Corporate Finance Interview Basics

A quick review of corporate finance interview basics… most companies conduct a standard “fit” interview. The majority will not be extremely quantitative (especially first rounds) but be prepared with financial concepts and strategies anyway.

1. Company strategy: Be familiar with the company’s business model and what makes the company stand out from its competitors. Research companies from their websites, annual reports, Lexis/Nexus, Bloomberg, WSJ, and industry publications.

2. Industry analysis: Research current market trends affecting the industry and know what role its competitors play within it.

3. Job/Position: Understand how finance is organized within the company. Are you interviewing with a treasury group or corporate control? Would you be working for a central finance organization or for a business unit?

4. Finance questions: Know how to value a project. Memorize NPV, IRR, EVA definitions, differences, downfalls, and how these measures are used to determine the viability of a project. Review your Finance notes.

5. Sample interview questions:

·         Walk me through your resume. Know your resume inside and out. Interviewers will ask most about bullet points.

·         Tell me about yourself

·         How have you led a cross-functional team to bring about positive change/ to overcome significant challenges? (Have two examples)

·         Give me an example when you have demonstrated leadership. (Have one work-related and one school related)

·         What accomplishments are you most proud of?

·         What are your strengths and weaknesses?

·         Why should we hire you?

·         Convince me you want to work in the (_________) industry

·         Give examples of how you analyzed a complex problem. What was the result?

·         Know the fundamentals of marketing (4p’s, etc.)

Be prepared for simple case questions. Interviewers will present a situation and ask you what they should do. Remember to provide the STRATEGY behind your decision as well as your finance answer. The company wants more than a number cruncher, answer all implications of the project.

In general, act excited about the company and make sure you have three to four GOOD questions for the interviewer. Good Luck!