Mehar Bhatia

On-cycle private equity recruiting is one of the most daunting processes in finance — it kicks off earlier every year, moves at breakneck speed, and often comes down to a 48-hour sprint of headhunter calls, paper LBOs, modeling tests, and exploding offers, all while you're working a demanding banking job. I've been through it: I recruited on-cycle in 2022, landing an offer at a top-performing UMM fund. I'll walk you through the three things that matter most: Headhunter contacts — who the key firms are, how to get on their radar, and how to manage those relationships so you get the call when kickoff hits. Behavioral interviews — PE interviews differ from banking in subtle but important ways; I'll help you craft your story, sharpen your "why PE" answer, and prepare for the judgment-focused questions funds actually ask. Case study / model prep — paper LBOs, timed modeling tests, and the technical fundamentals, with reps under realistic pressure so nothing surprises you on the day. My goal is to get you fully prepared before the process starts, so when the call comes, you're ready to win the seat.