Why do people want to get into private equity?
Examples of solid answers to the “why private equity” question: You want to work with companies over the long-term instead of just on a single deal. You want to get exposed to the operations of companies and understand all aspects rather than just the financial ones (note: “exposed to,” not “control” or “improve”).
Because private equity investments take a long-term approach to capitalising new businesses, developing innovative business models and restructuring distressed businesses, they tend not to have high correlations with public equity funds, making them a desirable diversifier in investment portfolios.
Show your personality: Headhunters meet with dozens of investment bankers every day, so you need to be able to stand out with your own unique personality. Beyond the actual interview, create small talk with all of the people you meet at the headhunting firm and be able to talk about more than just finance.
Professional Tone:- I am interested in working at blackstone.com because it is a leading investment firm with a global reach. I am attracted to the firm's commitment to excellence and its focus on teamwork.
Coming into private equity with no experience is impossible, so finding an internship or having previous experience in a related field is highly recommended. Private equity professionals can advance fast within a firm and typically start as junior associates or analysts.
Private equity is one of the most competitive jobs to get – period. Not just in finance, but across the board. Private equity firms have very specific requirements for their hire candidates, both for entry-level analyst positions and for higher-level job openings.
- Profit Potential. Private equity investments have the potential for significant profit. ...
- Flexibility. ...
- Resilience. ...
- Portfolio Diversification. ...
- Minimal Effort. ...
- High Risk. ...
- High Barrier to Entry. ...
- Loss Potential.
So, after learning how much work you'll be putting in, you'll be happy to know that it's not all for nothing. As many people know, working in private equity can be very lucrative. While the long hours can be a deterrent, it's safe to say that you are well compensated for your hard work.
On the whole, investment bankers are drawn to private equity for its long-term focus, greater control over investment decisions, higher compensation, entrepreneurial opportunities, and the opportunity to develop a more diverse skill set.
Interviewers are looking for candidates who have a genuine passion for private equity and can bring unique perspectives to the company. They want to see that you've done your research, that you possess the necessary skills and experience, and that the career path aligns with your goals.
What to say when asked why private equity?
- Highlight that you have some transaction experience.
- Express an interest in a sector that the PE firm invests in.
- Position yourself as a long-term thinker or investor.
- Show that you know what the PE firm has invested in.
In private equity, you'll also be responsible for a lot of different tasks. The deal teams are lean and your decisions will have a high degree of permanence, which is why I'd say the stress level is overall higher in private equity than in banking. Very importantly, there's also no one around to check your work.
Culture, Diversity, and Industry Acumen
Additionally, Blackstone is committed to diversity and inclusion, so be prepared to discuss your experiences working with people from diverse backgrounds. Another key factor in the Blackstone PE interview process is your understanding of the private equity industry.
Talk about specific examples of how you can help this company achieve their goals and highlight any relevant transferrable skills that will make you stand out as the right candidate. Write down any recent achievements you can talk about or any challenges you've faced recently that might be related to this new job.
Focus on factual statements about your experience and skills, and how they apply to the job requirements. Use phrases like "I've successfully managed..." or "My experience in... has prepared me for..." and always back up your claims with concrete examples or results from your past work.
For the vast majority of first-year private equity associates, the base salary is around $135k to $155k. Then, based on fund performance, bonuses tend to range from 100% to 150% of the base salary.
For a student looking to break into one of the top 10 PE firms, your chance is 1 in 300 or 0.33%. To break into one of the top 10 hedge fund firms, your chance is 1 in 147 or 0.68%.
Getting a job in private equity typically requires a strong educational background in finance or a related field, relevant experience in areas like investment banking, and proficiency in financial modeling and investment analysis.
Private equity funds are illiquid and are risky because of their high use of debt; furthermore, once investors have turned their money over to the fund, they have no say in how it's managed. In compensation for these terms, investors should expect a high rate of return.
Private Equity Career Training
PE firms are small, tight-knit, and full of extremely smart and highly motivated people.
What is the biggest challenge in private equity?
Slow economic growth, labor issues, high interest rates, inflation, geopolitical tensions, potential recessionary pressures, and instability could all dampen fundraising and exit opportunities.
What are the cons of private equity investing? Private equity investments are illiquid: Investor's funds are locked for a certain period. As such, investors in private equity must have a long-term investment horizon and be willing to hold their investments for a few years, if not more.
Private equity investors also face greater market risk with their investments compared to traditional investments since there's no guarantee that any of the small companies in which private equity firms invest will grow at all.
State | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay |
---|---|---|
California | $89,038 | $7,419 |
Maryland | $88,832 | $7,402 |
Tennessee | $88,240 | $7,353 |
Utah | $87,969 | $7,330 |
Those who wish to broaden their horizons or simply desire a change of pace will often migrate to similar sectors such as hedge funds or portfolio management. Additional exit options include: Being hired as a chief analyst by another firm.