Good questions to better gauge culture and longterm fit of a startup PE fund?

In the process interviewing with a small fund (5-10 investment/operators) about to raise its first large ($300M+) institutional round. The team is top notch and has a track record investing alongside other top funds in their vertical. They've indicated the new hire would have a longterm path within the firm which is an exciting thing to see looking at what well known firms (top decile returns) the GPs have helped build previously. For the past 3 years I've worked to try and end up in a PE fund investment role focused on execution and portfolio work, which is what this job is being described as since they have their own sourcing engine built already. My current role at a large corp investor is more sourcing focused and little execution, but I know that will change in several more years time. Culture of my small team is great as well, the only complaints I'd have would be to the decentralized bureaucratic structure of the overall corp and below market pay. I'm worried though about falling into "grass is always greener" looking at this opportunity and not appreciating the culture and a solid longterm position I'm in now to go work with a team whose culture I know very little about.

What are questions you would recommend as helpful for gauging the culture of a small team while also showing them that I'm thinking seriously about them for the longterm?

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (20) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
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

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...”