Valuation Analyst

A recruiter reached out to me on LinkedIn and submitted my resume to Lincoln. My recruiter arranged the interviews, all of which were Zoom calls.

The first round interview was a 30 minute with 2 people from HR. After intros, they asked me to explain my valuation skills and experience at a high level. The rest of the interview was behavioral. Most questions tested cultural fit (relatively nice, relaxed midwest bank culture) and my interest in Lincoln.

After passing the first round, I was sent a link to a PI Cognitive Assessment. I took two versions of the test, with about a day between attempts.

The next round was a technical test. I was sent a relatively straightforward valuation case study. I had to value an equity investment through comparable companies analysis based on public and transaction comps given in the case study. The case mimicked a quarterly portfolio investment valuation, and it gave details on the original investment. Calibrating the valuation to the original investment multiples was key. I had a day to build the valuation model from scratch, then presented it to 2 Valuation Associates in a 30 minute interview. I presented my valuation in 10-15 minutes, then spent 10-15 minutes responding to their questions on my thought process. Having well thought out assumptions was very important for that. At the end of the interview, I got a chance to ask a few questions.

The super day consisted of 4 back-to-back half hour interviews, with 1 or 2 people from Lincoln in each:
- 2 Directors: almost entirely behavioral. I learned a lot more about Lincoln and the role during this one.
- 2 MDs: pretty much the same as the Director one, just discussed higher level topics.
- Valuations Human Capital Lead: all behavioral. Really focused on why I wanted to work at Lincoln, specifically in valuations, and how I'd fit in at the firm. Asked a trap question about if I had interest in IB.
- 2 Analysts: all behavioral. Definitely the least formal out of all of them. The only serious question in this one was about my ability and willingness to work long hours. I think they like to clear people on 70/80 hour weeks.

After the super day, I heard back through my recruiter that Lincoln wanted me to do one more round, a 30 minute call with the new MD in SF (my preferred office) and an SF Associate. They claimed that an intern messed up my super day scheduling so that I didn't talk to anyone from SF during it, so they needed me to talk to the people from SF. This interview was all behavioral and quite specific to their plans for the SF office, which just opened.

I thought the last round went well, but I got rejected without an explanation. Honestly wasn't that upset considering the whole post-super day interview thing rubbed me the wrong way. If I had to guess, I got rejected for not being excited enough about doing valuations. I want to lateral into IB, so I have to think something I said during this call gave it away.