20 PitchBook Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And when you’re interviewing for a position at a specific company, it’s important to do your research and be prepared to answer questions about the company itself.

PitchBook is a comprehensive data and analysis provider for the M&A, private equity, and venture capital industries, so we know a thing or two about preparing for interviews. In this article, we’ll share some company-specific interview questions that candidates for positions at PitchBook should be prepared to answer.

So, whether you’re a recent graduate looking for your first job in the industry or an experienced professional looking to make a move, read on for some helpful tips.

PitchBook Interview Process

The interview process at PitchBook can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two rounds of interviews. The first round is usually a phone screen with a recruiter, followed by an in-person interview with the hiring manager. For some positions, there may also be a panel interview with multiple members of the team. The entire process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months.

1. Why do you want to work for PitchBook?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. Use your answer to highlight some of PitchBook’s most appealing qualities, such as its culture or values. You can also use this opportunity to show that you have done research on the company and understand what makes it unique.

Example: “I want to work for PitchBook because I am passionate about supporting entrepreneurs and helping them grow their businesses. PitchBook has an excellent reputation in the industry for providing valuable resources to startups and small companies looking to raise capital. I would love to be part of a team that is committed to making a positive impact on the world.”

2. What is your experience with working as part of a team?

Working as part of a team is an important skill for any analyst. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you collaborate with others. To answer, think about a time when you worked on a project or task with other people. Explain what made the experience successful and highlight any specific skills you used that helped you work well with others.

Example: “I’ve always enjoyed working in teams because it allows me to share my ideas and knowledge with others. In my last role, I was tasked with creating a pitch book for a client. My manager assigned two other analysts to help me create the pitch book. We each had our own responsibilities, but we also collaborated throughout the process. I found that by sharing my ideas and asking questions, I could get feedback from my colleagues and make sure all three of us were happy with the final product.”

3. Do you have any experience in sales or customer support?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with customer service and how you interact with others. If you have sales or customer support experience, describe a time when you helped someone solve a problem or assisted them in finding what they were looking for.

Example: “I worked as an administrative assistant at my previous company where I answered phones and scheduled meetings for senior management. One day, one of our clients called to ask about a report we had promised them. I was able to pull up their information on our database and send it over to them within 30 minutes.”

4. How would you describe your communication style when working with customers and clients?

PitchBook is a company that works with many clients and customers. Your answer to this question can help the interviewer understand how you would interact with their team members, as well as other professionals in the industry. Use your response to highlight any communication skills or techniques that may be relevant to working at PitchBook.

Example: “I pride myself on being an excellent communicator. I am always prepared for meetings and will ask questions if I don’t understand something. I also like to make sure my clients know they can reach out to me with any questions or concerns they have about our services.”

5. Describe the most creative approach that you’ve used to connect with a potential client.

PitchBook is a highly technical company that works with some of the most influential people in finance. As such, it’s important to show your ability to connect with clients and colleagues alike.

Example: “I once met with a potential client who was interested in learning more about private equity firms in their industry. I used PitchBook’s extensive database to find all of the relevant information on each firm, including key executives, recent deals and financials. Then, I created an infographic that summarized this data for my client so they could easily reference it later.”

6. Tell me about a time where you had to adapt to changing circumstances, how did you handle it?

PitchBook is a company that values adaptability and flexibility. As the business landscape changes, so does their product offerings. Your answer should show your ability to be flexible in your approach to problem-solving.

Example: “I once worked for a small startup where we were tasked with creating an app that would help users find nearby restaurants based on their preferences. The client wanted us to create this app within two months. I knew it was possible but also knew that if we didn’t have enough time to test the app before launch, there could be issues. So, I spoke with my team about our options. We decided to take on another project first, which gave us more time to work on the restaurant app.”

7. We want our employees to feel comfortable enough to take risks. Have you ever taken a risk at work before? If so, what was the outcome?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and how they approach risk. It can also help you determine if they would be comfortable in PitchBook’s environment, which encourages innovation and creativity.

Example: “I once took a risk at work by suggesting we change our company logo. I had noticed that many of our customers were confused by it, so I suggested we simplify it. My manager agreed with me, and we changed the logo. The new one was much easier for customers to understand, and sales increased as a result.”

8. In what ways are you passionate about technology, business, and finance?

PitchBook is a technology company that provides data and analysis to the financial industry. Your answer should show your interest in these fields, as well as how you can contribute to PitchBook’s mission of providing valuable information to its clients.

Example: “I am passionate about technology because it has the power to change the world for the better. I believe that if we use technology to solve problems, we can make life easier for everyone. In my last role, I worked with a team of developers to create an app that streamlined the process of finding investment opportunities. This saved our analysts time and made their work more efficient.”

9. What is your availability? Are you able to work nights and weekends?

PitchBook is a 24/7 operation, so the interviewer wants to know if you can work nights and weekends. They also want to know how flexible your availability is.

Example: “I am available for night and weekend shifts as long as they are scheduled in advance. I have worked many late-night and overnight shifts in my previous roles, so I’m used to it. However, I do prefer working during regular business hours.”

