McKinsey to PE

Question

I’m at McKinsey in consulting right now but want to move into PE. What's the best way to position myself? Are the expectations higher in the interview and should I prep differently than for the case interviews I went through to receive the McK offer?

Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

Hey! Great question.
The expectations in PE interviews are definitely different from consulting ones. While problem-solving and structured thinking still matter, the focus shifts much more toward financial modeling, commercial judgment, and whether you can think like an investor.

To position yourself well, highlight how your consulting skills translate into evaluating businesses, working with data, and communicating insights clearly. For prep, go beyond traditional case interviews. Focus on LBOs, investment theses, CIM analyses, and understanding what makes a good deal. It’s a different angle, but with the right prep, totally doable!

Answer 2

Interviews in PE are more technical in nature than in consulting. You will need to build LBO models, do accounting and make investment decisions. They know you can think structurally, but you need to show an investor mentality. If you have worked in PE at McKinsey, you should emphasize this. Prep will be tougher, so extra practice helps.

Answer 3

From my experience, there are definitely some differences between working at a VC and a PE firm, especially in the da... (read entire answer)

From my experience, there are definitely some differences between working at a VC and a PE firm, especially in the day-to-day tasks. In VC, analysts usually focus more on sourci... (read entire answer)

Answer 4

Having worked in both consulting and finance, I’d say the main difference is the focus. In consulting, it’s about big... (read entire answer)

Having worked in both consulting and finance, I’d say the main difference is the focus. In consulting, it’s about big-picture problem-solving, like helping a client expand into... (read entire answer)