20 Lincoln International Interview Questions and Answers

Lincoln International is a leading provider of mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, valuations, fairness opinions, and jv advisory services. The company has a long history of helping clients navigate the complex world of business transactions.

If you’re interviewing for a position at Lincoln International, you can expect to be asked a range of questions about your experience, skills, and knowledge of the industry. In this article, we’ll provide some sample Lincoln International interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Lincoln International Interview Process

The interview process at Lincoln International is generally two rounds, with the first being a phone screen with an associate and the second being a digital superday where you meet with 2 VPs, 2 associates, 2 analysts, and a managing director. The interviews are mostly fit-based, with some technical questions mixed in. Overall, the interview process is fairly easy and quick, with most people being able to get through it within a week or two.

1. What is your experience with financial statement analysis?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with financial statements and how you use them to analyze a company’s performance. Use examples from past experiences where you used financial statement analysis to make decisions or recommendations.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for analyzing financial statements of companies we were acquiring. In this process, I would compare the target company’s financial statements to those of similar companies in their industry. This helped me determine if the company had any red flags that could affect its future success. If there were no major issues, I would then look at the company’s cash flow statements to see if they matched up with the balance sheet.”

2. How do you think the market will change over the next year and how would that affect our company?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to the company. It also shows that they are looking for someone who can think critically about the market and make predictions.

Example: “I believe that there will be more mergers and acquisitions in the next year, which would affect Lincoln International because we specialize in those services. I also predict that there will be an increase in IPOs due to the tax reform bill passed last year.”

3. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult client, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether or not you have experience dealing with clients who are difficult to work with. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about what happened and how you handled the situation.

Example: “In my previous role as a financial advisor, I had a client who was very demanding of me. They would often call me multiple times per day asking for updates on their portfolio. While I always responded to them in a timely manner, they continued to get upset with me when I couldn’t give them an exact time frame for when they could expect to see returns on their investments. Eventually, I scheduled a meeting with them where we discussed their concerns. We came up with a plan that allowed them to feel more comfortable while still allowing me to do my job.”

4. Give an example of a time where you were working on multiple projects at once, how did you manage it?

This question is a great way to show your ability to multitask and prioritize tasks. It also shows the interviewer that you can manage multiple projects at once, which is an important skill for this role.

Example: “In my current position as a financial analyst, I am often working on multiple projects at once. For example, last month I was working on three different mergers and acquisitions while also completing two valuations and one fairness opinion. While it may seem like a lot of work, I have found that if I plan ahead and organize my time well, I can complete all of these projects in a timely manner.”

5. Describe a time where you worked in a team environment and also had to work independently, what was that like for you?

This question is a great way to show your ability to work in a team environment and also how you can be independent when needed. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills that make you a valuable member of a team while also showing that you’re capable of working independently.

Example: “In my last position as an analyst, I worked with a team of three other analysts on a project for one of our clients. We all had different strengths and weaknesses, but we were able to work together to create a final product that was beneficial to our client.”

6. Why do you want to work for Lincoln International?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. When preparing for this question, make sure you research Lincoln International thoroughly and read through any recent news articles or press releases that they may have published. This will help you understand what makes them unique as a company and allow you to discuss why you are excited to work there.

Example: “I want to work for Lincoln International because of its reputation for being one of the most innovative companies in the industry. I’ve done extensive research on the company and learned that it has won several awards for its mergers and acquisitions services. I am very interested in working for a company that values innovation and creativity, which is something I feel like I can contribute to.”

7. Have you ever interned at a tech firm before?

If you have experience working at a tech company, the interviewer may ask you to elaborate on your role and what you learned. If you haven’t worked in a tech firm before, you can talk about how you would approach this type of work if hired by Lincoln International.

Example: “I interned at Google last summer where I was part of their marketing team. My job was to create content for social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. It was an amazing opportunity that taught me valuable skills such as creating compelling visuals and writing copy that resonates with audiences.”

8. What are some things you have done to develop your leadership skills?

Leadership skills are important for anyone in a management position. Employers ask this question to see if you have any experience developing your leadership skills and how they can help you succeed in the role. Use your answer to explain what you’ve done to develop your leadership skills and provide an example of when you used those skills to be successful.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in leadership, so I took several classes on leadership styles and theories. In my last job, I was promoted to manager, and I found that many of the theories I learned about were useful in my new role. For instance, I noticed that delegating tasks based on each team member’s strengths helped me manage my team more effectively.”

9. If hired, what kind of impact would you hope to make within the first 2 years?

This question is a great way to show your ambition and desire for success. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you would like to accomplish in the first two years of employment with Lincoln International.

Example: “I hope that within my first year at Lincoln International, I will have made significant progress on several projects. In my second year, I hope to become an expert in mergers and acquisitions and help lead some major deals.”

10. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the specific actions you took that helped the customer in some way.

Example: “When I was working as an investment banker, one of my clients came to me with a request for information about a company they were interested in acquiring. After researching the company, I found out that there was a lot more information available than what was publicly known. So, I spent several hours gathering all of the information on the company and sent it back to my client. They ended up purchasing the company after seeing the additional information.”

11. Are you comfortable working long hours during busy times of the year?

This question is a good way to determine if the company you’re interviewing with has busy times of the year. If they do, it’s important to know how much time you’ll be spending at work and whether or not that will affect your personal life.

Example: “I am comfortable working long hours during busy times of the year. I understand that sometimes there are no other options but to put in extra hours when deadlines are approaching. In my previous role, we had several months where we were extremely busy, so I’m used to putting in extra time.”

12. Do you consider yourself more of a leader or a follower?

This question is designed to determine your leadership style and how you would fit into the company culture. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you were both a leader and follower in order to show that you are comfortable with either role.

Example: “I consider myself more of a leader than a follower. I believe this is because I am naturally curious about what others think and feel, which leads me to ask questions and learn from my colleagues. However, I also enjoy taking on a leadership role when necessary. For example, at my last job, we had a new hire who was struggling to meet deadlines. I took them aside and explained our expectations for their work and offered to help them develop strategies to improve their performance.”

13. We pride ourselves on being able to provide excellent service to customers while keeping them happy. Can you give us an example of a time where you provided great customer service?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the skills and experience needed for this role. When answering, it can be helpful to think of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer or client.

Example: “In my last position as an analyst, I was working with a client who had some concerns about their company’s valuation. They were worried that we might not be able to provide them with the best service possible because they weren’t one of our larger clients. I assured them that we would do everything in our power to make sure they got the best service possible. We ended up providing them with a detailed report on their valuation, which helped put their mind at ease.”

14. How many transactions have you been involved in?

This question is a great way to gauge the level of experience you have in your field. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list out the companies or organizations that you’ve worked with and what type of services you provided for them.

Example: “In my five years as an M&A consultant, I’ve been involved in over 20 transactions. Some of these include working with a small startup company looking to raise capital through equity financing and helping a large corporation find a merger partner.”

15. Which industries are you most interested in?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company’s industry and how you can contribute. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an industry that Lincoln International works in or one that you have experience with.

Example: “I am most interested in working for a company that focuses on helping small businesses grow. I worked at a startup for two years before coming here, so I know what it takes to get a business off the ground. I would love to use my skills to help other entrepreneurs succeed.”

16. What are your thoughts on the current state of healthcare?

Healthcare is a major issue in the United States, and Lincoln International works with many healthcare companies. Your answer to this question will show your knowledge of the industry and how you can help clients navigate it.

Example: “I think that healthcare is one of the most important issues facing our country today. I believe we need to find ways to make healthcare more affordable for everyone while still maintaining quality care. One way to do this would be to reduce administrative costs by streamlining paperwork and eliminating redundancies. Another solution could be to increase competition among insurance providers.”

17. Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your manager, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and whether or not you’re able to work independently. When answering, it’s important to show that you can respectfully disagree with your manager while still maintaining a positive relationship.

Example: “In my last role as an analyst, I disagreed with my manager about which company we should acquire. My manager wanted to pursue one company, but I felt like another would be more beneficial for our company. Instead of speaking up in front of everyone, I waited until after the meeting to speak with my manager privately. We discussed why I thought the other company was better, and he agreed to consider it.”

18. What do you know about mergers and acquisitions?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of mergers and acquisitions. It also allows you to show the interviewer that you have experience with this type of work. If you don’t have any direct experience, you can talk about what you know about M&A from working in other industries or reading articles on the subject.

Example: “I’ve worked for several companies that were involved in mergers and acquisitions. I understand how important it is to make sure all parties are happy with the deal. I also know that there are many different types of deals, so I am prepared to handle whatever situation comes up.”

19. When was the last time you used Excel for something other than basic calculations?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the ability to use Excel for more than just simple calculations. It also shows them that you are willing to take on challenging projects and complete them successfully.

Example: “I used Excel to create an entire database of all my clients’ contact information, including their email addresses, phone numbers and mailing addresses. I was able to export this data into a CSV file so I could import it into our CRM system. This allowed me to keep track of all my client’s important information in one place.”

20. Have you ever dealt with a complicated legal matter?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your problem-solving skills and ability to work with attorneys. Use examples from previous jobs or personal experiences that highlight your analytical thinking, communication skills and attention to detail.

Example: “In my last position as a financial analyst for a small startup company, I noticed some discrepancies in the company’s finances. After looking into it further, I discovered that one of the employees was embezzling money from the company. I reported this information to my supervisor, who then informed the company’s board members. The employee was fired, and the company recovered all of its lost funds.”