The Merger and Acquisition Interview Questions - English

Technical Questions

What are the different types of mergers and acquisitions?

Understand horizontal, vertical, and conglomerate mergers.

Can you explain the process of an M&A deal?

Outline the stages: strategy development, target identification, due diligence, negotiation, and integration.

What is a discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis?

Be prepared to explain how to value a company using DCF.

How do you determine the value of a target company?

Discuss valuation methods like DCF, comparable company analysis, and precedent transactions.

What are synergies, and why are they important in M&A?

Explain cost synergies vs. revenue synergies.

What are the main considerations when performing due diligence?

Cover financial, legal, operational, and strategic aspects.

Behavioural Questions

Tell me about a time you worked on a team project. What was your role, and what was the outcome?

Describe a challenging situation you faced in a project. How did you handle it?

Why are you interested in a career in M&A?

How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple deals simultaneously?

Give an example of a successful negotiation you participated in. What strategies did you use?

Industry-Specific Questions

What recent M&A deal do you find interesting and why?

Be prepared to discuss the implications and rationale behind recent deals.

How do market conditions affect M&A activity?

What role do private equity firms play in M&A?

Situational Questions

If a target company has a significant legal issue, how would you assess whether to proceed with the acquisition?

How would you handle a situation where the seller is unwilling to disclose crucial financial information?