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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.
1. Stalk the Company (In a Non-Creepy Way, of Course)
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.
2. Connect the Dots: Your Work + Their Mission
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.”
3. Have a Salary Talk With… Yourself
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?”
4. Revisit Your Greatest Hits
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…” 😐
5. Ask Questions—Smart Ones
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.”
🎁 Bonus Tip: Light Internet Stalking Is Allowed
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. ❄️
Takeaway
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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Don’t stress about searching every career page or job site. Stay ahead with the latest opportunities from different sources right here!
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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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This market research report presents Private Equity funds that are active in Indian markets as of 2025, and have an AUM of 250 million or more. This list includes both domestic and global private equity funds. While comprehensive, this is not an exhaustive list.
This report might benefit product and service providers to the Investment Management industry, Consultants and Investment Bankers, and job seekers aspiring to break into one of the most coveted, competitive and high paying industries globally.
We’ve all been there. You open your phone “just to check one thing” and—boom—you’re 72 minutes deep into scrolling reels. Somewhere between a cute puppy video and a billionaire success story, you forget what you came for. And then it hits you—*the guilt*. Work is pending, chores are waiting, and your brain feels… fried.
Reels and short videos are incredible sources of information and entertainment. But here’s the tricky question—is our brain really equipped for this kind of content?
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1. Emotional Whiplash is Real
Your brain is the most powerful thing God gifted you. It’s built to process one emotion at a time. You can’t laugh and cry at the same moment, right? But reels force your brain into emotional gymnastics:
- 0:02 – Delicious biryani (hungry!)
- 0:05 – Horrifying accident (sad!)
- 0:08 – 19-year-old becomes a billionaire (competitive!)
- 0:12 – Poor man searching for food (grateful… or guilty?)
Within seconds, you’ve felt 10 different things. That’s not multitasking—it’s emotional chaos. Over time, this dulls your ability to feel any emotion deeply.
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2. The Trap is Invisible
No one says, “I’m going to watch reels for the next 3 hours.” The scary part? You don’t even realize when you’ve been sucked in. Your brain stops being in charge—you’re just swiping.
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3. Post-Scroll Blues
Ever felt low, restless, or oddly sad after long scrolling? That’s your brain struggling after rapid-fire emotional switches. And since it happens repeatedly, it’s no longer “just a bad day.” It’s rewiring your mood patterns.
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4. Reality Gets Distorted
The internet has millions of “experts”—teachers without degrees, traders without licenses, astrologers predicting your breakfast. A little knowledge used to be dangerous. Now, *abundant unverified knowledge* is even worse. People buy impulsively, compare endlessly, and believe things far from reality.
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5. It’s for Everyone… and That’s a Problem
A 2-year-old and a 60-year-old consuming the same unfiltered feed? Hazardous. What’s healthy for one mind might be harmful for another. And many of us don’t even follow what we “learn” online in real life—we just keep scrolling.
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So, What’s the Fix?
I’m not against reels. They’re amazing for quick learning and staying updated. But consumption should be intentional. Set a personal limit—maybe 15 to 30 minutes a day. Watch, enjoy, learn… then *log off and live*.
Because at the end of the day, your brain is too valuable to be a slot machine for random content.
Remember: You own your phone. Don’t let your phone own you.