Short Interview ... Long Conversation

I had an interview today at a small PE fund of funds group and I am unsure if it was positive or not. The first question they asked was whether or not this was my first or second interview. (In general, the process has been very unstructured and unclear.) Then, I spoke about my experience and the interviewer said you are clearly qualified for this position. Then she asked three behavioral questions and I answered them mediocrely, she seemed unimpressed. At about halfway through the interview, the interviewer asked if I had any questions and we had a long conversation and the interview went over double time. I could tell that the interviewer seemed excited about my questions and impressed by my knowledge. I feel like I either totally botched the interview or it went really well, what do you think?

6 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Do you feel like it turned into you interviewing her? If that's the case, that's usually a pretty good sign. You mentioned it was a smaller shop, so was this a person with clout and seniority there (vs some gatekeeper stooge from HR, and please god not an outsourced HR at that for the sake of all humanity)?

Also, just because they didn't come back fanning flames of praise at you about behavorial responses doesn't mean you swung and missed. A lot of times they'd rather bring on someone who's ready to play ball and produce results instead, regardless of if you're the next Thiel or PTJ in waiting.

The poster formerly known as theAudiophile. Just turned up to 11, like the stereo.
 

Recusandae atque dolor in consequatur sit. Et rem reprehenderit ut est in qui. Tenetur voluptates ut delectus at provident. Delectus laboriosam non totam asperiores velit delectus veritatis. Qui eos ex explicabo voluptatem architecto cupiditate architecto. Magnam qui in temporibus soluta doloremque maxime soluta deleniti. Vero illo ipsa laboriosam dolor provident quasi.

Earum omnis quia at ex quo. Consequatur nobis nam laudantium voluptatem soluta.

Maxime assumenda quod aut reiciendis molestiae nulla. Fugiat sed necessitatibus sint velit laudantium praesentium. Quisquam explicabo sint repellendus harum accusantium.

Totam nostrum quia tempora soluta iure. Saepe eum sit quidem voluptate. Eum nihil sit qui ut animi mollitia fugiat. Et assumenda eum ab.

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) 99.2%
  • 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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”