I Got a Job at a Prestigious PE Firm from a No-Name School and How You Can Too
"We have never heard of your school, we had to google it to make sure it actually existed." Those words are what have sent most people running to the hills or wanting to astral project out of their chair during an interview, but for me, it was a challenge.
During recruitment season many bright students are often faced with their own inadequacies, however, these faults can be rebranded as strengths, not weaknesses. So how did I get the job? As Nico Avocado says I was two steps ahead.
- I was scrappy
Before applying to the internship, I had extensive internship experience going back to high school. The first tech startup I worked at was in 2017, a 3-D printing company known as Xometry, where I was a digital marketer—a gig I got from cold-calling startups in my area.
- My experiences were unique
In addition to typical software engineering internships, I had been a teacher with the well-respected AmeriCorps program. This aligned with one of the core values of the firm, as they were involved with local educational volunteer programs in the area.
- I did not come to the interview empty-handed
To demonstrate my initiative and genuine interest in the firm, I created an investment thesis based on my personal interests and tailored it to align with the scope of the firm’s focus areas. This comprehensive and well-researched thesis not only highlighted my analytical skills and understanding of the industry but also provided a tangible example of how I could contribute to the firm. I presented this thesis during my final interview, which allowed me to showcase my knowledge, creativity, and dedication to making a meaningful impact within the organization.
- I practiced
Before my interview, I utilized online resources containing both behavioral and technical interview questions and did mock interviews with friends.
So, don’t doubt yourself your weakness just might be your greatest strength ✨