Let’s be real. I’ve lost count of how many candidates show up to their first round of interviews with all the enthusiasm in the world… and zero prep. No idea what the company does, no clue why they’re asking for 18 LPA, and absolutely no questions when asked “Any questions for us?”
Look, I get it—interviews are stressful. But walking into one unprepared is like showing up to a sword fight with a spoon. Through my work as a consultant, I’ve seen what not to do—and now, I’m here to share what you should do. These five moves are your golden ticket to cracking round 1 and making it to round 2 with your head held high.
Before you even think about hitting “Join Meeting,” get to know the company. What do they do? What problem are they solving? Who are their clients? What’s their latest funding round or product launch? This isn’t just trivia—it shows you’re proactive, curious, and actually interested in being there. Interviewers can sniff out a bluff in seconds.
💡 Pro tip: Casually drop in a nugget like,
“I read about your recent acquisition of XYZ. That’s a great move considering your expansion goals in APAC.”
Instant credibility. ✅
Boom. Instant brownie points.
Once you’ve understood what the company is building, ask yourself: “Where do I fit in?” Align your past work, your strengths, or even your future goals with the company’s mission. This isn’t a TED Talk—it’s your chance to say, “Here’s what I bring to the table, and here’s why I care about what you’re doing.” That combo of purpose + alignment = irresistible.
“Your focus on AI in healthcare is something I resonate with. I worked on a similar model during my time at…”
This tells them: “Hey, I’m not just here for a paycheck—I belong here.”
Please, I beg you—don’t fumble when asked, “What are your compensation expectations?” Know your worth, be realistic, and back it up with a reason. Whether it’s skill upgrades, cost of living, or industry standards—have a clear rationale.
And while you’re at it, be ready with a solid answer to, “Why are you looking out?” It shouldn’t sound like you woke up and thought, “Meh, new job?”
You’d be surprised how many candidates blank out on their own projects. Go back and revisit what you’ve worked on. Know your role, your contributions, any data-driven results, and lessons learned. Bonus points if you can narrate it like a story rather than reading off a resume like it’s a grocery list.
Because nothing’s worse than this moment:
Interviewer: “Tell me about the XYZ project you led.”
You: “Umm… it was in 2021… I think it was about…” 😐
Interviews aren’t interrogations—they’re conversations. Come prepared with at least 2 thoughtful questions. It shows that you care about the opportunity and want to understand more. Ask about the team culture, growth plans, challenges in the role, or even the company’s future vision. No one wants to hire someone who’s just looking for “any job.”
Yes, it’s totally okay to ask who your interviewer is. Once you know, do a quick LinkedIn scroll. Maybe you share a common connection, interest, or alma mater.
Starting with:
“I noticed you’ve grown with the company over 5 years—would love to know what’s kept you here.”
...is a great way to break the ice. ❄️
A little preparation goes a long way. You don’t need to rehearse every line like a stage actor, but being intentional shows. You’re not just another CV in the pile—you’re a future colleague, a culture fit, a solution to their problem.
So tell me—what do you think are some must-dos before round 1? Let’s help each other not just survive, but thrive in interviews. Drop your thoughts below! 👇
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You've gone through an education system that probably never taught you anything about professionalism, logical deconstruction, and comfort with ambiguity. You may have tremendous bookish knowledge, but lacking these three attributes is an immediate invisible red flag that will stop you from getting the job or the promotion you always wanted.
Let's throw some light on the top-5 common mistakes that highlight your lack of these attributes, and what you should be doing instead
Let’s be honest — job hunting today feels like swiping right on a dating app where no one ever replies. Employers can’t find the right talent, job seekers chase ghost listings, and somewhere between “We’ll get back to you” and “Position closed,” everyone loses their sanity.
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Aplushub is tackling the biggest pain in job search — noise. Fake jobs, expired links, spam recruiters, and endless scrolling are replaced by clean, credible listings. The platform categorizes openings into Free Jobs (posted directly by employers) and Premium Jobs (handpicked by Aplushub’s research team from trusted sources and networks). So, no more digital wild goose chases — only jobs worth your time.
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Whether you’re working from your couch in Chennai or a café in Manali, Aplushub’s got you covered. The platform features a dedicated Remote Jobs section — tailored for professionals who value flexibility. It connects you with employers who believe talent shouldn’t be tied to geography.
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For job seekers, Aplushub is your career compass — one dashboard, hundreds of genuine opportunities, and no shady “DM for job” drama.
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Here’s where Aplushub really flips the script — OpenBook, its transparency-first feature. It gives job seekers a peek into real hiring insights, company trends, and recruiter updates, turning job search into a smarter, more informed experience. No more guessing what employers want; OpenBook hands you the inside scoop to make data-backed career moves.
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Private Equity (PE) is one of the most coveted industries in finance. One of the highest paying industries, Private Equity (PE) attracts absolute creme-de-la-creme of MBA graduates, management consultants, and investment bankers. Also highly competitive, PE funds hire only a handful of investment professionals across levels in a year.
A+ research team has spoken to multiple PE professionals across domestic and global PE funds in India. In the table below, we have compiled average base compensation, variable (bonus) and carry components at blue chip global PE funds in India.
Role | Yrs of exp | Large Global PE Funds (base salary) | Bonus (as a % of base) | Carry | |
Analyst | 0-3 yrs pre MBA | $60K-$80K | 60-100% |
Notional Carry or LTI or Certain bonus is paid in the form of carry distribution in case of multi-billion dollar funds*
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Associate | MBA with 4-6 yrs exp | $100K-$150K | 80-100% | ||
VP | MBA with 6-10 yrs exp | $200K- $250K | 90-120% |
Estimated 0.5%-2% of the carry pool for a multi billion dollar fund*
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Principal | MBA with 7-10yrs exp | $300K-$400K | 90-120% | ||
MD | $500K+ | 100-150% | |||
Notes: |
These figures are estimates of salaries at top global PE funds like Bain, Carlyle, TPG, Warburg Pincus, General Atlantic and the likes
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Buyout focused funds have 30-50% higher base salaires and respective bonuses
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*These are estimates from the information gathered through our network; might change/vary with more data
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