Samples Of Harvard Business School Post-Interview Reflections

MBA Student From The Private Equity Industry

Post-Interview Reflection

I really enjoyed my conversation with [1ST INTERVIEWER] and [2ND INTERVIEWER] today. I was able to share my experience working closely with the [CITY IN NORTH AMERICA] management team while I was at [NORTH AMERICAN INVESTMENT BANK]. This level of interaction with management is unusual for an analyst in Leveraged Finance and my transition to private equity has afforded me more of these opportunities.

I look forward to using my MBA experience to enhance my business judgment so I can be a valuable strategic advisor to the management teams I will collaborate with in the future.

I spent a fair amount of time outlining the private equity recruiting process, detailing the internship and analyst program I have helped to implement and explaining my efforts to increase diversity at [NORTH AMERICAN PE FIRM]. To further elaborate on my comments on diversity, I believe hiring people from unique backgrounds is imperative to successful investing. At [NORTH AMERICAN PE FIRM], we are constantly evaluating businesses and voicing opinions on valuation, business risk and operational efficiency. However, if most of our investors have similar experiences and perspectives, we may be missing a critical detail that a unique outlook would highlight. Growing up, I found that I learned the most when I surrounded myself with diverse perspectives. For instance, in high school, I went to [LARGE EAST ASIAN CITY] for a cultural exchange at [NAME] Academy and lived with a family on a farm in a rural area outside the city. I witnessed the respect and appreciation that characterizes family and the discipline that drives students to excel. In college, I studied at [WESTERN EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY] and developed a deeper appreciation for the prioritization of art, food and leisure that characterizes [WESTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRY] culture. I like to think I carry these lessons with me today and allow them to influence my perspective and priorities.

I am grateful that I had the chance to explain my passion for women’s reproductive health during my interview and expand on the support we provide families dealing with the complications of childbirth. My work on the [NAME OF UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM] Associate Board has introduced me to great friends in [NORTH AMERICAN CITY] and exposed me to innovative research and ideas to improve the lives of babies struggling to survive as well as mothers dealing with emotional effects of childbirth. I am looking forward to our annual benefit in a few weeks and am appreciative of the support it will generate for this cause.

During the interview, I would have liked to have expounded upon my interest in e-commerce and marketplaces. During my senior year of college, inspired by courses I took at [WESTERN EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY] and at [PRESTIGIOUS NORTH AMERICAN UNIVERSITY], I created a brick and mortar retail concept aimed at bringing niche e-commerce brands to markets with high discretionary spending but low access to cutting-edge trends. The business plan was a finalist in [NORTH AMERICAN RETAIL CHALLENGE FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS] Competition because it recognized the pivot to online consuming but emphasized the importance of retail for brand messaging. While earning a MBA, I will explore new ways to determine the capital efficiency of businesses in the e-commerce and marketplace sectors where conventional valuation tools such as recurring SaaS metrics are not as relevant. [NORTH AMERICAN PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM] has not historically invested in consumer-based businesses due to rapidly changing trends, high overhead costs and unpredictable repeat purchases. However, with more customers shopping online and subscribing to membership-based offerings, I believe e-commerce and marketplace businesses represent a high-potential intersection of technological innovation and consumer demand.

When I attended a class today, I saw the rainbow of flags scattered across the room and heard the sound of many accents. The level of diversity was unlike anything I have witnessed. When determining where to go to college, having gone to an all-girls Catholic high school, I sought a learning environment that would challenge my beliefs and enhance my understanding of the world. [PRESTIGIOUS NORTH AMERICAN UNIVERSITY] provided that and helped me reaffirm certain values and adopt new perspectives. Having just experienced the case method, I appreciate how Harvard’s approach to business curriculum revolves around the unique experiences of the students and believe it would further my growth in this regard.

Today’s case in the class I attended focused on the bankruptcy of [NORTH AMERICAN BROADCASTING COMPANY], and I was surprised to hear that multiple students had firsthand experiences with bankruptcy proceedings. At [NORTH AMERICAN PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM], I worked with my Vice President to sell one of two remaining [NORTH AMERICAN CITY] radio stations from a prior investment to [NORTH AMERICAN BROADCASTING COMPANY]. However, in the middle of the negotiations, [NORTH AMERICAN BROADCASTING COMPANY] called to announce that they were filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which stalled the deal. I look forward to sharing experiences like this with my classmates during case discussions.

I truly enjoyed interviewing and touring the Harvard campus today. I relish the opportunity to become a productive and collaborative member of the Harvard community.