What is private equity?

Get an insider's overview of the buy-outs, secondaries and fund of funds sectors, as well as the working environment and what it's like to work as an investor in each of these sectors.

How to get a job in private equity

This is a complete guide to help you improve your understanding of the private equity recruitment process and the techniques you need to adopt to get a job in this market.

Interactive private equity workshops

Get personalised feedback on your CV, background and career prospects in private equity, as well as an insight into the industry and recruitment process.

Private Equity Career Counselling & Psychometric profiling

If you're finding it tough to secure a role in private equity, or if you're unsure of your next career move, this one to one career counselling session will help you understand what you need to do to get your private equity career on the right track.

Mock Private Equity Interview

Can you really afford to risk getting it wrong in a private equity interview? Creating the right impression when you first meet a private equity team is crucial to securing a role.

LBO financial modelling training

Build a full LBO model from scratch, using our unique step-by-step excel model, in the same way that a Private Equity professional would do on the job.

Financial modelling tests

Prepare for the modelling test and practice by reading this guide and taking our real modelling test examples from private equity interviews.

Business schools package

We've been supporting and working with business schools around the world for over 10 years and as a result we understand the challenges that students face when moving into private equity. That's why we created a special package with unique content and industry insight that can be specifically tailored to suit business schools and MBA programmes looking to help their students move into private equity and venture capital.

System requirements:

Windows based PC. These products are NOT compatible with MAC / iPads.
Adobe Reader version 10. Click here to download.
Please note that you can only view your purchased eBook or video on one PC, for multiple or commercial licences please contact us here.

We use PayPal to process payments, however you don't need to have a PayPal account to pay for any of our products.

What is private equity video presentation
Format: Video eBook

Presented by Rupert Bell a Consultant at Private Equity Recruitment and former private equity investor. Rupert has over 13 years private equity / growth capital experience in the UK and European mid-market, with 3i, Sand Aire and Octopus. This presentation is an insider's overview of the private equity sector and focuses on direct investments.

This presentation is an excellent complement to the news and textbook exposure you will have had to the private equity industry. You will gain practical insight into:

• What it's like to work in Private Equity
• Who invests in Private Equity
• What Private Equity firms do
• The investment process
• How leverage generates higher returns for the investor
• What types of businesses Private Equity firms buy           
• How Private Equity firms time their fund raising and why
• Compensation in Private Equity
  

What are secondaries
Format: eBook

In this eBook we’ll give you a practical perspective on what it’s like to join a secondaries team. You may have come across text book definitions of secondaries and read about the sector in the news, but until now there was nothing to tell you what you would experience as a secondaries team member. We’ve spoken to investors with several years experience in secondaries and have combined their opinions to give an overview of what you can expect.

The eBook covers:

• Background to the secondaries market
• The attractions of a role in secondaries
• Types of secondaries transaction
• Secondaries investors
• What to expect when you join
• On the job training
• How your time will be split
• Knowledge and experience required
• How to develop within the role
• The interview process: what to expect

This eBook is NOT compatible with MAC / iPads.

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How to get a job in private equity video presentation
Format: Video eBook

Presented by Gail McManus, head of Private Equity Recruitment and former private equity investor. This is a unique video presentation highlighting the recruitment process and requirements in the private equity industry.

This presentation will add value to you if you are already in a role in banking, consulting, transaction services or accounting. In the presentation Gail will explain:

• The different roles in private equity and venture capital and the skills required
• Matching your skills to the right firm 
• Psychology behind the recruitment process 
• What private equity firms are looking for 
• Top tips on how to illustrate these skills 
• Answering the key questions 
• Selling yourself successfully

A quick guide to
Getting onto a shortlist
Format: eBook

Before you can get a job in private equity you have to get on the shortlist. Getting on the shortlist needs good understanding of the selection process that recruiters go through to identify candidates for interview. Your CV is also an important factor to secure an interview with a Private Equity house. To be successful you must be able to present information succinctly and clearly and your CV will show if you are able to do this. This short guide will aid you with the Dos and Don’ts for a successful CV and will give you insight into what Private Equity firms look for when selecting candidates.

Download our free CV template and use it to create the ideal CV for private equity roles.

These eBooks are NOT compatible with MAC / iPads.

A quick guide to
Interviewing successfully for private equity
Format: eBook

Prepare and excel in your Private Equity job interview with our in depth interview guide. This short guide will help you prepare for and perform well during your interview, plus highlighting the key questions you may be asked during the interview process and how to answer them.

These eBooks are NOT compatible with MAC / iPads.

