If you thought private equity hiring was all about head-hunters and resumes, think again.
In a powerful session with Onefinnet CEO Kaushik Ravi, students were handed not just advice, but a real framework for breaking into the buy-side world. And it all starts with one word: networking.
1. Build Your 100-Person List
Kaushik laid it out clearly: by the end of your first year (MBA or not), you should have spoken to 50–100 people in private equity. Not messaged. Spoken. Why? Because this industry doesn’t hire the way traditional jobs do.
Firms may not even advertise their roles. They hire when they find the right person, and that only happens when you’re already on their radar.
2. Focus on Warm Connections First
The best results come from:
- Your MBA or undergrad alumni (especially post-2017).
- People you’ve worked with on deals or consulting projects.
- Geographic connections (hometowns, regions).
- People with similar career paths, ex-consultants, veterans, operators.
One student shared that they received job offers just from conversations rooted in mentorship, not job-seeking. Why? Because the conversations were human. Not a pitch. Not a plea.
3. Your Message Must Show Value, Not Need
“You need to convince them why you out of 100 alumni deserve a 30-minute call.”
Generic outreach fails. Your message needs to tell them:
- Why you’re reaching out to them specifically.
- What you admire about their work or fund.
- What unique perspective you bring.
- That you’re here to learn, not take.
4. Use Every Tool in the Box
Whether it’s:
- Apollo to find verified emails,
- LinkedIn Premium for outreach,
- Or your school’s placement reports to track firms that hire MBAs
Kaushik’s advice was practical: “Use any tool at your disposal.” You don’t get points for purity, only results.
5. Networking Is the Job Before the Job
Networking isn’t prep for private equity. It is private equity. Just like pitching deals, raising money, or building relationships with management teams, this is what you’ll be doing in the actual role.
Final Takeaway
Networking is not a side activity. It’s the main act. How PE firms discover top talent. It’s how they trust you before they ever interview you. And it’s how you win long before the competition even knows the game started.
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