Interview Help

You could have typed this on google with "wall street oasis" / "Merger and inquisition" ...

I will assume Intern / Analyst / Asso level for an Investment focused role:

- Have a nice / concise with numbers introduction ready (IB type, you'll find a ton of them)

- Why RE? (Google)

- Why our firm? (asset classes and market covered, make them feel smart targeting sectors with tailwind through examples and above all use this question to show you know the market, ie: read a CBRE/JLL report)

"I've seen this refurb of a grade II listed building that you've then converted into serviced office, must have been tricky with planning permissions but should perform now. As we know current market constraints growth, it's true especially for poorer quality / badly located office, however there is still strong demand for best quality offices such as yours blablabla... Also I've read that service offices perform well due to the increase in self-employment, allowing individuals to get a desk for a fraction of the price of a classic office, hence a nice demand blabla..."

Know the business model: Do they just flip assets? Have a REIT for exit? Do they operate their assets with in-house brands? "Saw you were operating your hotels via the brand XYZ, I think it's crucial in the current market to bend on operations to target long-term alpha returns..."

Culture / Impact: "It's always hard to feel the culture of a firm when you're not part of it but I feel like: blablabla collegial atmosphere, want to learn framed by best-in-class people... blablabla ESG credentials not only to tick boxes and secure capital but real vision as I could see with these apricot trees on the roof of Asset WXY..."

- Financial modeling skills? Train, then tell the magic words: Assumptions tab, CF tab, sensitivities, readable and easy to be amended... stress tests, KPIs: IRR, EMx, Promote... (Show them you know the financial modeling good practice)

- If you had $Xm in what would you invest? (Avoid 10% shopping center + 90% doge coin)

- Why you / What would you bring? Make parallels with previous experiences 

- 2 identical buildings in front of you, which one do you acquire and why 

- What's the best, equity or debt? Google

PREPARE QUESTIONS - a ton of smart questions in different WOS threads

Far from being an exhaustive list and sorry for the terrible jokes among the lines but just make them think "he ticks all the boxes regarding the job description". 

Be humble, smile, try to sound curious and smart! (He's not going to fuck everything up and it must be fun to grab a drink with him/her)