A quick guide to
Case study and modelling techniques
Format: eBook

Case studies and modelling tests are extremely valuable in helping the recruiter choose between the final few candidates. They're liked because they simulate the work environment. You may have been terrific at interviewing throughout the process, but if you don't do well enough in the case study – or someone else does it better than you – you won't get the offer. The Case Study and Modelling Techniques quick guide will provide you with the inside knowledge on how to prepare your Private Equity case study and how to practice before your test.

These eBooks are NOT compatible with MAC / iPads.

How to get a job in private equity eBook package – Pack of three eBooks
Format: eBook pack

Save money and buy the complete package of 3 guide books.

• Getting Onto a Shortlist 
• Interviewing Successfully for Private Equity 
• Case Study and Modelling Techniques 

These eBooks are NOT compatible with MAC / iPads.

We run early morning interactive workshops for a limited number of people on how to get a job in private equity. The workshops take place at our London office as well as various locations around Europe.

The workshop is presented by Gail McManus, head of Private Equity Recruitment and former private equity investor. Gail has an MBA from London Business School and has been involved in private equity for more than 20 years. She started her career with 3i in a regional office investing in some of the UK’s earliest management buy–outs. She later became 3i’s UK business development manager. Gail then moved into recruitment and started PER and has been recruiting for private equity funds for the past 15 years.

In the workshops Gail will cover:  

• The different roles in private equity and venture capital and the skills required
• Matching your skills to the right firm 
• Psychology behind the recruitment process 
• What the private equity firms are looking for 
• Top tips on how to illustrate these skills 
• Answering the key questions 
• Selling yourself successfully 

Additionally, at the end of the session, you will have

• A personalised Q&A session
• Feedback on your CV, background and career prospects

Available dates are:

People who attended the workshop said:

“PEC’s workshop has given me real insight into the PE industry, and I am confident of using my learning from the workshop to enhance my chances of getting a suitable role at a leading PE firm. With several years of solid experience in PE recruitment, Gail clearly identified strengths and weakness in my CV, and suggested several improvements which would be helpful for me to emerge as a winner in rigorous PE selection procedure. I really enjoyed every minute spent in workshop, and looking forward to PER recruitment team’s assistance in finding a suitable PE role.”

"Investment Banking Associate, Goldman Sachs"

"The workshop has given me real exposure from one of the best PE recruiters. It has filled a vacuum within my job hunting space by providing top level industry exposure, almost on a one to one basis. Over and above that, it has greatly supplemented my recent Private Equity MBA training obtained at London Business School with unique insights, which i was otherwise unaware of."

"MBA Candidate, London Business School"

After your payment has been processed, we will send you a detailed confirmation email within 24 hours. In case you are not able to attend, please inform us at least 72 hours prior to the workshop and we will arrange for you to attend on a different date.

Are you finding it tough to secure a role in private equity?

Do you have private equity, banking, consulting or big four experience?

After this private equity career advice session you will be able to:

• Identify the private equity firms who would be interested in your background
• Get the right messages onto your CV and
• Talk with impact in interview.

Gail McManus founder of PER and former private equity investor has thirty years experience in the sector and has placed hundreds of people in private equity roles.

Take advantage of her experience with two hours of face to face interaction* personalised to your background and career aspirations.

In these sessions, Gail will help you:

• Identify your strengths & weaknesses
• Match your skills to the right private equity role and firm
• Present your experience effectively in a CV
• Talk with impact in interview
• Gain a unique insider knowledge to the world of private equity
• Learn how to network effectively and understand the role of LinkedIn
• Understand your likelihood of success and plan your job search

*In central London or via Skype, according to your availability.

After your payment has been processed, we will send you a confirmation email and contact you to organise a time, date and venue that suits you for the session.

Add a Psychometric Profile and Discussion

Can you really afford to risk getting it wrong in a private equity interview? Creating the right impression when you first meet a private equity team is crucial to securing a role.

Are you already interviewing for private equity roles but haven’t been invited back?
Are you about to embark on your search for a private equity role and want to be fully prepared?

Practice your private equity interview techniques and see yourself in action in our video-taped mock interview.

The mock interview will begin from the moment you step into our office and will cover:

• The impression you make on the interviewer
• The questions you should expect to be asked
• Communicating your skills and experience effectively
• Competency based interview questions and how to respond
• Answering the question “Why private equity?”

Your interview will be conducted by Gail McManus former private equity investor and head of PER. Gail has been recruiting for private equity for the past 15 years and has placed hundreds of people in private equity roles.

The session will last approximately 1.5 hours which includes filming and reviewing your mock interview.

Be prepared to be challenged.

We are also able to offer all of our one to one training over Skype if you are unable to travel to our offices in London.

