Definitely high on the a-hole factor.
Overall a rigged process that seeks to intimidate rather than expose. The extreme that what you would find on Wall Street, i.e. glorified accountants parading as masterminds while, at the same time, hiding behind a hierarchy.
The firm. A mid markets TMT M&A boutique (not sure why this word applies; most probably to add to overall mystique and sex appeal) that has closed c.55 deals since 2003. Has 55 bankers worldwide in offices in Palo Alto, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Sidney, and London. Engaged in venture capital backed exits, private equity recaps, sell-side and buy side advisory. Seniors have tons of 'sector experience' and if you are lucky some of it could rub off on you through some osmotic process. Have closed a number of deals since the beginning of 2012, notably Arquiva acquisition of Spectrum Interactive, Thompson Reuters acquisition of Zaweeya. Impressive no? All of this is on their website btw.
Expect to be asked a number of questions to destabilize. There is a good cop, bad cop element to the panel interview so be mindful. Ahh, yes! It is that sophisticated. Suggest preparing by working at a large bulge bracket in a TMT sector team where you will have picked up all the necessary idiosyncrasies that will allow you to be an effective tool--that is, a shallow understanding of the sector masked by great bulls------g skills, blind greed, compromise of whatever humanistic principles and values you already possessed, and most importantly a vague notion of what work life balance represents. But you knew all of this already.
Live long and prosper!
