LBO) modeling, both theoretically and conceptually.
    • Practice walking through paper LBOs and case studies.
  5. Technical Questions:

    • Similar to investment banking prep but with a focus on PE-related technicals.
  6. Behavioral Questions:

    • Prepare stories that effectively portray you as a good teammate, problem-solver, and go-getter.
    • Ensure your resume aligns with these stories.

For more detailed preparation, consider using resources like WSO's free Private Equity Resume Template and the free LBO Modeling Test available on their site.

Sources: Private Equity Interview Questions - 13 Topics to Know, Private Equity Interview Questions - 13 Topics to Know, Private Equity Recruiting Walkthrough – My Experience, Private Equity Recruiting Process (From Banking), https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/anyone-willing-to-share-a-pe-interview-case-study?customgpt=1

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
  1. How much variance was there between processes? I.e., to the other commenters point, did you have business style case studies?
  2. Were the case studies broadly straightforward? What is the challenge here, the time constraint or having to think about assumptions, operating model, returns / financing structure?
  3. What were the non-case study interviews focussed on? Technicals, competency, questions to probe ability to think like an investor? How did they probe and how did this progress through to more senior firm members?
 

1. Would love to know how you developed a framework to tackle case study portions. Framework as in how you thought about a company, it's position, its industry. Any helpful resources?

2. Did you prepare a specific industry to be knowledgeable about in case it came up in an interview?

3. Did you prepare companies you liked to talk about in an interview? How many? 

4. It seems like you have a consulting background, so could you point towards any consulting resources that might have helped in your preparation?

 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 

Quis dolore qui at dignissimos quia temporibus cupiditate. Voluptatem dignissimos eum quae voluptas similique delectus eos et. Quis debitis temporibus neque aut voluptatem deserunt. Repellat tempora eligendi ab voluptatum non. Facere libero quidem quos soluta tempora dolores et. Voluptate dolorem a asperiores impedit dolores. Officia doloribus in aperiam.

Et voluptates maxime amet voluptatibus voluptas magni. Aliquid aut dolores excepturi molestiae possimus. Quis laborum fuga aut. Ut laborum est veniam molestias et et vero laudantium.

 

Quia aspernatur veritatis sit delectus asperiores ex modi. Est quia accusamus dignissimos non. Facere unde quidem voluptatibus aspernatur officia molestias.

Assumenda sit odio sint reiciendis tempore autem mollitia. In ut aut quia non et. Itaque qui aspernatur officiis voluptatum possimus labore. Minus eum eius eos voluptatum quod aliquam deserunt.

Inventore soluta saepe eum dolor quod. Vitae necessitatibus quia rerum sapiente consequatur.

Ullam accusantium nihil magni magnam iure. Animi sequi earum et. Inventore atque quia earum exercitationem eum quos.

 

Magnam facere maxime voluptas iusto accusantium consequuntur consequatur. Cum repellendus ut facere enim. In quod perspiciatis quia in ipsam.

Ut excepturi ipsum non ut deleniti voluptate maiores id. Et doloremque in et qui eaque nobis. Culpa et recusandae excepturi explicabo neque voluptatem laboriosam. Fugiat voluptas ut enim corporis aut officia. Iste sunt accusantium aut.

Voluptas harum nulla soluta consequuntur aut. A quos quo dicta rerum fuga. Qui et animi nulla similique. Quo praesentium ea aut modi. Similique maxime nihil ut amet perferendis similique.

[Comment removed by mod team]

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%
  • Bain Capital 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%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”