I don't have any sell-side deal experience only financings. For PE interviews, do you think it's okay to talk about M&A pitches that I've done that we lost?
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Based on the most helpful WSO content, discussing M&A pitches, even if they were unsuccessful, can still be valuable in PE interviews. The key is how you frame your experience. Focus on the thought process, strategy, and insights you gained from the pitch. Highlight your role, the valuation work, competitive positioning, and any unique perspectives you brought to the table.
For example, you can discuss how you approached the pitch, the rationale behind your recommendations, and what you learned from the process. This demonstrates your ability to think critically and apply your knowledge, which is crucial in PE. Just ensure you avoid being overly detailed about the loss itself and instead emphasize the skills and experience you gained.
Sources: Private Equity Recruiting Walkthrough – My Experience, Private Equity Recruiting Process (From Banking), Private Equity Recruiting Walkthrough – My Experience, PE Funds that Win - and IB that Tries, How to Talk About PE Deal Experience?
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Which would be better to talk about in a PE interview? A pitch we lost (where i did the entire thing) or a debt financing
Your experience is what it is. I'd much rather hear about deals/experience where you had actual responsibility and perspectives on the business than something that sounds good (deal closed, etc.) but you had minimal involvement or don't understand the company.
I'd suggest sequencing the deals on your resume based on actual experience/ability to speak to them and not strictly deal stage.
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How would you frame talking about a sell-side pitch?
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