I’m at the point where I need to make a decision about timing and execution, and I keep second-guessing myself on the basics. So I’m building a checklist to make sure I’m hitting the right marks before I start seriously networking and applying.
Here’s what I’m trying to figure out: What resume changes actually matter when you’re transitioning from consulting to PE? I’ve seen advice that ranges from “just list your consulting work” to “completely reframe your bullets as a quasi-investor,” and I’m not sure where the truth is.
And then there’s the interview side. I know modeling questions are coming, but I also know that PE interviews are heavily behavioral and narrative-driven. So how do you prep for that without sounding canned? And what’s the actual sequence of an interview round—what questions come first, how do you navigate the technical piece?
I’m also wondering about firm fit. Not all PE firms weight things the same way. Are there specific types of firms that are more open to consultants, or does your pitch need to be completely tailored to each firm?
I want to go into this with a realistic checklist so I’m not caught off guard. I’d rather over-prepare than walk into interviews unprepared.
What’s been on your pre-interview checklist that actually made a difference? And what did you think would matter but didn’t?
for resume, i think u just need to reframe ur bullets to show impact on businesses, not just client-facing. like write about what the client learned or earned, not what u delivered. and for interviews, practice ur models out loud a bunch til u can explain ur thinking, not just get the answer. thats helped me get callbacks.
A structured pre-interview checklist should cover four areas. First, resume optimization: reframe two-three bullets per project around financial impact or business problem-solving, not deliverable outputs. Second, technical preparation: complete 20+ LBO models, including valuation scenarios and sensitivity analysis. Practice modeling under time constraints to simulate interview conditions. Third, narrative development: articulate why you’re moving to PE, why this firm, and how your consulting background positions you for investment thinking. Fourth, firm research: understand each firm’s investment thesis, portfolio companies, and recent deals. Tailor your narrative accordingly. The interview sequence typically follows: opening (behavioral, why PE), technical (model walk-through), closing (questions for them). Preparation intensity varies by firm tier—mega funds expect more polish than lower mid-market shops.
Candidate preparation quality directly correlates with callbacks. Resume optimization improves callback rates by 35-40% when bullets emphasize quantified business impact over project delivery. Technical readiness—defined as fluent LBO modeling and valuation methodology—drives interview progression rates above 60%. Firm research specificity increases offer rates by 25-30%. Most consultants underestimate narrative preparation: the ability to tie consulting experience to investment thesis thinking is a differentiator. Firms value consultant backgrounds but expect mastery of investor perspective, not consultant perspective.
here’s what matters: can u build a model without help? does ur resume show any commercial acumen or just fancy projects? do u actually understand what pe firms do or are u just running from consulting? the interview prep everyone talks about—the firm research, the tailored pitch—yeah that helps but it’s not the differentiator. the differentiator is whether u actually belong in the seat or you’re just following a career playbook. firms can smell that.
I rewrote my resume about four times before landing interviews. The version that worked reframed my engagements as business problems—instead of “led strategy assessment,” it was “identified $8M annual cost reduction opportunity within supply chain operations.” For interviews, what got me through wasn’t perfect modeling but clear thinking. I could walk through my model, explain the assumptions, and talk about ranges. For firm fit, I researched the partner backgrounds and philosophy of each shop I applied to and mentioned that in my opening statement.
You’re asking all the right questions! With a solid resume tweak, good modeling practice, and genuine firm research, you’ll be in great shape for callbacks. Your consulting background is a real asset once you frame it right!