Master the PE Technical Interview: LBOs, Returns & Valuation
Develop the technical foundation and intuition needed to confidently handle private equity interview questions. We’ll cover the technical concepts that matter most in PE, with an emphasis on understanding how they connect rather than simply memorizing interview answers. Topics can include LBO mechanics, sources and uses, debt paydown, IRR and MOIC, operating assumptions, leverage, exit assumptions, value creation, accounting, enterprise versus equity value, valuation methodologies, working capital, cash flow, and common mental LBO questions. We’ll also work through realistic interview questions and progressively increase the difficulty as your understanding improves. The goal is for you to understand the mechanics well enough that you can reason through unfamiliar questions rather than relying on memorization.
What's included
My approach emphasizes intuition first and formulas second. If you understand why leverage affects returns, why debt paydown creates equity value, or why an assumption changes IRR, the technical questions become much easier. I’ll identify gaps quickly, focus our time on the areas that matter most, and challenge you with the types of follow-up questions you should expect from investment professionals.
- Strong command of core PE technical concepts
- Improved LBO, IRR, MOIC, valuation, and accounting intuition
- Ability to reason through unfamiliar technical questions
- Greater speed and confidence in live interview settings
Meet your expert
Dan B.
Former PE VP | Deal Execution + Board-Level Experience | $250M → $5B Portco
I’m a former Investment Banker and Private Equity Vice President with experience investing in high-growth software, AI and technology companies, including working on an investment in a company now valued at $5 billion. My PE experience spanned the full investment lifecycle, from sourcing and diligence to financial modeling, deal execution, and portfolio company strategy. My path into private equity wasn’t seamless. I spent close to a year interviewing before breaking in, so I understand firsthand how challenging and frustrating the process can be. Over time, I learned that success goes beyond knowing the technicals—you need to understand how investors think, communicate with conviction, and know what interviewers are actually assessing. I bring experience from both sides of the table and provide direct, practical coaching across IB and PE interviews, technicals, LBOs, case studies, deal discussions, and recruiting strategy.
