Lazard Interview Guide
Everything we know about interviewing at Lazard: the process stage by stage, what each round tests, compensation by level, and reports from candidates who interviewed.
Interviewing at Lazard
What the process looks like, and what Lazard is really testing for.
You apply to Lazard and then move through a mostly structured funnel that can start with online applications and assessments, then screening calls, video or recorded interviews, and finally multiple technical and behavioral rounds. Across roles, the themes repeat: how you communicate, how you reason under constraints, and whether you can do the technical work tied to finance and analytics.
The interview topics show Lazard puts very heavy weight on valuation and modeling work, with DCF valuation and DCF modeling both at the top percentile for technical skills, plus financial modeling generally. On the analytics side, Python and marketing analytics are also top percentile, and data science fundamentals, model building, and quantitative research appear as very prominent topics for roles that cover ML or research. Behavioral and fit are also consistently assessed, and communication skills are highly prominent.
What the loop is actually testing is a blend: technical correctness in valuation or analytics tasks, domain knowledge like equity research and valuation concepts, and the ability to explain your thinking clearly while operating under time pressure. Candidate reports also describe multiple consecutive rounds and assessment-style steps, and several report that early stages were more technical or more time constrained than they expected.
Your technical bar shows up very early and very clearly in the topic mix: DCF valuation and DCF modeling are top percentile, Python is top percentile, and many candidates report timed, high-pressure assessments or interviews even before later in-person rounds.
The Lazard interview process
5 stages, based on 500 candidate reports.
Online application and standardized testing, or online assessment
Not specifiedYou submit an online application and may complete standardized testing in numerical and verbal reasoning. Some roles also report an online assessment as an initial evaluation of technical skills relevant to the role.
Initial screening, phone screening, or HR screening
Not specifiedYou go through an initial screening to assess qualifications and fit. The process can include HR screening or phone screening conversations that cover why the role and background, and in some reports the phone stage includes technical questions as well.
Recorded or video interviews and/or early assessment steps
Not specifiedYou may complete a recorded interview, described as structured with prompts and limited preparation time for some questions, often including motivation and behavioral fit. Some reports also describe multi-part online assessment sections that mix reasoning and video prompts.
Multiple technical and behavioral rounds, including in-person and case-style work
Not specifiedYou move into technical interviews and behavioral interviews, with in-person interviews reported as multiple rounds that cover technical skills, behavioral aspects, and case studies. Several roles describe series of rounds involving associates, vice presidents, and managing directors.
Final round interviews
Not specifiedA final round is reported as back-to-back interviews with managers and technical team members focusing on skills and fit. Prepare to connect your technical reasoning to how you would operate in the role.
What Lazard evaluates
How often each skill shows up across reported interview loops.
Interview guides by role
Each guide has the questions Lazard interviewers actually ask, the loop structure, and total compensation by level.
What Lazard pays, by level
Estimated total compensation: base salary plus stock and annual cash bonus.
Insider tips
Patterns from candidates who got offers, and the mistakes that most often sink a loop.
Real interview experiences by role
Read what candidates said about interviewing at Lazard: the loop, difficulty, and outcomes, straight from recent reports for each role.
Lazard interview FAQ
Answered from real candidate and workplace data, marked up for rich results.
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