William Blair Analyst Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 43 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Candidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at William Blair.
William Blair
Summer Analyst
Entry Difficult Negative experience Decline offer 3 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen Technical screen
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical Case
Typical interview process. What’s the most important: Money, honour, or knowledge? What’s the square root of 341? Why should we not give you the job? Which other investment bank, apart from Morgan Stanley, do you like the most and why? Is political risk in Eastern Europe a serious threat for banks? Briefly walk through a discounted cash flow analysis (including WACC). What is the formula for enterprise value? What is minority interest and why do we add it in the enterprise value formula? Which will place a higher value on the company, equity comparables (trading comps) or M&A comparables (transaction comps) and why? A company makes a $100 cash purchase of equipment on Dec. 31. How does this impact the three statements this year and next year? Tell me how would you value a company? Which are the most used financial tools in this area? Why cannot we use EV/Earnings or Price/EBITDA as valuation metrics? What factors can lead to the dilution of EPS in an acquisition? Why do we subtract cash in the enterprise value formula?
Confirmed questions8 questions
- What is more important: money, honour, or knowledge?
- Calculate the square root of 341.
- Explain why we should not hire you.
William Blair
Analyst
Mid Difficult Negative experience No offer 1 round
Interview process
Recruiter call
Interview formats
Behavioral
I met with recruiters from William Blair at the Northwestern University Job Fair. They were interviewing students and alumni on the spot. One recruiter spoke with me and immediately decided I wasn't qualified for any positions without asking any questions. They stated an MBA was needed for associate positions, and I was overqualified for analyst positions. I asked what it would take to apply for any position. This is funny because I have a Master's degree from Northwestern and many years of financial experience. Many of my former coworkers who don't have Master's degrees or extensive experience work at William Blair. Even my former manager's wife worked there as an associate after getting her MBA, then left. It seems like they were making excuses. I don't think they should have been at the job fair recruiting. Their comments were insulting. I wouldn't want to apply or recommend anyone to apply.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Can you tell me about your experience?
William Blair
Summer Analyst
Intern Average Positive experience Accept offer 4 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen Onsite Offer
Interview formats
Technical Behavioral
I sent in an app online after chatting with some alumni from the bank. Then I did a Koru personality test, followed by a phone screen, and finally a two-day LIFT program superday in Chicago. Got the offer two business days after that. The phone screen was mostly fit questions with some basic technicals. The Superday had three 30-minute interviews, two behavioral and one technical. They really care about fit, and won't reject you for messing up a technical question or two.
Confirmed questions3 questions
- What is the impact of increased capital expenditures and retained earnings on cash flows?
- If a company has 1BN revenue, 20% EBITDA margin, is leveraged 5x, and trades at 20x EBITDA, what's the maximum leverage that can be used for an acquisition?
- Describe the impact on the three financial statements from a 10MM revenue understatement and a 40% tax rate.
William Blair Analyst Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from William Blair interview reports.
“What is the reason for subtracting cash when calculating enterprise value?”
Read reports →“What is minority interest and why is it included in the enterprise value calculation?”
Read reports →“Why are EV/Earnings or Price/EBITDA not suitable as valuation metrics?”
Read reports →“Given a company's $100 cash purchase of equipment on December 31st, how would this affect the three financial statements in the current year and the following year?”
Read reports →“What is the impact of increased capital expenditures and retained earnings on cash flows?”
Read report →“Describe the impact on the three financial statements from a 10MM revenue understatement and a 40% tax rate.”
Read report →“If a company has 1BN revenue, 20% EBITDA margin, is leveraged 5x, and trades at 20x EBITDA, what's the maximum leverage that can be used for an acquisition?”
Read report →“Of the valuation methods, which one typically yields the highest valuation?”
Read report →“Can you explain how to calculate unlevered free cash flows?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 43 William Blair interview reports.