Recruiting for PE at an IB where you don't own the model

Title. Curious how hard recruiting for PE if you financial modeling skills are naturally not as polished. Incoming SA27 at a bank where the associate holds the pen on the model, and analysts get some work. 

How will this affect PE/PC recruiting?

3 Comments
 

Not an issue as long as you can pass model tests. Honestly, the modeling you do on the job doesn’t prep you for the model tests, so you have to study either way.

 
Most Helpful

Aligned, just self study and know your deals well.

Arrive with perspectives on the companies (would you invest, pros/cons, industry trends, etc.) and a crisp talk-track on your role (workstreams managed, analyses performed (ideally can provide other examples of Excel/analytical prowess without owning the model)).

Also, an extra PSA (not that you mentioned this), but don't fake it. If you have two deals - (i) high profile but you had a tiny part and barely know the business, (ii) you owned a ton but it's small/unsexy, absolutely focus on (ii). Interviewers want to test your thinking skills and get a sense for what you're learning on the job, a big EV won't impress anyone.

 

Nobis rerum facilis in rerum magnam. Incidunt ea expedita veniam sit. Corrupti ut error tempora est aut dolorem.

Ratione pariatur ut atque. Non excepturi vero incidunt ducimus enim et. Et illo dolores ipsam perferendis fuga ullam enim.

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 (273) $126
  • 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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”