Is this a valid reason for wanting to get a job in M&A?
I'm currently applying for off-cycle (6 month) M&A internships and full time M&A analyst roles in London. As weird as it may sound, I don't particularly wan't to work in M&A because I find the work interesting. In fact, I find it no more or less interesting than private equity, PWM, asset management, consulting etc. I'm also not particularly interested in the money that comes with it. My education and experience just seems to point in the direction of a finance career.
The reason I want to work in M&A in particular is because I want a very difficult job. I want to be pushed mentally and be in a position where I'm constantly being challenged intellectually. It's because I'm a bit too competitive and the only way I see myself beating everyone else's progress is by placing myself in this sort of environment.
Of course, in interviews I don't plan to say 'I'm no more or less interested in M&A than other finance areas.' But is it valid for my main reason to 'Why do you want to work in M&A?' to be along the lines of 'because I want to be pushed to my limits... I want to be tested mentally and intellectually and I don't think other financial roles will do this to the same extent.... I am very ambitious and can't stand a more ordinary job where I will know that my future rivals/competitors will be miles ahead of me.
That´s perfectly valid, most of your peers will more or less feel the same. Just coat it in a bit of sugar and say something about the inherently educating nature of transactions or whatever, after that you can ramble on about your drive and competiveness without end.
nothing intellectually challenging about aligning boxes on ppt & reordering logos in alphabetical order.
Haha I guess that's true but I assumed it's the same for all entry level roles in finance. Extra motivation to get promoted quicker I suppose.
i would guess that you might get a better response if you structure your answer about the deals process itself. the finding of a target, the rationalisation behind the transaction, the negotiation & analysis behind the bid, knowing when to back down etc etc.
your interviewers would be working in M&A so know its not particularly intellectually challenging. if you wanted that youd go into research or something
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