lbo model

Beyond the Numbers: 5 Common LBO Modeling Traps (and How to Avoid Them)

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Minimalist spreadsheet graphic titled “5 LBO Modeling Traps,” showing warning arrows pointing to five red X-icons, in UpLevered brand colors.

Anyone can learn to link cells in Excel. That’s the price of admission. The real differentiator, or what separates a top-tier private equity candidate from the pack (besides following our private equity recruiting guide), is commercial judgment. It’s the ability to spot the subtle, return-killing traps that hide in plain sight within a model… just … Read more

The Three Pillars of the Private Equity Interview (And the #1 Mistake in Each) – 2025 PE Interview Guide

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Infographic for the UpLevered Private Equity Interview Playbook showing the three pillars of a PE interview: Alpha Narrative (person icon), Technical Fortress (tower icon), and Investor's Mind (head with gears icon).

Landing a coveted private equity role isn’t just about polishing your resume – it’s about excelling in the private equity interview gauntlet. As someone who broke into this industry from a non-traditional background and now sits on the other side of the table, I can tell you PE interviews are a different beast. You need … Read more