Interview: Senior Acq Role at Pension Fund

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some key points to consider and prepare for your interview for a senior acquisitions role at a pension fund:

1. Understanding of the Fund's Strategy and Portfolio:

   • Be familiar with the pension fund's investment strategy, including their target asset classes, geographic focus, and risk tolerance.
   • Review their current portfolio and recent transactions to understand their investment preferences and performance.

2. Technical Knowledge:

   • Be prepared to discuss your experience with financial modeling, including DCF, LBO, and other valuation techniques.
   • Understand the characteristics and structure of different types of debt (senior, junior, mezzanine, equity) and be able to discuss the differences between investment-grade bonds and high-yield bonds.

3. Deal Experience:

   • Highlight your previous deal experience, particularly any large or complex transactions.
   • Be ready to discuss specific deals you have worked on, including your role, the challenges faced, and the outcomes.

4. Market Knowledge:

   • Have an opinion on both the fixed income markets and equities markets.
   • Be prepared to discuss current market trends and how they might impact the pension fund's investment strategy.

5. Behavioral Questions:

   • Be ready to discuss your thought process and how you approach new deals.
   • Prepare to talk about your ability to be trained and your methodical approach to problem-solving.

6. Credit Analysis:

   • Be prepared to discuss how you assess a company's debt capacity and your knowledge of the yield curve.
   • Understand how to perform a roll back/roll forward largest customer analysis.

7. Questions for the Interviewer:

   • Prepare insightful questions about the fund's future strategy, team structure, and any recent changes in their investment approach.

Good luck with your interview!

Sources: J.P. Morgan HireVue Interview Questions: What to Expect, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/private-equity/on-cycle-recruiting-2018-what-to-expect?customgpt=1, leveraged finance interview - what to prep, What to expect at VC interview?, Preparing for the HF informational interview