Case study Power point and modeling test to be completed over the course of one week. Materials based on typical client

Interview process was different than previous years. CV-19 resulted in a significant influx in applicants so the process was somewhat fluid. An overview of the complete process can be described as follows:

1. Phone interview
2. QA with VP
3. Financial Model Case Study
4. PowerPoint Case Study
5. Second Interview with Partner
6. Second PowerPoint Case Study
7. Presentation
8. In-Person Super day
9. Decision

The phone interviews were casual. Partner seems to have asked everyone what they think of the CV-19 economy. The model was fairly simple. Three statement model with graphs. Not hard, but the tricky aspect was cleaning the data given it was presented in the form of a raw export file (maybe from quickbooks or something similar?) and then finding addbacks to reach adjusted EBITDA.

The first PowerPoint was just taking this data and presenting it in a few slides. Also not hard.

The second phone interview as very similar to the first. Same questions. Who are our competitors? etc.

The second case study was fun. Two public IT Services firms were provided and you had to build a presentation on their forward looking catalysts and valuation drivers. I saw some other candidates building models what not. Not necessary. Just look at the comps and the presentations and its fairly easy to see why stock x is priced differently than stock y.

The presentation was not that hard, just had to make sure I could fill 15-20 minutes and answer questions. If you have ever done a stock pitch or something similar, then this won't be bad. They asked fairly simple questions.

The super day was a surprise. Initially we were told we would do an in-person round, but prior to presenting the second case study we were told this was the last step. Initially this was poised as a candidate "meet and greet" only 24 hours prior did they send an itinerary which was an hour longer than the initial invitation and detailed hours of group and speed 1-1 interviews. Given this was in the middle of a pandemic, it was unusual. I have never done a group interview in my professional career even that MMs and BBs I have previously interviewed with, let alone with all of my interviewers and competitors wearings masks outside in the Carolina heat. The agenda was as follows:

1. Small talk in the lobby with competition and a partner
2. Group interview outside with everyone
3. More small talk with competition
4. Speed rounds
5. Final chat with competitors and a partner

They took over a week to give us the results. It looks like they only hired one person even though they previously advertised between 4-5 roles. Everyone I interviewed with had experience of an advanced degree (mostly MBA) so it was not a normal first year analyst lot by any stretch.

Office was very laid-back. Lots of surf videos and it had a mountain vibe. Very unique. I liked it. People had a unique mix of backgrounds. Some were former accountants, others were ex ER, others went straight in out of college as per usual.

There was a very mixed sentiment about being in the office in Covid. I could tell some did not care about the virus while others refused to touch their mask.

Advice- Plan on a lot of questions. Don't worry about technicals. Plan on a lengthy process. Partners are very into surfing and other outdoorsy hobbies, so come prepped to talk about it.

Started out with a virtual case study. Had two weeks to complete it. The case study consisted of an incomplete three statement model template and had to run through monthly and yearly balance sheet and p&l documents. Input historicals and create projections for the next 2-3 years. Then had to complete a small teaser document on the company. After this stage, I had a short 20 minute phone "interview" with a Partner. Wasn't really an interview but more of a conversation where he updated me on the process, asked me what I thought of the current economy and the Firm as a whole. Last stage was a 4 slide presentation highlighting 2 public IT services companies and other comparable companies. Had to present the deck in a 30 minute zoom call to some of the senior level team members.

Was much more in depth than really any other interview (MM and boutique) that I was currently or previously going through. Zero technicals asked.

Consisted of a phone conversation focus on personality fit. The second round was an in person super day focused on three areas personality fit, technical capabilities, and general business knowledge. This was done both through a traditional interview and case study.

I sat down with a managing director who asked the typical questions on background, why IB, what are your future plans, etc.
He promised to schedule a phone interview but never did. After reaching out multiple times via email and asking about the interview process, I finally gave up on the firm.

I e-mailed someone regarding their internship program and soon after received an e-mail to interview. Apparently they received over 100 e-mails and interviewed 20 people, five of whom received offers. The interview was on the phone and almost purely fit: tell me about yourself, why investment banking, why 7MA, how'd you hear about us, etc. Interestingly and somewhat oddly, their hiring process consisted of one round: a phone call.

Got the interview lined up through networking. One call with a director as a phone screen followed by a 30m phone interview with another director. My process ended there - candidates selected to proceed with the interviews were invited in for a face to face.