Intermediate to Advanced LBO Modelling Training
Format: Video eBook

The LBO Financial Modelling course will teach you how to build a full LBO model from scratch, using our unique step-by-step excel model, in the same way that a Private Equity professional would do on the job.

Whether you are a student interested in entering the Private Equity market, or a professional looking to improve your financial modelling skills, look no further. This is the course that will boost your profile.

The course covers all the principles of financial modelling, as well as detailed explanations of what is involved in an LBO, and how to approach the spreadsheet. It is 100% focused on excel, and it has been developed by a team of highly experienced financial modellers from Private Equity and Corporate Finance backgrounds.

The course is delivered as a set of downloadable videos that complement an excel model, which means that you can work anywhere, anytime and at your own pace.

You will also receive 6 months access to an experienced financial modeller who will be able to answer any questions related to the model.

Course Contents*

Chapter 1- Principles of Financial Modelling (click on the link to watch chapter 1 for free)
Chapter 2- What is an LBO?
Chapter 3- Operating Model and EBITDA
Chapter 4- Revenues and Cost of Goods Sold
Chapter 5- Other Operating Expenses
Chapter 6- Depreciation
Chapter 7- Other Current Assets
Chapter 8- Financial Model - Sources and Uses of Cash
Chapter 9- Senior Debt
Chapter 10- Mezzanine Debt
Chapter 11- Shareholder Loan
Chapter 12- Revolver and Waterfall
Chapter 13- Equity
Chapter 14- Exit Event and LBO Returns

*The course assumes that the user has a basic understanding of accounting and excel
This course requires a windows based PC and is NOT compatible with MAC / iPads.

Modelling Test Training Guide
Format: Excel eBook

It’s becoming increasingly common for private equity recruiters to include a financial modelling test as part of the assessment, this will always be in Excel. This guide provides practical examples on concepts that are often missed by candidates when facing a modelling test and will give you the confidence to stand out in this stage of the interview process.

This guide is suitable for those preparing for an interview with a private equity fund or currently in an interview process.

It will cover a number of techniques you’ll find useful in putting together an LBO financial model during the interview including*:

• How the financial statements are integrated
• How to create sensitivity tables using the Excel TABLE function
• Compound interest and inflation as a concept
• How to convert any rate to annual, quarterly or monthly according to the timeline of the model
• Compound Annual Growth Rate
• Calculation of the Internal Rate of Return; and Net- Present- Value using the IRR, XIRR, NPV and XNPV Excel formulas
• A very simple LBO example

This guide also includes two full financial modelling tests based on real examples from private equity interviews, one for an LBO and one for a real estate investment, both with detailed solutions.

We’ll also give you six months access to an experienced financial modeller who will be able to answer any questions related to the modelling concepts and tests in this guide.

*The guide assumes that the user has a basic understanding of financial modelling and excel.
This guide requires a windows based PC and is NOT compatible with MAC / iPads.

Financial modelling full training package
Format: Video and Excel eBooks

Save money and buy out best selling package which includes both the LBO Financial Modelling Course and the Financial Modelling Test Training Guide.

This package will teach you how to build and LBO model step by step and once you're confident in your modelling skills, you can test your knowledge by taking the two tests that are included.

You will also receive six months access to an experienced financial modeller who will be able to answer any questions related to the modelling concepts and tests included in this guide.

This package requires a windows based PC and is NOT compatible with MAC / iPads.

Standalone Advanced LBO Model
Format: Excel

This standalone excel model was built by private equity modelling professionals and was tested in real transactions. It is the result of extensive research into existing models used by top private equity firms. It is currently being used as a learning tool by private equity MBA students in some of the worlds top business schools as well as by potential private equity professionals.

This is not a step by step tutorial, but a thorough model that can be used as soon as it is downloaded*. The model includes a video that explains how to work with the file, as well as a downloadable guide with detailed explanations of the instruments included in the model.
You can adapt this model to your own needs or use it as a reference in a real transaction.

This is the next natural file to master once you have grasped the LBO financial modeling training.

You will also receive 6 months access to an experienced financial modeller who will be able to answer any questions related to the model.

• A fully integrated yearly financial model
• A robust and slick model
• A clear structured spreadsheet
• Stub periods- Ability to model mid-year transactions
• Historical and forecast financials
• Ability to model different scenarios
• The transaction summary: sources and uses table
• The new capital structure
• Debt tables- Senior Debt, Mezzanine, Revolver, Shareholder Loan, Equity …
• Payment in kind (PIK)
• Cash sweeps
• Amortization and Depreciation tables
• Free cash flow concept
• The exit event
• Returns to every debt and equity investor
• Sweet equity and options to management

* the model will only work in the computer where it has been installed. For group licences please contact us

This model requires a windows based PC and is NOT compatible with MAC / iPads.