Moelis & Company Interview Questions: Technical, Behavioral & Fit (2026)
The most common technical, behavioral, and fit questions asked in Moelis & Company investment banking interviews. Based on real interview experiences from successful candidates.
Last updated April 2026 · By the Superday AI editorial team
Practice Moelis & Company questions with AI
Get instant feedback on your answers with AI mock interviews.
Technical Questions
- Walk me through the key differences between a friendly and hostile M&A transaction. How does a hostile bid change the analysis for both the acquirer's and target's financial advisors?
- A company has two potential acquirers: one offering a higher price but with significant regulatory risk, and one offering a lower but more certain bid. How would you frame the analysis for the board?
- Walk me through a comparable company analysis. How do you select the right peer group, and what adjustments do you make for differences in growth, margins, and capital structure?
- If a company's EBITDA includes a large amount of stock-based compensation, how does that affect your valuation? Should you add it back or leave it in, and why?
- A PE firm approaches your client with an unsolicited bid. Walk me through the process of evaluating the offer and the strategic alternatives available to the board.
Behavioral Questions
- Moelis is known for its entrepreneurial culture. Give me an example of a time you took initiative to create something or pursue an opportunity without being asked.
- Ken Moelis built this firm from scratch. What does that entrepreneurial origin mean to you, and how does it influence your interest in working here?
- Tell me about a time you had to be persistent in the face of repeated obstacles. What kept you going and what was the outcome?
- Moelis emphasizes aggressive deal sourcing. How do you think about business development in the context of an advisory firm?
- Describe a time you had to work with limited resources and still deliver a strong result. What did you prioritize?
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 Moelis & Company Interviews
- Moelis's entrepreneurial culture is not marketing language; it genuinely defines how the firm operates. Demonstrate that you are a self-starter who creates value proactively, not someone who waits for assignments.
- Ken Moelis's personal brand and founding story are central to the firm's identity. Show that you know the history and respect the vision of building a premier advisory firm from the ground up.
- Moelis has a particularly strong activist defense and shareholder advisory practice. Preparing for questions about proxy fights, activist situations, and board advisory will differentiate you.
- The firm's interview process tests raw ambition alongside technical skill. Moelis wants hungry, driven candidates who treat every deal as their own business. Convey this energy authentically.
- Moelis's global reach from a small firm platform is distinctive. Show awareness of their offices beyond New York (London, Dubai, Sydney) and the cross-border capabilities this creates.
More Moelis & Company Resources
Sources
- Moelis & Company - Careers. Moelis & Company (accessed 2026-05-14)
- Discounted Cash Flow Valuation - Aswath Damodaran. Aswath Damodaran (NYU Stern) (accessed 2026-05-14)
- Equity Valuation - CFA Institute Refresher Reading. CFA Institute (accessed 2026-05-14)