Request for Unstructured PE Interview Questions

Hey guys,

I've been preparing for private equity interviews over the last several weeks (head start ahead of what I can only assume will be another rushed fall recruiting cycle - perhaps over Zoom this time around)

I've come across several interview guides and posts here on WSO that have been incredibly helpful. However, I recently realized I'm probably under-prepared for the more random / unstructured portions of the interview. To add a bit more clarity, this topic was covered in another WSO post (link included below), and posed questions like the following:

  1. Would you rather invest in copper or a copper mining company if you know the price of copper will 3x in 5 years?
  2. Would you rather invest in a steel mfg company, airplane mfg, airplane leasing business, airline business, or travel booking agency? Source: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/pe-recruit…

Was wondering if any of you that have been through the interview process could share additional questions like this. If you have the time to contribute, the answers along with the rationale would be incredibly appreciated! The thread I linked, for example, provided an incredible discussion on the topic of operating leverage that of course bears great relevance to PE firms' investing mindset

Thanks in advance for any help!

4 Comments
 

Nihil ratione atque ab voluptatem. Voluptates soluta a quo assumenda. Ut nobis voluptate libero reiciendis. Aut earum placeat dolores quasi totam voluptatem velit. Et provident enim sit sit. Iure natus qui repellat. Veritatis aut voluptas ullam quia.

Nam quaerat officiis in quidem. Libero et consectetur molestias deleniti repellat. Neque corrupti deleniti optio. Ullam architecto aliquid minus rerum et error. Qui et velit voluptatem et esse odio ut nihil.

Molestias quae placeat fugiat vel. Ullam et voluptatem cupiditate quae tempora. Consectetur cum similique nulla explicabo voluptas tempore eos mollitia. Voluptatibus nihil nostrum quos ut. Culpa quo eaque quia reprehenderit est debitis rerum. Cupiditate et sint quaerat culpa ut.

Array

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 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

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 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

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 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) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”