Private Equity Jobs and How to Get Them

The private equity industry has grown many times over in the last decade, and its growth has surpassed that of all other asset classes. The private equity industry has a promising future. The private equity market is very small compared to the publicly traded equity market, but supply and demand for private equity funds are likely to expand in the future.

There is abundant potential for growth in the industry, and the number of opportunities for those pursuing private equity careers will likely increase. According to analysts, privately held firms will find it difficult to access financing and thus will boost demand for private equity. Private equity activities will increase, with corporations willing to spin off divisions for private equity investors. On the supply side, many pension funds and experienced investors have shown interest in private equity funds and have increased allocations to venture funds and buyout funds.

With growth in international private equity markets having surpassed growth in the U.S. markets, career opportunities in international firms are also available.



Private equity investments take the forms of leveraged buyouts, venture capital, growth capital, angel investing, mezzanine capital, and distressed debt. For such transactions to take place, there must be a marketplace and participants, including intermediaries. These participants in the marketplace create finance jobs-specifically, private equity jobs.

More and more MBA graduates are getting jobs in the private equity industry. Private equity jobs are not only lucrative, but they also offer a lot of responsibility to professionals just starting out in their careers. They also provide exposure to all of the aspects of corporate finance.

Realizing the growth potential of this industry, MBA programs around the country are offering private equity courses. At the same time, schools are trying to attract junior employees of private equity firms to their MBA programs to groom them for higher-level positions. More than 10% of Harvard Business School’s students have private equity experience, and increased ratios of students with private equity expertise give schools an edge with recruiters.

Firms look for candidates with experience in private equity or venture capital. Some firms also hire people with investment banking or consulting backgrounds. The number of firms recruiting on campus or posting jobs is increasing, but personal networking with alumni can help you secure a private equity job more quickly. The combination of an MBA with private equity experience is highly preferred.

Business schools have used their alumni networks to foster relationships that generate referrals. Schools also connect executive MBA students working with private equity firms with younger, full-time MBAs in order to increase networking opportunities for students interested in private equity.

The private equity industry, with its high rate of growth and potential, does not offer careers to all; it is highly selective. Thus, there is a shortage of candidates with the desired levels of skill and experience required by employers offering private equity jobs.