Best resources for mastering technical finance interviews

Question

I’ve been going through the standard guides (like the Rosenbaum & Pearl book), but I still struggle with some technical questions in interviews. Are there other resources, practice methods, or strategies that can help?

Answer 1

Hi Pascal,

great question and I’ve coached a lot of candidates who started with Rosenbaum & Pearl but then felt stuck after a while. It's absolutely normal.

From my perspective, the key to a successful interview preparation is combining different approaches. Some of my most successful coachees didn’t just read guides; they practiced out loud, literally explaining valuation methods to a friend or even just to themselves. It forces you to structure your thoughts clearly. Others found it game-changing to build their own financial models from scratch rather than just following templates.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of mock interviews. I’ve seen people go from hesitant to confident just by getting live feedback and adjusting their approach. At the end of the day, mastering technicals isn’t just about memorizing. It’s about making the concepts second nature so you can apply them under pressure.

If you need any support on the way, please feel free to reach out.

Answer 2

Hey Pascal,

It sounds like you're already on the right track by using guides like Investment Banking by Rosenbaum & Pearl, but sometimes additional resources and more targeted practice can make a big difference. To really strengthen your technical interview prep, consider supplementing your reading with online courses from platforms like Wall Street Prep, Breaking Into Wall Street, or the Corporate Finance Institute, as they offer structured lessons on financial modeling, accounting, and valuation techniques. You might also want to practice building models from scratch using resources like Financial Modeling by Simon Benninga, which provides hands-on exercises. Beyond that, practicing with technical questions from sites like Mergers & Inquisitions or Glassdoor can help you familiarize yourself with the types of questions interviewers typically ask. Excel is crucial, so sharpening your skills with Excel Exposure or practicing financial models will boost your efficiency in interviews. Additionally, reading up on real-world case studies and keeping up with financial news will give you the context needed to answer questions more naturally. Finally, don’t underestimate the power of mock interviews—getting feedback and refining your approach based on real-time practice is one of the best ways to improve. With a combination of consistent study, hands-on practice, and real-world exposure, you’ll be well-equipped for technical finance interviews.

Answer 3

Here are some of the best resources for mastering technical finance interviews:

Online Courses/Platforms:
- Wall Street Prep: Widely considered a gold standard for financial modeling and interview prep ("The Red Book" is highly recommended).
- Breaking Into Wall Street (BIWS): Excellent for practical, real-world application of finance concepts to interview questions.
- Corporate Finance Institute (CFI): Offers various courses and a good bank of common finance interview questions.
- Udemy/Coursera: Look for highly-rated courses on financial modeling, valuation, and investment banking fundamentals.
Interview Guides/Books:
- "Vault Guide to Finance Interviews": A classic for a reason, covers a wide range of questions and concepts.
- "Mergers & Inquisitions" (website): Has extensive articles and guides on technical questions, including the "400 Investment Banking Interview Questions & Answers."
- "Street of Walls": Offers training courses that delve into investment banking technicals.
Online Communities/Forums:
- Wall Street Oasis (WSO): A very active forum with thousands of interview questions, shared experiences, and advice.
- Reddit (r/FinancialCareers, r/investing): Can provide real-time questions and insights from recent interviewees.
Concept-Specific Resources:
- Investopedia: For quick definitions and explanations of financial terms.
- Aswath Damodaran's website (NYU Stern): For deep dives into valuation theory and practical examples.
- YouTube: Many channels offer free tutorials on financial modeling, accounting basics, and valuation.

Answer 4

My last interview was also called a case interview and was one in the sense that I was presented with a business situ... (read entire answer)

My last interview was also called a case interview and was one in the sense that I was presented with a business situation and had to make suggestions for action based on this i... (read entire answer)