10 must-know interview questions & advice on answering each so you stand out and get a job offer:
(10 strategies I used while working 15+ years in finance to impress hiring managers):
(10 strategies I used while working 15+ years in finance to impress hiring managers):
1) What sets you apart from other candidates?
Example:
• I have a strong background in [ X ], which sets me apart from other candidates. In my previous role as [ X ], I was able to successfully [ X ]. This demonstrates my ability to [ X ]."
Example:
• I have a strong background in [ X ], which sets me apart from other candidates. In my previous role as [ X ], I was able to successfully [ X ]. This demonstrates my ability to [ X ]."
1) What sets you apart from other candidates?
Tips:
• Reflect on your past experiences & accomplishments, and think about how they related to this role
• Illustrate how your unique qualities & experiences bring value to the company and make you a strong fit for this role
Tips:
• Reflect on your past experiences & accomplishments, and think about how they related to this role
• Illustrate how your unique qualities & experiences bring value to the company and make you a strong fit for this role
2) What do you consider your greatest weakness?
Tips:
• Emphasize the steps you are taking to improve and overcome your weakness, such as taking a course
• Choose a past weakness that is not essential to the job you are applying for
Tips:
• Emphasize the steps you are taking to improve and overcome your weakness, such as taking a course
• Choose a past weakness that is not essential to the job you are applying for
2) What do you consider your greatest weakness?
Example:
• In the past, I've struggled with time management because I tend to take on too many tasks at once. I've corrected this by prioritizing my tasks each day and taking a time management course
Example:
• In the past, I've struggled with time management because I tend to take on too many tasks at once. I've corrected this by prioritizing my tasks each day and taking a time management course
3) What do you consider your greatest strength?
Tips:
• Connect your strength to the job requirements & how it can benefit the company
• Give specific instances or achievements that demonstrate your strength
• Discuss how your strength helps you bring value to the company
Tips:
• Connect your strength to the job requirements & how it can benefit the company
• Give specific instances or achievements that demonstrate your strength
• Discuss how your strength helps you bring value to the company
3) What is your greatest strength?
Example:
• My greatest strength is my ability to communicate effectively. This enables me to work effectively with colleagues & clients, understand their needs and find solutions. This will enable me to make positive impacts in this role
Example:
• My greatest strength is my ability to communicate effectively. This enables me to work effectively with colleagues & clients, understand their needs and find solutions. This will enable me to make positive impacts in this role
4) Tell me a time when you made a mistake? How do you handle it?
Tips:
• Discuss the steps you took to correct the mistake and make things right, and what you learned from the experience
• Discuss the steps you've taken to prevent similar mistakes in the future
Tips:
• Discuss the steps you took to correct the mistake and make things right, and what you learned from the experience
• Discuss the steps you've taken to prevent similar mistakes in the future
4) Tell me a time when you made a mistake? How do you handle it?
Example:
• I once made a mistake where I misunderstood a requirement. I took responsibility and worked with the client to correct it. I learned the importance of asking more questions before starting projects
Example:
• I once made a mistake where I misunderstood a requirement. I took responsibility and worked with the client to correct it. I learned the importance of asking more questions before starting projects
5) Tell me a time you couldn’t meet a goal/deadline & how you handled it?
Example:
• I couldn't meet a deadline due to unexpected technical difficulties. I immediately informed my team & the client and worked to prioritize the remaining tasks and create a revised timeline
Example:
• I couldn't meet a deadline due to unexpected technical difficulties. I immediately informed my team & the client and worked to prioritize the remaining tasks and create a revised timeline
5) Tell me a time you couldn’t meet a goal/deadline & how you handled it?
Tips:
• Emphasize what you learned from the experience and how you have grown as a result
• Discuss the steps you have taken to prevent similar situations in the future
Tips:
• Emphasize what you learned from the experience and how you have grown as a result
• Discuss the steps you have taken to prevent similar situations in the future
6) Tell me about some of the most difficult problems you worked on and how you solved them?
Tips:
• Discuss the solution you came up with and how you implemented it
• Discuss the results of your solution and the impact it had
Tips:
• Discuss the solution you came up with and how you implemented it
• Discuss the results of your solution and the impact it had
6) Tell me about some of the most difficult problems you worked on and how you solved them
Example:
• I solved a difficult problem streamlining a complex process. I mapped out the process, came up with a solution and implemented it resulting in a 20% increase in reduced errors
Example:
• I solved a difficult problem streamlining a complex process. I mapped out the process, came up with a solution and implemented it resulting in a 20% increase in reduced errors
7) What have been your most significant accomplishments?
Tips:
• Discuss the impact of your accomplishment and what it achieved
• Emphasize what you learned from the experience and how you have grown as a result
Tips:
• Discuss the impact of your accomplishment and what it achieved
• Emphasize what you learned from the experience and how you have grown as a result
7) What have been your most significant accomplishments?
Example:
• I led the successful implementation of a new CRM system resulting in improved customer satisfaction and a 20% increase in sales. I learned the importance of effective project management and collaboration
Example:
• I led the successful implementation of a new CRM system resulting in improved customer satisfaction and a 20% increase in sales. I learned the importance of effective project management and collaboration
8) Describe a time when you successfully balanced several competing priorities?
Example:
• I successfully balanced multiple priorities by prioritizing tasks, delegating effectively & utilizing effective time management. This allowed me to deliver high-quality work on time
Example:
• I successfully balanced multiple priorities by prioritizing tasks, delegating effectively & utilizing effective time management. This allowed me to deliver high-quality work on time
8) Describe a time when you successfully balanced several competing priorities?
Tips:
• Discuss steps you took to prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively
• Discuss the results of your efforts and how you were able to successfully balance the competing priorities
Tips:
• Discuss steps you took to prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively
• Discuss the results of your efforts and how you were able to successfully balance the competing priorities
9) Describe a time when you disagreed with a peer and how you resolved it?
Example:
• I resolved a disagreement with a peer by scheduling a meeting, presenting my concerns respectfully & finding a compromise aligned with project goals. This led to a successful outcome
Example:
• I resolved a disagreement with a peer by scheduling a meeting, presenting my concerns respectfully & finding a compromise aligned with project goals. This led to a successful outcome
9) Describe a time when you disagreed with your supervisor or peer and how you resolved it?
Tips:
• Discuss the disagreement and why you felt it was important
• Discuss the steps you took to address the disagreement and how it was resolved
Tips:
• Discuss the disagreement and why you felt it was important
• Discuss the steps you took to address the disagreement and how it was resolved
10) Why do you want to leave your current position?
Example:
• I'm seeking new opportunities for professional growth and seeking roles in [ field ] that offer more challenge and impact. I am grateful for my time in my current role but feel ready for new challenges
Example:
• I'm seeking new opportunities for professional growth and seeking roles in [ field ] that offer more challenge and impact. I am grateful for my time in my current role but feel ready for new challenges
10) Why do you want to leave your current position?
Tips:
• Discuss your motivations for seeking a new role, including your career goals, interests, and growth aspirations
• Discuss the type of role you are looking for and what you hope to achieve in your next position
Tips:
• Discuss your motivations for seeking a new role, including your career goals, interests, and growth aspirations
• Discuss the type of role you are looking for and what you hope to achieve in your next position
Use interview questions to showcase your strengths and set yourself apart from other candidates. Always be prepared!
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• RT the FIRST tweet🔁
• Follow me @FluentInFinance
• Sign-up for my FREE newsletter to learn valuable skills: FluentInFinance.Substack.com!
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