I’m preparing for an upcoming investment banking interview focused on Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT). As someone fresh out of college, I’m wondering what specific types of questions I should be ready for in this sector. I know there are general IB question banks available, but I’m looking for more targeted advice about TMT-specific topics and the kind of technical knowledge they might test. Has anyone been through similar interviews recently? What areas should I focus my preparation on? I want to make sure I’m covering all the key concepts that are most relevant for entry-level TMT positions. Any insights about the interview format or particular emphasis areas would be really helpful.
Focus on recent tech trends and major deals! Study streaming wars, 5G rollouts, and cloud migrations. They love asking about valuation multiples for SaaS companies versus traditional telecom. You’ve got this - enthusiasm for the sector matters just as much as technical knowledge!
i just memorized the big TMT acronyms - OTT, cord-cutting, ARPU. half the questions were pure buzzword bingo. they hit me with weird scenarios comparing gaming company valuations to traditional media. expect them to ask why tech multiples are so inflated vs telecom. practice pitching recent IPOs in the space.
Another fresh grad looking for TMT interview secrets Reality check - they’ll hit you with basics like why Netflix trades at 20x revenue while AT&T gets 2x. You’ll get curveballs about content write-offs or why telecom capex destroys margins compared to software. Half these interviewers just want to see if you crack under pressure while building comps tables. At least TMT beats covering retail apocalypse stories.
Don’t underestimate the regulatory side of TMT interviews. Sure, you need the technical modeling and deal knowledge, but interviewers will grill you hard on how regulations actually shape investments. You’ll get deep questions about antitrust issues in Big Tech M&A, how spectrum policies mess with telecom valuations, and content rules hitting streaming platforms differently across countries. Tech deals face regulatory risks that other sectors just don’t deal with. Be ready to explain how net neutrality shifts hurt broadband companies, why GDPR-type laws crush social media margins, and what kills cross-border deals before they start. Good candidates show they get it - TMT investing means watching DC and Brussels as much as earnings reports. Brush up on recent FCC and FTC moves, plus stuff like the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Shows you understand this sector goes way beyond the numbers.
Get ready for sector-specific financial modeling scenarios. TMT interviews always include case studies - you’ll build DCF models for subscription businesses, work with ARPU metrics for telecom companies, and calculate EV/Revenue multiples for high-growth tech firms. They’ll ask about how regulations affect media consolidation deals and spectrum auctions. Know your KPIs cold: churn rates, customer acquisition costs, and content amortization for streaming platforms. Study recent mega-deals like Microsoft-Activision or Disney-Fox so you can show you’re plugged into the industry. Don’t forget technical accounting - revenue recognition for software companies comes up constantly and shows you’re serious about the role.