Yeah, I think there's definitely a trend of more and more PE firms wanting to recruit right after undergrad. A lot of the skills you traditionally learn in investment banking—like modeling, Excel, PowerPoint, and other technical skills—you can actually pick up by going straight into private equity. Plus, with so many online resources, you can even learn a lot before you start your PE role.
So if you get a solid private equity offer right out of school and your long-term goal is PE anyway, it usually makes sense to take it. You skip the stress of on-cycle or off-cycle recruiting in banking, which is risky and doesn't guarantee a PE offer anyway. Personally, there were probably only a handful of banks I would've chosen over my PE offer—maybe Goldman, Evercore, or Morgan Stanley. Otherwise, I would've taken a top PE firm over almost any bank. You just go straight into a great firm, avoid recruiting stress, and still get amazing experience.
Yes and no. All of my interviews had technicals, but interestingly, the PE firm I joined didn't ask me any. They focused almost entirely on behavioral questions. Same thing with Vista and Alpine, from what I've heard—they care more about culture fit, work ethic, and whether you're genuinely interested in the industry.
They'll ask about your views on tech, the market, and industry trends—because that shows real interest in the job. Analytical thinking and asking good questions about companies matter a lot in PE interviews. In banking, there's more of a mix of technical and behavioral. But technicals are table stakes—everyone is expected to know them.
What really makes you stand out is how you present yourself, the quality of your answers, and especially the questions you ask the interviewer. I think that last part is underrated. Doing research on the firm or the interviewer, and asking a unique, thoughtful question can really impress them. That helped me a lot at the private equity firm I joined—the level of detail in my questions left a strong impression.
Yeah, totally. For example, the PE firm I joined focuses a lot more on your background and upbringing. They'll ask about events in your childhood that shaped you, what drives you, and what motivates you. I didn't see that as much in banking.
In banking, the behavioral questions are more standardized. In PE, they can get more specific—sometimes industry-related, sometimes very personal—because they're trying to assess if you're a good cultural fit for the firm.
My interest in technology definitely helped. It gave me the ability to ask more niche questions, and I always did deep research beforehand.
For example, at the PE firm I joined I asked about a deal the interviewer worked on and even mentioned listening to a portfolio company CEO's podcast. I pointed out that the company was global but hadn't yet expanded into a specific niche, and I asked for his thoughts on that.
He was impressed by the level of detail. That kind of preparation and specificity really makes you stand out.
Honestly, not really. What helped me most was the people I did mock interviews with—mentors in college, alumni, and others who had interviewed at those same firms. Having people to mock with is huge. They know what the interviews are like, what questions are common, and can help you prepare.
I'm not sure how a platform like IB Vine could replicate that, since it would basically have to become a mentorship network. But I think everyone should have access to people who can mock them for the specific firms they're targeting.
I went through the IB Vine questions, the 400 technicals from the Breaking Into Wall Street guides, and did a ton of mocks. Honestly, mocks were the biggest factor.
For example, before my Evercore superday, I did mocks with people who had interviewed there before, so I knew the types of questions that usually came up. Practicing live with people who've actually gone through those interviews makes a huge difference.
I'd make my decision about geography and focus earlier. Initially, I wasn't sure if I wanted to recruit for tech and West Coast roles or keep New York in the mix. I didn't fully commit until December, which split my energy.
Looking back, I wish I had focused entirely on West Coast tech earlier. It would've been easier to stand out in interviews when you're fully aligned with what you're passionate about.
Freshmen should join clubs, meet upperclassmen, and build relationships. Those connections will be key when it's time for mock interviews and networking.
For sophomores, the summer should be about mastering technicals and being very solid on them. Starting in the fall—around October—network heavily, but do it genuinely. Get to know people on a personal level, stay in touch, and build real relationships. That will carry you through recruiting season.