Technical interviews in consulting-friendly funds
I recently interviewed with several consulting-friendly PEs (think Bain Capital, Advent, TPG, etc.) and built 30+ models from previous years' rounds. Even with this preparation, the technical interviews were surprisingly tough. Why do these funds demand such advanced modeling skills from consultants, given our different background from bankers? How can consultants best prepare for this?
Consulting-friendly private equity funds, such as Bain Capital, Advent, and TPG, place a high emphasis on advanced modeling skills for several reasons, despite the different backgrounds of consultants compared to bankers. Here's a breakdown of why these skills are crucial and how consultants can best prepare:
Bridging the Skill Gap: Consultants traditionally excel in strategic thinking and problem-solving but may lack the deep financial modeling experience that bankers acquire through deal-making. PE funds require advanced modeling skills to ensure all team members can immediately contribute to evaluating deals, conducting due diligence, and managing portfolio companies. This demand helps bridge the skill gap between consultants and bankers.
Complex Investment Decisions: The nature of private equity investments involves complex financial structures, leveraged buyouts, and detailed operational improvements. Advanced modeling skills enable consultants to accurately assess investment opportunities, forecast financial outcomes, and support value creation strategies post-acquisition.
Competitive Landscape: The PE industry is highly competitive, with funds constantly seeking an edge in identifying and executing on investment opportunities. Consultants with strong modeling skills can provide a unique perspective, combining their strategic insights with rigorous financial analysis to identify and capitalize on opportunities that others might overlook.
How Consultants Can Prepare:
Deepen Your Modeling Skills: Take advantage of resources like WSO's financial modeling courses, which cover the essentials of DCF, M&A, LBO, and other models relevant to PE. Practice building models from scratch to understand the underlying assumptions and mechanics.
Leverage Case Studies: Many consulting-friendly PE funds use case studies in their interview process. Practice with past case studies and focus on translating strategic recommendations into financial models. This will help you think like an investor and understand how operational changes impact financial outcomes.
Network with PE Professionals: Engage with professionals working in consulting-friendly PE funds to gain insights into their work and the technical skills they value. This can also provide you with practical advice on transitioning from consulting to PE and what to expect in technical interviews.
Participate in PE Competitions and Simulations: Engaging in PE competitions or simulations can provide hands-on experience with the types of analysis and modeling required in the industry. This practical experience is invaluable and can significantly enhance your preparation.
By focusing on these areas, consultants can better prepare for the rigorous technical demands of consulting-friendly PE funds and position themselves as strong candidates despite their non-banking backgrounds.
Sources: What are the Academic Backgrounds of Consultants?, Why do MBAs seem to favor consulting over banking nowadays?, Why are so many consultants eager to leave?, Why is an athletic background so prized?, IB background not welcomed in consulting?
Can you give an example of the difficult model tests you faced? I.e. add-ons, dividend recap, complex securities?
Why should these funds have to compromise their hiring standards for your lack of experience is the better question
"Why does the NYC marathon require a sub-3 hour qualifying time, don't they know I grew up playing football?"
To be fair, IB generally doesn’t prep you for those model tests anyway. You just have to grind out 25+ model tests and learn it on your own anyway. Yea you play around in some models in IB but it’s all templates you’re just tweaking and you’re really not running solo with anything until way after you’ve signed a PE offer in most cases. You have to learn it yourself either way.
1 Not sure if I’d consider TPG consult friendly - believe entire new class came from banking, though what do I know
2 Apply your logic on concessionary interviews to other fields and it’s ridiculous. Grow up
If a banker were to interview for MBB, do you think they'd complain about case interviews instead of walking through $10 of depreciation?
I’ll frame it a little differently - a good model test (AKA test + debrief) tests two things: (i) basic modeling and Excel skills, (ii) ability to think critically about a business and defend an opinion.
Bankers tend to shine in part (i), consultants moreso (ii). Both are trainable skills.
Accordingly, a banker can usually ‘pass’ with like a 7-8/10 model and a 5-6/10 debrief/investment analysis. Consultants are the inverse.
I expect general serviceability on either side, but interviewers are also realistic about the types of experience you’re going to get in your seat. Said differently, you need to self-study enough to show genuine interest and grit, but there’s some pragmatic leniency in there.
In in sint modi suscipit dolor autem et. Quidem ullam numquam aut ratione quaerat. Aspernatur velit excepturi natus sed. Illo perferendis non et provident quia libero et. Facilis quo velit nisi cumque. Est at error molestiae.
Voluptatibus voluptas vel nobis quam. Ea id nostrum ab deserunt sint enim velit est. Aut perspiciatis eum ipsum delectus doloribus. Odio ullam consequatur veniam soluta dolores.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...