We bring to you a few sample finance interview questions along with practical answer guidelines. This post will help you prepare well for your next finance interview and get your much vaunted job post.
Finance includes a wide array of fields such as insurance, retail banking, investment banking and tons of other financial services. The interview questions will be different for different employers, job level and the work experience that you have earned over the years.
Having said that, there are certain core skills and capacities that are mandatory for success with regard to different finance job posts.
The questions that we are going to discuss with you will take into account these capacities and skills and should be expected in one form or the other.
What is your motivation for this post?
The questions that analyze your motivation level are typically designed to gauge whether you will be a suitable motivation fit for the job post and the company or not. You should ensure that your motivation is relevant to the requirements of the finance job post.
Most of the finance job posts are suitable for folks who are self-motivated individuals and are driven by challenges, the desire to achieve project objectives and seek recognition.
What has been your most significant achievement till date?
You should go on about your relevant achievement, the challenges that you encountered in getting to the top and the motivation behind it. Share with the interviewers why it is important for you while taking care that the reasons you enumerate remain relevant to the current finance job post.
Also focus on the way you can translate your achievement into success in this job post. Here are some sample answers to this question.
Discuss the time when you dealt with a troublesome and demanding client.
In this scenario, the employer intends to test your mettle in the face of challenge and adversity. You are bound to face difficult situations and obstacles during your financial career and it is imperative that you make it clear to the interviewers that you have an appetite to come out on top regardless of the toughest of circumstances.
You should be able to share instances from your career that depict your grit and communication prowess for achieving the desired results.
How do you convince others?
Finance people have to convince their clients and colleagues day in and day out to agree with their points of view, accept their services and expertise. Figuring out the needs, opting for the appropriate techniques and choosing the proper communication conduit can all prove to be crucial in influencing others.
Again, share an example from your career in this regard. Our list of behavioral interview questions will help you prepare well for such persuasive questions.
What has been your approach to team work and how do you adapt yourself to work in a team environment?
Such questions are primarily designed to determine your ability to work in a team and contribute in a team’s success. Your ability to forge relationships with your teammates and work positively with other people is crucial to finance business.
Portray how you analyzed each team member and chose the right approach for their individual needs. Adapting to each situation is the key here.
Describe the most recent high voltage situation you found yourself in and how did you tackle it?
You will come across stressful circumstances in finance related posts almost every day. The employers want to hire an employee who can work under pressure and deliver when the tide is against you.
You should be able to convince the interview panel that you can stay calm and composed even when you find yourself in dire straits.
Share with us an instance of a win-win situation that you negotiated.
This particular finance interview questions endeavors to test your interpersonal skills to get your clients to agree or accept your perspective.
You should be able to demonstrate how you are able to look at the position of the others, offer them alternative solutions and agree at what is in the best interests of all.
Discuss the most complicated financial analysis issue you faced.
The key here is to portray your ability to figure out the issues of note and identify problems from the available information. This interview questions makes an effort to bring your skills in breaking a certain situation down and organizing and assessing information.
Describe how you can add value to this organization.
You should be able to employ your knowledge about the organization while letting the interview panel know that you are familiar with the organization’s achievements and objectives.
You can discuss your own ideas and skills that can contribute in enhancing the Return on Investment (ROI) of the company. You can get help from resources at preparing for job interview to get to know about the company.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
You should be able to discuss your awareness and insight about the overall picture of the finance landscape. Here is a list of strengths and weaknesses that can help you prepare a formidable answer.
What do you think are the biggest challenges that are faced by finance professionals of the modern era?
Discuss in detail your perspective regarding the prevalent economic situation and the regulatory changes, rapport issues, cost reduction and other innovations that you envisage.