London IBD Screen With Visa Pressure
This conversation was generated using Cook'd AI's career assistant and reviewed by Fallon Han from our editorial team for accuracy.
I want a hard-nosed mock interview for an IBD analyst role in London. I am a final-year engineering student in India, and I need sponsorship. Make it feel like a real first-round screen with accounting and DCF questions, but also push me on visa, relocation, and whether I can actually work London hours. I want to know if I am sounding convincing enough for the role.
Understood. I will run this like a skeptical first-round interviewer at a London office. I will test your accounting basics, DCF judgment, and how you handle direct questions about sponsorship, relocation, and time zone fit. Answer as if you are in the live screen.
First question: walk me through the three financial statements and explain exactly how depreciation flows through them.
The income statement records depreciation as an operating expense, which lowers EBIT and net income. On the cash flow statement, depreciation is added back because it is a non-cash expense. On the balance sheet, accumulated depreciation reduces the net value of PP and E. So the expense reduces earnings, but it does not directly reduce cash.
Good. Next, suppose depreciation increases by 10. What happens to EBITDA, EBIT, net income, cash from operations, and free cash flow, assuming no taxes or working capital changes? Keep it precise.
EBITDA stays the same because depreciation is below EBITDA. EBIT falls by 10. Net income also falls by 10 if taxes are ignored. Cash from operations goes up by 10 because depreciation is added back. Free cash flow should stay unchanged in this simplified case because the lower net income is offset by the add-back.
Now a DCF question. If you are given an unlevered DCF, what discount rate do you use and why? Also, what terminal value method would you expect to defend in a bank screen? After that, I want a direct answer: are you legally able to work in the UK today, and if not, what exactly do you need from the firm?
For an unlevered DCF, I would use WACC because the cash flows are available to all capital providers. For terminal value, I would usually defend the Gordon Growth method first because it is standard and easy to justify, though I can also discuss exit multiples if needed.
On work authorization, I am not currently eligible to work in the UK without sponsorship. I would need visa sponsorship from the firm. I understand that is a real requirement, and I am being direct about it because I want to be transparent early.
That is clear, but I would push harder on commitment. Why London specifically, and what makes me believe you will relocate from India for the full analyst program? Also, London hours can be long and late. How will you handle the time difference, client calls, and the possibility of very short notice requests?
London specifically because I want exposure to a global capital markets platform and I am targeting an analyst seat where I can learn faster on cross-border deals. I am prepared to relocate if selected and I am not looking for a remote or hybrid workaround. For the hours, I am comfortable with the reality that the role is demanding. I have already worked on late-night team projects during engineering internships, so I know how to manage long days, stay responsive, and keep my work quality consistent. If needed, I can adjust my routine to align with London time and be available for urgent requests.
Better. Final drill: give me a 30 second summary of why you are a fit for this role despite coming from engineering, and then I will tell you whether your answer sounds credible or too rehearsed. Keep it sharp, specific, and tied to London analyst expectations.