Investment Banking · ~3-5% acceptance rate

Rothschild & Co Interview Preparation

The most prestigious advisory boutique — pure M&A with unmatched deal volume

~30,000+

Applications

~3-5%

Offer rate

£65,000 base

Graduate salary

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Rothschild & Co — HireVue Practice

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Application process

How to get into Rothschild & Co — step by step

Online Application

Opens September-October.

Rothschild is pure advisory — no trading, no underwriting. Show you understand and want M&A specifically.

Online Assessment

Within 2 weeks

Numerical and verbal reasoning tests. Technical aptitude assessment may be included.

Video/Phone Interview

2-4 weeks after assessment

Mix of behavioural and technical. Expect "walk me through a DCF" even at first stage.

Assessment Centre / Superday

November-February

Multiple interviews with senior bankers. Very technical. Expect detailed M&A and valuation questions.

Offer

Within 1-2 weeks

Rothschild offers competitive boutique pay. Strong reputation for analyst development.

Interview questions

Rothschild & Co interview questions by round

Questions change at every stage. Know what to expect.

1Why Rothschild?
2Why advisory over full-service banking?
3Walk me through a DCF.
4Tell me about a recent M&A deal.
5Describe a time you showed attention to detail.

What they value

What Rothschild & Co looks for in candidates

M&A passion

Rothschild is pure advisory. They want people who are genuinely interested in M&A dealmaking, not just "banking."

Technical excellence

Advisory boutiques are more technical than bulge brackets. Expect detailed valuation and modelling questions.

Attention to detail

Advisory work is precision-focused. One error in a fairness opinion can have legal consequences.

Commercial judgement

They advise boards on the most important decisions. Show you can think strategically, not just analytically.

Work ethic

Lean teams mean long hours and high responsibility. Evidence of sustained effort under pressure.

Client relationship skills

Advisory is relationship-driven. Show emotional intelligence and communication skills.

Compensation

Rothschild & Co salary & benefits

Graduate

~£65,000 base (~£100K+ total comp)

Intern

~£55,000 pro-rata

Perks & benefits

Health insurancePensionGym membership25 days holidayTraining programmeSmall team exposureTravel opportunities

Culture & work style

What it's actually like to work at Rothschild & Co

Pure M&A advisory — no trading floor, no underwriting

70-80 hours/week — comparable to GS

Lean teams — analysts get significant deal exposure

London office in the City (New Court, St Swithin's Lane)

Prestigious brand — longest-standing name in banking

Small graduate intake — tight-knit community

Direct exposure to senior bankers and clients

Highest deal volume of any advisory firm

Insider tips

How to stand out at Rothschild & Co

Know what advisory means — Rothschild advises, they don't underwrite or trade. Explain why that appeals to you.

Reference Rothschild's deal volume — they consistently advise on more deals by number than any other bank

Their history is a differentiator but don't dwell on it. Focus on current deal activity.

Technical preparation is critical. Boutique interviews are harder technically than bulge brackets.

Small intake means every candidate is scrutinised. Prepare more thoroughly than for a bulge bracket.

Compare

Rothschild & Co vs competitors

Firm	Salary	Hours	Culture	Exit opps
Rothschild & Co	~£65,000 base (~£100K+ total comp)	70-80/week	Pure M&A advisory — no trading floor, no...	—
Lazard	~£65K / ~£110K+ total	75-85/week	Even more intense, US-style	Very strong
Goldman Sachs (M&A)	~£65K / ~£95K total	70-80/week	Broader platform	Strongest
Evercore	~£70K / ~£120K+ total	80-90/week	Highest pay, hardest hours	Very strong
PJT Partners	~£70K / ~£120K+ total	75-85/week	Elite boutique, small teams	Very strong

FAQ

Rothschild & Co FAQs

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