3rd year Associate with work experience in Big4 Corporate Finance in Southeast Asia here. Just had a first round interview with a regional private equity firm based out in Singapore. First half of the interview was more behavioral / introduction with the HR team, while the second half was more technical / industry & commercial sense interview with the fund's VP. Had been preparing for quite some time and I think behavioral wise I did decent, and for the technical side of things I managed to deliver most of the answers but there were two hiccups which really defeat me
There were 2 simple technical questions, one was about EV calculation and shareholding calculation, and the other was $50 depreciation and the 3 FS. These are the stuffs that I did on a day-to-day yet when I was in the interview, my brain froze and I started stumbling trying to get my point across answering the questions. Numbers wise I did get the correct answer, but to get there there were a shit load of hiccups and stuttering to get to the final output. The VP even had to ask me if I was finish with my answer because I couldn't kept the composure to walk her through my answer fluently.
Really like this shop and right now I'm beating myself over my performance. Just want some brute and honest feedbacks on whether or not I'd be dinged so I can move on applying 🙏🏿.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, it's not uncommon to feel like you've stumbled during an interview, especially when nerves get the better of you. Here's the breakdown of your situation and what it might mean:
Behavioral Performance: You mentioned you did "decent" on the behavioral side. This is a good sign, as cultural and professional fit is often a significant factor in Southeast Asia PE recruiting. Firms in the region place a strong emphasis on this aspect, so if you came across as genuine and aligned with their values, it could work in your favor.
Technical Hiccups: While you eventually arrived at the correct answers, the stuttering and lack of composure during your explanation might raise concerns for the VP. In PE, clear communication and the ability to confidently walk through your thought process are critical, especially when presenting to senior team members or clients. However, the fact that you got the correct answers is a positive—it shows you have the technical knowledge, even if nerves got in the way.
Impact of Stumbling: From previous WSO threads, candidates have shared that minor hiccups in technical interviews aren't always dealbreakers, especially if the interviewer sees potential in other areas (e.g., cultural fit, overall knowledge, or enthusiasm for the role). However, if the VP felt your communication issues were a red flag, it could weigh against you.
Next Steps:
Ultimately, whether you get dinged or not depends on how much weight the firm places on your technical hiccups versus your overall potential. Keep applying and interviewing—each experience will make you sharper for the next opportunity!
Sources: Q&A: 3rd year analyst at a boutique PE fund in the SEA region, My PE Recruiting Process, Q&A: Megafund Asia Private Equity, Q&A: 3rd Year PE Associate ($10bn+ AUM, MBO/LBO, equity, mezz, distressed debt)
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