How to Answer 'Why Should We Choose You' at Lazard 2027
"Why should we choose you?" — the Lazard why should we hire you question — is the bluntest interview question of the 2027 intake, and the easiest to get wrong. Most candidates deliver a brag reel: grades, internships, societies, as a list. Forgettable. Interviewers want something sharper: what do you offer that the next candidate doesn't?
The Lazard Why Should We Hire You Question, Decoded
This Lazard interview question is a test of self-awareness and relevance. The interviewer knows your CV — they want to hear you connect your experience to what Lazard actually needs: analytical rigour, resilience under pressure, genuine interest in advisory work, and the ability to work in lean teams. A list of achievements answers "what have you done". They asked "why you" — which means: why you, for this job, at this firm.
How to Answer Lazard Why Should We Hire You
Use this three-part structure:
- One genuine differentiator: Pick the single thing that sets you apart — not "hardworking" (everyone claims it), but something specific: "I spent six months building financial models for a student fund, so I can contribute from week one" or "I've followed restructuring situations for two years and can discuss them fluently."
- Evidence, not adjectives: Back it with one concrete example. "In my internship I built the comps table the team used in the client deck" beats "I'm detail-oriented."
- The Lazard fit: Close by tying it to the firm — lean teams, early responsibility, independent advisory. "That's why Lazard specifically — I want the responsibility your deal teams give analysts, and I have the preparation to handle it."
Ninety seconds. Confident, not arrogant. Specific, not generic.
Why the Brag Reel Fails
Interviewers at Lazard see hundreds of strong CVs. Reciting yours tells them nothing new and suggests you can't prioritise — a bad sign for an analyst. Worse, pure self-promotion without a Lazard connection reads as "I'd take any prestigious job." The candidates who win this question make the interviewer think: this person has thought about what we need, and they fit.
FAQ
Is it arrogant to sell myself directly? No — they asked you to. The line between confident and arrogant is evidence: claims with proof sound confident; claims without proof sound arrogant.
Should I mention weaknesses in this answer? No. This question is pure sell. Save honesty-about-weakness for the weakness question.
How long should the answer be? About 60–90 seconds. Longer and you start repeating yourself.
Does this question appear in the video interview? It appears more often in final rounds, but prepare a recorded-length version anyway — it can show up anywhere.
Preparing for Lazard's final round? Our 2027 Lazard Online Assessment Video Interview Exact Questions and Answers has the exact questions and answers — $79 one-time, instant download.