10. Can you tell us more about an article you read recently on M&A activity?

PitchBook is a leading source of information for M&A activity, so interviewers may ask this question to see if you have experience using the platform. In your answer, try to describe how you used PitchBook’s data and analysis in your role.

Example: “I recently read an article on PitchBook about the recent merger between two large companies. I found it interesting that one company was able to acquire another by offering more than just cash. The acquiring company offered shares from their own stock as well as other incentives like bonuses or promotions to help retain key employees.”

11. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond to help a customer solve a problem.

PitchBook is a subscription-based service, so the interviewer may want to make sure you understand how to provide excellent customer service. Use your answer to show that you value customers and are willing to go above and beyond to help them solve problems or address their needs.

Example: “I once had a client who was looking for information on private equity firms in California. I knew we didn’t have any data on those companies at the time, but I also knew there were some venture capital firms in California that invested in private equity funds. So, I reached out to one of our contacts at a venture capital firm and asked if they could share their private equity investment data with us. They agreed, and I was able to send my client all the information they needed.”

12. Give an example of a time when you set goals for yourself, and describe whether or not you met those goals.

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to set goals and achieve them. It also shows the interviewer that you are self-aware, as you can discuss whether or not you met those goals.

Example: “I have a goal of learning something new every day. I am always looking for ways to improve my skills and knowledge in order to be more valuable to my team and organization. In my current role, I learned how to use PitchBook’s data analytics tools to create reports on private equity investments. This helped me understand the value of PitchBook’s resources and how they could help our company.”

13. Explain why you think this position will be a good fit for you.

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your personality and how you would fit into their company culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight some of the skills or experiences that make you a good candidate for the role.

Example: “I think this position will be a great fit because I have extensive experience in working with large data sets. In my previous role as an analyst, I was responsible for organizing all financial information for our clients. This helped me develop strong organizational and communication skills, which I believe are important for any analyst position.”

14. How would you respond if someone told you that they were not interested in purchasing from PitchBook?

PitchBook is a subscription-based service, so it’s important to be able to respond to this question in a way that shows you understand the value of PitchBook and how it can benefit potential clients.

Example: “I would first ask them why they were not interested in using our services. I would then explain some of the benefits of subscribing to PitchBook, such as access to all of our data and research tools, daily industry news and analysis, and more. If they still weren’t interested, I would offer to provide them with a free trial period.”

15. During peak periods, we may require our employees to work longer hours than usual. Would you be willing to accommodate these changes in schedule?

Interviewers may ask this question to determine if you’re flexible and willing to work in a fast-paced environment. When answering, consider how your current schedule would change if the company needed you to work longer hours during peak periods.

Example: “I’m happy to accommodate any changes in my schedule as long as they are reasonable. I understand that sometimes companies need their employees to work more than usual during busy times. In my previous role, I worked through several busy seasons where we had to stay late or come in early to meet deadlines.”

16. Which financial news outlets do you follow?

PitchBook is a financial news outlet, so it’s important that you’re familiar with the industry. PitchBook asks this question to make sure you understand their role in the industry and how you can contribute to its success.

Example: “I follow several financial news outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Bloomberg and CNBC. I find these sources to be informative and helpful when making investment decisions. In fact, I often use them as a starting point for my research. However, I also like to look at smaller publications because they provide unique insights into the market.”

17. What areas of research interest you the most?

This question helps the interviewer determine if you have a passion for the industry and understand what PitchBook does. Your answer should show that you are interested in learning more about the company’s niche, but also highlight your interest in other areas of research.

Example: “I am most interested in private equity and venture capital data. I find it fascinating to see how companies grow through investments and acquisitions. However, I also enjoy researching public equities and analyzing market trends.”

18. How would you create a report for a client who has a deadline coming up?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and manage deadlines. Use examples from previous experience to show that you are organized, efficient and able to meet tight deadlines.

Example: “I would first ask my client what their deadline is for the report. Then I would gather all of the information they need to complete the report, including company financials, recent news about the company and any other relevant data. Once I have everything I need, I will begin creating the report by organizing it into sections based on the information I have. I’ll then start writing the report itself, making sure to include a brief summary at the beginning so my client knows exactly what’s included in the full report.”

19. What kind of project management tools do you use?

PitchBook uses Microsoft SharePoint to manage projects and tasks. Your answer should show that you have experience using similar tools, such as Microsoft SharePoint or Google Drive.

Example: “I use Microsoft SharePoint for project management at my current job. I find it useful because it allows me to create a task list with due dates, share documents with colleagues and track the progress of each task. It also has an in-built calendar feature that helps me stay organized by scheduling important meetings and deadlines.”

20. Is there anything else we should know about you?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a well-rounded candidate. You can use this time to discuss any additional skills or experiences that make you an ideal fit for the position.

Example: “I have been working in finance for five years, and I am looking forward to continuing my career with PitchBook. In addition to my work experience, I also hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington. I am passionate about learning new things and always strive to improve myself.”