Mubadala Real Estate - SWF Interview and Case Study

Hello WSO friends,

I have an upcoming 2nd round interview for a Senior Associate level position at Mubadala, the SWF for Abu Dhabi. This will be in their real estate group, which invests internationally.

I am curious if to anyone here has been through the interview process with them, or has any familiarity with a similar interview process (ie: ADIA, ADIC, etc).

I have a few different modeling tests and case studies that I have collected from the last couple years, but would appreciate any insight anyone might have.

Thanks.

Comments ( 26 )

3y
TD_1985 , what's your opinion? Comment below:

Hey West Coast Acquirer, how did your test go? Was the model difficult? Hope all went well! If you haven't had the test yet - I can check with a friend who had an interview with them couple of years ago. Let me know!

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Most Helpful
3y
RealEstateAK , what's your opinion? Comment below:

Ended up passing on it what I found after talking with a bunch of people who used to work for ADIA is the experience is great but it is tough to find a job back in the US. Most people who were in the associate role that I was shooting came back to the US to get their MBA before going back into the job work.

Ended up finding a job opportunity that would be the type of job I would have wanted after spending a few years at ADIA so worked out in my favor.

3y
TD_1985 , what's your opinion? Comment below:

I also heard from headhunters that it is difficult to find job back home if you decided to move back. Not sure why this should be the case as you gain international experience working on deals across the globe... this is one thing I don't understand. I hear compensations there are very generous and not paying tax makes things even better. Do you know by any chance what would have been your compensation for the associate role? Was it junior or senior? I am really tempted at this stage of my life to give it a try but not sure... it would a reallocation of my whole family in a totally new environment... also not sure about cost of living... maybe it is very high?

  • 2
3y
Level 100 Magikarp , what's your opinion? Comment below:

Also curious as to why it's hard to move back. Is it because of the lack of physical networking relationships?

3y
TD_1985 , what's your opinion? Comment below:

Tough to know unless someone has already been there. I would assume that salaries are very generous as there is not much talent in UAE and most of the people with lots of experience come from big financial hubs such as New York, Singapore and London. To make people reallocate from so far away, I would assume that the package must be very generous. Otherwise I don't see why someone would agree to reallocate for just a small boost (esp those with families)...

I guess West Coast didn't go through the process if he abandoned the chat?

  • 1
2y
MoneyMonster , what's your opinion? Comment below:

I've got a similar situation - am struggling whether to take the offer from one of the ME SWFs as I'm a bit worried about the exit say after few years. Any more thoughts from you guys?

  • Analyst 1 in IB-M&A
2y

Know 4 older friends who worked or are currently working at PE /REPE divisions at SWFs in the ME like ADIA and Mubadala. They have stressed that exits back to the US are basically non-existent unless you go get your MBA . Even then, it isn't a guarantee, as you are apparently not as marketable as someone at US funds. Not sure why that is, but I've just been told it's just how it works. Two of my friends did not want to go to business school, so one is staying in Abu Dhabi for another 3 year contract while the other is headed to Hong Kong / Singapore.

I've been advised to stay away unless I am happy with settling down in Abu Dhabi long-term. I have heard that the pay is very good (on par with some of the megafunds), but the lifestyle/nightlife/food scene/entertainment is a HUGE downgrade if you are coming from NYC . I was seriously considering the role after the first couple rounds (some absurd process with IQ-like tests, interviews with psychologists?), but decided I wasn't willing to sacrifice the life in NYC during my mid-20s.

2y
Financegirl1991 , what's your opinion? Comment below:

i moved from nyc to dubai ( which is more vibrant than Abu Dhabi ) and still each time I meet someone they asked me if this is not a downgrade to move from nyc to dubai thé réal answer yes, this is coming from a female in mid-20 who moved there and I regret it ! been trying for a year and half to head to London or back to usa and seems impossible !!! your friends moving to HK /SG isn't bad ! I think ME seem lucrative for Europeans ( London people ) who can use that London privilege and tax free advantage and boring cities in Europe ! but for a NYC that's tough ! I still think this is the biggest mistake I ever made to move to ME, now I'm crippled ! PS: I'm not working for SFW, but I interviewed with one in 2018, but I work in DIFC ( Dubai International Financial centre ) the whole experience in ME is not as good as NyC , you won't learn but it's good place for work life balance ! - I think managerial roles will like it more ! I won't advise juniors ! that was my mistake !

  • 3
  • 1
2y
Financegirl1991 , what's your opinion? Comment below:

can u connectme to your friends who were in dubai ? I just wanna reach out for few questions !

2y
Financegirl1991 , what's your opinion? Comment below:
Analyst 1 in IB-M&A:

Know 4 older friends who worked or are currently working at PE /REPE divisions at SWFs in the ME like ADIA and Mubadala. They have stressed that exits back to the US are basically non-existent unless you go get your MBA . Even then, it isn't a guarantee, as you are apparently not as marketable as someone at US funds. Not sure why that is, but I've just been told it's just how it works. Two of my friends did not want to go to business school, so one is staying in Abu Dhabi for another 3 year contract while the other is headed to Hong Kong / Singapore.

I've been advised to stay away unless I am happy with settling down in Abu Dhabi long-term. I have heard that the pay is very good (on par with some of the megafunds), but the lifestyle/nightlife/food scene/entertainment is a HUGE downgrade if you are coming from NYC . I was seriously considering the role after the first couple rounds (some absurd process with IQ-like tests, interviews with psychologists?), but decided I wasn't willing to sacrifice the life in NYC during my mid-20s.

Can you connect me to your friends who were based in ME, I just want to ask few questions
  • 2
2y
odog808 , what's your opinion? Comment below:

I had a friend work there. Biggest motivation was to be able to make connections with funders. Fast forward, said friend has been doing their own thing. Did not ask if it was all worth it.

Have compassion as well as ambition and you’ll go far in life
  • Intern in IB-M&A
2y

any views on the other SWFs like CPPIB / Temasek / OMERS?

6d
smm.7 , what's your opinion? Comment below:

Can you please contact me ? (I sent you some PM). I am in a hiring process with them and have a case study next wee, if you can give me some information please

thanks

30m
hazzspazz , what's your opinion? Comment below:

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1m
CRE94 , what's your opinion? Comment below:

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