In a job interview for a banking position, the interviewer begins by asking general banking interview questions about why the applicant wants that particular job, then moves on to more specific questions about banking terms and knowledge. An investment banker will respond to questions about the stock market in a banking interview and explain key terms like cost of capital. In a more general banking position, such as teller, the focus will be on more general questions about why the candidate is the best candidate for the job. Math questions and problem solving may be used to ensure that the candidate has the necessary math and financial skills for the position. The best way for a potential employee to take the stress and worry out of a banking interview is to prepare a list of practice banking interview questions and practice the answers in front of a mirror.
The majority of interviews begin with general questions, and a banking interview is no exception. Regardless of the position, the interviewer will want to know why the candidate applied for it, why the bank should choose her over everyone else, and where the candidate sees herself in five or ten years. In a position like banking, the employer wants a solid, dependable employee who will put in long hours and stay with the company for many years. The employer will not want to hire a candidate who is uninterested in the job or who plans to leave after a year or two.
The interviewer will then proceed to ask specific questions. To prepare for these banking interview questions, the candidate should keep up with the latest news in the field she’s applying for and familiarize herself with key terms. Knowing the current state of the stock market and the types of stocks in which she would advise clients to invest is always useful information to have for specific finance and investment position interviews. Not all banking jobs involve stocks and investment decisions; some focus on how a bank operates and general responsibilities like reading and cashing checks, making change, and working with computers.
Finally, the interviewer may inquire about the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses in more personal terms. It’s preferable to be straightforward without divulging too much information. Admitting to numerous flaws will appear unprofessional, but if a candidate admits to a specific area in which she has struggled in the past and details how she went about improving those skills, the interviewer will be impressed. Instead of throwing out buzzwords, a candidate should provide real examples from her previous work experience to really win points in her favor. If she says she has “good people skills,” the interviewer will be underwhelmed; however, describing how she solved a difficult customer relations problem at a previous job will demonstrate to the interviewer that she is a trustworthy candidate who speaks clearly.