Lazard Interview Questions
The most common technical, behavioral, and fit questions asked in Lazard investment banking interviews. Based on real interview experiences from successful candidates.
Last updated April 2026 · By the Superday AI editorial team
Practice Lazard questions with AI
Get instant feedback on your answers with AI mock interviews.
Technical Questions
- Walk me through a restructuring scenario where a company has $500M in debt trading at 60 cents on the dollar with $50M EBITDA. What are the strategic options, and how would you advise the company versus the creditor committee?
- Explain the concept of fulcrum security in a restructuring context. How do you identify it, and why does it matter for recovery analysis?
- Walk me through a sum-of-the-parts valuation for a conglomerate considering a spin-off. How do you value the RemainCo versus the SpinCo, and what drives the potential value creation?
- A company is exploring a cross-border merger with a target in a different currency. How do you think about the valuation implications of currency risk, and what hedging strategies would you recommend?
- Compare and contrast Chapter 11 reorganization with an out-of-court restructuring. When would you advise a client to file versus negotiate, and what are the key considerations?
Behavioral Questions
- Lazard is known for its intellectual culture. Tell me about a complex problem you dissected analytically. What frameworks did you use and what was your conclusion?
- Lazard has both advisory and asset management businesses. How do you think the dual platform creates value, and why does this combination interest you?
- Describe a time you had to challenge conventional thinking on a project. What was the status quo, and how did you approach the situation?
- Why Lazard over Evercore or Centerview? Be specific about what differentiates our culture and platform.
- Tell me about something you have read recently about restructuring, sovereign advisory, or capital structure that you found intellectually stimulating.
Fit Questions
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Tell me about a time you worked on a team.
- Describe a time you failed.
- How do you handle pressure?
- What questions do you have for me?
Tips for Lazard Interviews
- Lazard is a restructuring powerhouse alongside its M&A advisory practice. Prepare for detailed questions on debt restructuring, distressed situations, and creditor dynamics that you would not encounter at most other banks.
- The firm's intellectual culture is real and distinctive. Lazard values candidates who read broadly, think independently, and can articulate sophisticated views on markets and business. Come prepared to discuss ideas, not just technicals.
- Lazard's asset management division is a significant part of the firm's identity. Understanding how the dual platform works and what it means for the firm's culture and client relationships demonstrates genuine interest.
- Sovereign advisory is a unique Lazard strength. If you have views on government debt, sovereign restructurings, or geopolitical dynamics affecting capital markets, this is the place to share them.
- Lazard interviewers tend to be more conversational and intellectually probing than at bulge brackets. Prepare for open-ended discussions that test the depth of your thinking rather than rote technical recall.