How to Answer 'Why M&A' at Lazard 2027 (Without Sounding Generic)
"Why M&A?" — the classic why M&A Lazard motivation question — kills more 2027 applications than any technical question. The standard answer — "I'm passionate about finance and deals excite me" — says nothing, and Lazard's interviewers have heard it ten thousand times. Here is how to answer "Why M&A" at Lazard like a future banker, not a student.
What the 'Why M&A Lazard' Question Really Tests
"Why M&A" tests whether you understand what the job actually is. Lazard interviewers are checking three things: that you know M&A means long hours on granular analysis, that your motivation survives contact with reality, and that you specifically want advisory work — not markets, not PE, not "finance" in general. A generic answer signals you would take any finance job; a specific answer signals you want this one.
How to Answer 'Why M&A Lazard' Without Sounding Generic
Follow this formula:
- Reject the generic: Never say "I love finance" or "deals are exciting". Start with what M&A actually involves — advising boards on their most consequential decisions.
- Make it concrete: Reference something real. "I followed Lazard's advisory work on [deal] and was struck by how the merger rationale played out in the valuation" beats any adjective.
- Show you know the grind: Mention that you are drawn to the analytical intensity and responsibility — building models your MD relies on, working on live transactions. This tells them you won't quit in month two.
- Tie it to Lazard: Close by linking M&A to Lazard's independent model — advising without conflicts, which is the purest form of the work.
The whole answer should run about two minutes. Rehearse it until the structure is automatic.
Why a Generic 'Why M&A' Fails at Lazard
Lazard's deal teams are lean — analysts get real responsibility fast, and the hours are real. Interviewers use "Why M&A" to filter out candidates who romanticise banking from the outside. If your answer could apply to trading, asset management, or consulting, it tells them you haven't thought about what M&A actually entails. In a 2027 applicant pool where everyone has similar grades, motivation questions are where differentiation happens.
FAQ
Can I say I want to do private equity later? No. Never mention exit opportunities in a "Why M&A" answer — it tells Lazard you see them as a stepping stone.
Should I mention a personal experience with M&A? Yes, if genuine — a deal you followed, an internship, even a case competition. Real beats rehearsed.
How is 'Why M&A' different from 'Why Lazard'? "Why M&A" is about the career; "Why Lazard" is about the firm. Don't recycle the same content across both answers.
Does this question appear in the video interview too? Yes — "Why M&A" is a staple of Lazard's video interview questions, so prepare a recorded-length version.
Preparing for Lazard's video interview? Our 2027 Lazard Online Assessment Video Interview Exact Questions and Answers has the exact questions and answers — $79 one-time, instant download.
