Interview tips for a Private Equity internship

I think my biggest tip would be to be yourself. Not saying you would do this, but hiring managers can usually see through any bullshite you put out, whether it's personality or knowledge based.

I am in PE and want to get the hell out of it.

Best advice I can give you is really sell your non finance background because that is what will separate you. Alot of PE firms like candidates who differentiate themselves and bring a different perspective.

Be able to think on your feet and know how to bring value to a business.

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Just wondering if you guys have any specific tips when it comes to interviewing for a Private Equity internship and if there are any particular skills they look for in a candidate?

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Why private equity? Why this firm? How does your previous experience help add value to us? Why should we hire you over someone with XYZ experience? I assume you've practiced doing a case study in their core/one of the core investment industries.

Is this for a summer internship or one during the school year?

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It is a very small firm. I think they are still in the deal sourcing and filtering stage.

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What's their $AUM? Growth equity, LBO? When did they raise/close their latest fund - has the fund size always trended upward?

Deal sourcing/screening gets old quick - I'd ask specifically if you will be able to work on post integration and due diligence/valuation/modeling aspects.

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PE should filled with entrepreneurs who understand how to create value to a business. Yet the vast majority of people entering PE are emotionless souls who are excel samurais but don't know anything about creating value to a business.

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Both are definitely needed - industry SME or resident CEO's are best utilized by adding value in the areas/businesses they know; no real reason they should be doing market research/financial modeling.

I've been in the IT industry for 6 years and been on both sides of the interview table. I can tell you from experience especially in your case for an intership many of the candidates will have similar resumes so you need to stand out.

1. Dress to impress. Khakis and a button down will not get you remembered. If you feel a suite is overkill at least wear a blazer and tie.

2. Look professional. Wear a watch show up with a binder and pen and extra resume's incase someone at the table doesn't have one.

3. Ask questions. When the interview is coming to an end and they ask if you have any quesitions ask a few to prolong the interview and make yourself look very interested. DO NOT ask about wages or time off but do ask things like what the position intels or how long the intership is for. Even if you know the answer you want to ask something here to let them know you're seriously interested.

4.Most importantly be overly personable. Many times like I mentioned there will be more than one candidate worthy based on the resume so you want to come of as someone these guys / gals won't mind spending 40 hours a week around. Laugh at their jokes, smile, and if the opportunity arises to get off the subject on football or fishing ect... partake in the discussion.

5. This goes back to the previous but in the beginning when they ask you to tell them about yourself they don't want to hear where you went to high school and who your first girlfriend was. Tell them where you're from and immediately go into your experience / schooling relavent to the position.

Sit up straight
Make eye contact
Firm hand shake

Most importantly be likeble like I said you want to come off as a dude they won't mind working with for the next 6 months