HHL finance professor Maximilian Schreiter reveals what it takes to break into investment banking and private equity. A graduate of HHL himself, he now prepares students for high-pressure finance careers with insight, strategy, and empathy.
As Junior Professor of Entrepreneurial Finance and Academic Director of the Master in Finance programs at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management, Maximilian Schreiter knows exactly what it takes to succeed in finance. His research focuses on venture capital and private equity, while his lectures cover corporate finance, valuation, and investment decision-making.
Maximilian has a unique understanding of his students’ situation. He graduated from HHL with an MSc in Management (Finance, Accounting, Economics) in 2012 and completed his Ph.D. in Corporate Finance in 2019. With five years of consulting experience under his belt, he returned to the classroom in a different role. The move to teaching was driven by both a passion for teaching and a desire for a more balanced lifestyle. “I really have a big passion for teaching,” he says, with previous experience tutoring in finance and mathematics. (01:21)
Maximilian’s passion sets his students up for success above and beyond hard skills and best practices.
For students pursuing careers in investment banking or private equity, it’s essential to understand the typical career trajectory in these industries. Maximilian breaks it down into clear stages, starting with the analyst role.
“An analyst is a person who runs the groundwork,” he explains. (07:01) Analysts handle much of the heavy lifting, performing company valuations, building financial models, and preparing pitch books. This role typically lasts around three years.
The next step is associate, where responsibilities shift from executing tasks to overseeing them. “You are the first quality gate for what the analysts do,” says Maximilian. (08:01) Associates direct workflows and begin making more strategic decisions.
Vice presidents (VPs) are often the first point of real client interaction. They lead meetings, present strategy, and manage both team members and external stakeholders. Vice presidents begin to manage clients. (08:15)
At the director level, you go into acquisition mode. You ensure that new assignments are available and assign work to the team. The focus shifts to business development. Directors are responsible for sourcing new deals and maintaining strong client relationships. Finally, managing directors (MDs) take overall ownership of transactions and firm strategy. (08:55)
“It’s a pyramid,” Maximilian says. “Not everyone can make it.” (09:26) Maximilian notes that it is a competitive industry and that the workload tends to increase by job title.
Not everyone proceeds with that upwards trajectory. Many professionals exit the track after their analyst or associate years, often moving into private equity, corporate M&A, or industry finance roles.
Finance careers in investment banking or private equity take more than good grades. According to Maximilian, recruiters are looking for candidates who bring a mix of technical capability, practical experience, and personal motivation.
“It is important to show that you have that mix of strategic knowledge and financial expertise,” he says. (11:12) This starts with your academic foundation. Recruiters want to see that you understand key corporate finance topics such as valuation, deal structuring, leveraged buyout, and financial modeling.
But classroom knowledge isn’t enough. “It doesn’t make sense to apply for private equity if you have no practical experience so far in either finance or strategy,” Maximilian advises. (11:48) Internships in investment banking or management consulting are essential to prove that you understand how finance works in the real world.
Presentation also matters. “The standard in investment banking and private equity is a one-page CV, no picture, very conservative, very formal,” says Maximilian. (12:45) That means no flashy colors or icons. Ensure that your CV uses clean, professional formatting and highlights relevant experiences.
Ultimately, recruiters want candidates who are serious, prepared, and realistic about the industry demands. Showing genuine interest and a long-term commitment through well-chosen internships and a strong resumé can make all the difference.
Standing out in competitive finance interviews is all about showing how you think. According to Maximilian, recruiters want candidates who can break down problems clearly and approach them with analytical precision.
His number one tip? “Try to be very specific, sharp, to the point, and quantify what you’re talking about,” he advises. (18:53) Instead of general answers, bring your responses to life with numbers. Give real examples of EBITDA multiples, enterprise value, or leverage ratios.
This is especially true for private equity interviews, where case-style questions are common. Maximilian recommends learning how to structure a simple leveraged buyout (LBO) by hand. Knowing how to estimate entry and exit multiples, apply realistic leverage, and project internal rates of return (IRR) will make you stand out.
But technical skill alone won’t land the job. Show that you understand the company’s portfolio and can connect your background to their investment thesis. Doing your homework shows maturity and genuine interest, traits every recruiter is looking for.
HHL’s Master in Finance program maintains small cohorts of around 20 students, ensuring every individual gets personalized guidance and mentoring. (22:22)
Maximilian emphasizes the value of this tailored approach. “We take time to analyze every student’s CV and to think about meaningful steps… career goals. Based on that, we guide them through realistic application targets and help them plan their next steps,” he says. (23:00)
The school also provides structured interview preparation and application training. Students receive coaching on case studies, valuation techniques, and typical interview questions to make them confident and competitive.
HHL’s alumni network also plays a crucial role for those in the Master in Management (MSc) degree program. Ranked third in the world by the Financial Times for alumni quality, the network connects current students with graduates working at top firms. “We identify the companies that make sense to apply to (and see) who are key alumni that we have there. Then we connect our students to those alumni.” (24:17)
These interactions often lead to referrals, internships, and deep insights into industry expectations.
Choosing a career in private equity, investment banking, or any other finance track isn’t an easy path, but Maximilian’s insider insights can help you succeed. From mastering financial modeling to understanding the realities of a career in the finance industry, Maximilian highlights the importance of early preparation, strategic internships, and clear, intentional communication.
Realizing this goal involves thinking like a future investment professional, and HHL prepares its Master in Management students to do just that.
To learn more about HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management, explore the HHL profile page or read our previous articles about the school.
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