Got a Lazard interview coming up, really wondering on how to approach 'why Lazard'. I love the company for operating in small teams, having excellent deal flow and being the best independent I-bank in the past 5 years (except for 2017). What other things could I add to not answer this question too badly?
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In the US at least, you're more likely to work on highly complex deals at Lazard than you are at either Evercore or Rothschild. (Especially Rothschild - their presence in the US is small). If you're going to mention this, I'd have a couple of their recent transactions you can point to as examples, but Lazard does a lot of buysides, cross-border deals, carve-outs, distressed deals, etc. As an analyst, the work on those is very challenging, but will teach you a ton.
My answer for Why Laz when I interviewed there two months ago:
• From talking with people at the firm, you all stressed how positive the culture is. Rather than being really cutthroat and competitive, the culture sounds a lot more collegial and cooperative • Along with that, the people I talked to really emphasized how much responsibility they were given at such an early stage. I see that as a really positive thing because it’s in my opinion the best way to learn as an analyst. • Lastly, I’m also really attracted to the generalist internship program. I’m interested in trying out both restructuring and coverage, and so Lazard’s program will give me a great way to do both.
Other aspects you could touch on: Pure advisory, small but big hitter, independent, generalist internship but group defined full time program
Note: this is for their NY generalist program. Your answer will obv differ if it's for something else.
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