Merger and Acquisition Analyst

I was approached by a head hunter for the role. After I submitted the CV, I was invited for the 1st round interview in 2 weeks.

* 1st round:
I have met with 2 associate directors separately.

After a standardised self introduction, I was probed on my technical knowledge and deal experience. They place a heavy emphasis on your technical knowledge because it is a small team environment and everyone has to know everything.
They are also eager to know how involved you are in the deals, how much you really understand your deal. For example, I was working on a JV transaction, and they asked me what the areas we are struggling to reach consensus in the JVA.

After being separated probed, I was invited to the second round.

* 2nd round:
I have met with 2 directors and 1 managing director.

I was interviewed by the 3 people all together.

One of the directors is responsible for the sector that I am working on. I was asked a few questions about the industry. Somehow that led to questions about my financing experience (dealing with debt funds, banks etc). I was also asked questions on my technical but not in the same detailed way in the 1st round.

I did not pass this round. Somehow, they thought I am more a financing analyst than a M&A analyst.