"Tell me about a recent deal or transaction that interests you."
This tests your genuine interest in finance, ability to analyze transactions, and awareness of current market trends.
Choose a recent, notable transaction you can discuss in depth.
Cover the basics: parties, size, structure, rationale.
Analyze the strategic logic from both sides.
Share your own perspective — what would you do differently?
I have been following the recent acquisition of [Company A] by [Company B] for $X billion. The deal is interesting because it represents vertical integration — the acquirer gains control of its supply chain, reducing dependency on third-party suppliers. The strategic rationale is threefold: $Y million in expected synergies from eliminating redundant operations, access to proprietary technology, and defensive positioning against competitors who are making similar moves. What interests me most is the financing structure: a mix of cash and stock that suggests the acquirer believes its shares are fairly valued. I would have pushed for a higher cash component given current interest rate trends, but the target shareholders benefit from deferred tax treatment on the stock portion.
Pick a deal you genuinely find interesting — fake enthusiasm is obvious.
Know the numbers: deal size, multiples paid, premium to market price.
Have an opinion — interviewers want to see analytical thinking, not just facts.
Within the last 6 months ideally. It shows you follow markets actively. Older deals are okay if they are landmark transactions with ongoing impact.
Start now. Follow WSJ Deal Journal, Bloomberg, and Dealogic. You need at least 2-3 deals ready to discuss. Set up Google alerts for M&A news in your target industry.
Absolutely — failed deals can be even more interesting. Analyze why it failed: regulatory issues, financing problems, cultural mismatch, or shareholder opposition.
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