Blackstone Interview Toolkit

Firm Facts Blackstone’s PE philosophy Drive value creation through operational excellence, strategic acquisitions, and long-term partnerships. Leverage scale and sector expertise to build market-leading businesses. Values Pursue excellence Work together Deliver for customers Never compromise integrity Outperform through innovation Leadership Stephen A. Schwarzman CEO and Director Joe Baratta Global Head of Private Equity Interview Insights Guidance from an ex-Blackstone recruiter Evaluate complex capital structures, including layers of debt and equity Model LBOs with advanced debt instruments, such as PIK notes and revolvers Analyze intricate payout waterfalls, focusing on priority of payments 
 and distribution terms Assess how macroeconomic factors influence investments and 
 portfolio strategies Blackstone candidates were tested on Asset pricing – focusing on discount rates and market risk adjustments Real estate – including DCF modeling and key metrics like cap rates and IRR Infrastructure – evaluating cash flow stability and regulatory awareness Speak the firm’s language Show how you create value through operational improvements, not just financial engineering Highlight your ability to execute resilient investments that adapt to market cycles Demonstrate how you manage risk while pursuing business growth In the Media Interview toolkit www.blackstone.com Talk China pulls back from US PE investments Blackstone buyout fund is closing late, below earlier goals Transactions Blackstone and Vista close $8.4 billion Smartsheet acquisition Blackstone acquires AirTrunk for A$24 billion Watch Stephen Schwarzman – Blackstone CEO and Author of "What It Takes" Joe Baratta discusses private equity investing Show that you understand the financial mechanics of the deal but also that you think critically about how the deal fits into a broader strategic vision. Read the article David Acharya Managing Partner of
 Acharya Capital Partners Pay breakdown for a Blackstone associate Base pay Bonus pay 67.2% 32.8% $274K median total pay* $184K $90K *As of Apr 10, 2025. Source: Glassdoor Investment strategies Corporate PE – large-scale buyouts across North America, Europe, 
 and Asia Growth Equity – backing fast-growing tech and healthcare firms Tactical Opportunities – flexible deals across regions and asset types Strategic Partners – secondary investing and GP stakes Infrastructure – focused on energy, digital infrastructure, and transportation Private Credit – direct lending and credit tied to PE deals