Hello,
I got an email from a Search Partners for a PE Associate role in SF. I have read up some helpful information about GIC/Temasek or broadly SWFs on WSO. However, those posts did not specifically provide insights into the interview process at Temasek.
I do have the job description from the Recruiter and it has some similarities to a PE associate job description. It is very interesting and I like what I read so far. However, given that I am not clear on what to prepare for, I hope the community can give me some guidance so I can ace the interview since this seems like a great opportunity for me to progress.
Thank you!
Is it a direct investing role or funds / co-investing?
@franco the job description mentions I will be part of the USA investment team and I will be involved with the investment process from initial screening to post-investment monitoring. Does it mean the role is related a direct investing? Or would I know more when I connect with the recruiter?
Yes, that might help you prepare better. SWFs like Temasek/GIC traditionally would do a lot of fund and co-investments. However, they have started to add direct strategies. For example, in Asia Temasek does venture/growth stage investment directly.
That description could apply to both types of investing.
franco thank you! Do you have any recommendation how I should prepare for the interview from the starting point with the recruiter? I have read some posts on here and learned that since they are the gate keepers to those firms, they would be so happy to pass on me if I do not position myself well during the conversation.
If there is a technical component of the interview, can you recommend some resources for me to read up? I understand the basics of what a co-investment and a direct investment are, but I have not done the work before so I need to learn how to walk the walk and talk the talk. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you, @franco
Here are a few suggestions but I think others might be better placed to give specific interview prep.
- Structure, size, mandate of the team in SF
- Decision making SF versus Singapore
- Investment strategy and any restriction related to CFIUS
- Capital deployment objectives
- Examples of investments made
- The role (funds/co-investment/direct; buyout/venture/growth).
- Sector focus for the role, if any (technology/healthcare/financial services etc)
Once you understand the above then you'll be able to target your preparation.
franco I have another question, Franco. Out of curiosity, before giving out the offer, does the firm which is going to hire me ask for a recommendation from my current bank? I read some posts on here and I am not sure whether it is part of the process. If they do ask for a reference from my deal team eventually, do you think at some points (again, hypothetically speaking because nothing has moved forward yet even from the recruiter side) I need to inform my deal team (perhaps VP or MD, not sure about the executive director but he is part of the team)? I do not believe now is a good time but perhaps when I am at the second interview.
What are your thoughts? I am with the current bank for about 4 months but I worked for a blue chip company which played as a strategic buyer for over a year and a few months. 😊 thank you!
I am not sure on this one (seems unusual).
I’ll let others respond to this.
No worries and thank you!
franco Can I send you a private message, Franco? I think I did but the app does not show me any sent messages, and I also think the app is quite buggy. Thanks!
Tyrone-Wells If you haven't already then check out Temasek's investment review (link below). This lists a number of their recent direct investments.
Investment Update - Investor | Temasek Review 2021
Thank you and I will check it out today.
I appreciate others' inputs as well, if you have any, regarding their interview process, what to expect after 2 rounds of interviews, whether there will be a case study. I cannot find much information online, and I hope if you have, please share with me. I thank you for that!
Both in SF are basically all direct investing at this point unless explicitly stated otherwise. Interview is going to be the same as most UMM PE associate processes. But in terms of the job itself, it might be a bit different from typical PE firms in that you might also look at public equities or VC style investments once in a while depending on the team.
Informal references (the type where they just reach out without asking you) will 100% happen if your hiring team knows someone from your bank. Formal references (the type which doesn't count and are requested from you once you are already at the offer stage) will happen but are just a formality. Fairly typical stuff.
I think I figure out that this role is an investment associate role and which is different from what the recruiter told me. I suspect the interview process is gonna be different (I understand you mentioned above that it will be similar to one at an UMM PE firm) as I am not aware that they do a lot of buyouts. Do you have any tip how to prepare for the upcoming interviews?
I have been looking for information how to source and assess early-stage companies so I may be able to speak to the topic. Besides that, I have no idea.
Thank you!
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