Private Equity success (or failure) stories

Hey team,

I'm surprised there aren't that many detailed "PE recruiting stories" on WSO. Would really appreciate it if people would share theirs or point me in the direction of a few good ones. I saw the "my 4 part recruiting process" post and that was quite helpful. Anything else would be great!

I'm MBB, interested in upper MM and some MFs.

 

Honestly talking to people in the industry helped me a lot too. I don't just mean those formal coffee networking chats - but trying to spend time with younger pe associates and vps in a casual setting - even if you don't talk about finance - getting an intimate understanding of the type of personalities / how they think about life etc helps a lot. Made me more confident in interviews.

 

@ bankerella2

Definitely agree that this would be very helpful. My one concern is about how honest I can be with questions/in discussions with people already at the firms I plan to interview. Aren't they going to be somewhat evaluative? Maybe I should just get a bit more interview ready, and then reach out for coffee chats and the like?

Thanks in advance.

 

Well I meant to learn generally about the industry / the types of personalities there. Obviously can't be direct if they will evaluate you. Definitely be prepared before you meet them, but that said don't go overboard. ... I feel like I was too nervous and wanted to super duper prepare - In the end I missed out on some opportunities. Better to get your name out there and try. With each one you become better and better.

 

I am currently a 3rd year analyst at BB bank. It took me quite a while to secure a job in middle market PE at the end of my second year. WSO guide is good, but it is not enough to get prepared for interviews. I suggest you create detailed deal notes and know the numbers. They can ask you absolutely anything, so be prepared to talk in-depth about the deals you worked on. My suggestion is to practice actual PE case studies and modelling tests. My group has a secret PE prep folder where every analyst saves case studies and other materials from their interviews.

 
Best Response

Laborum dolorem magni nulla ratione optio odit. Temporibus ipsam omnis qui alias aliquid. Delectus doloribus facere sunt in. Iure ut nihil omnis nemo ratione voluptas occaecati.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 99.0%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.4%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.4%
  • Ardian 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Bain Capital 99.0%
  • Blackstone Group 98.4%
  • Warburg Pincus 97.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (22) $569
  • Vice President (92) $362
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (90) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (205) $268
  • 1st Year Associate (387) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (29) $154
  • 2nd Year Analyst (83) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (246) $122
  • Intern/Summer Associate (32) $82
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (314) $59
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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
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...”