APPLICATION TIPS
ACING YOUR INTERVIEW Interviews always seem scarier and tougher than they actually are! With sufficient preparation, you can breeze through interviews in the financial sector with no sweat.
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26 | gradsingapore Finance Career Guide 2021
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Revisit the job description and your application forms
Anticipate common interview questions
After being shortlisted based on your application materials, employers are now looking to get to know you better at the interview stage. This is the time to impress recruiters and let them know how you can contribute to the job and company. First, make sure you have a clear idea of what they already know about you, and how your profile fits into what they are looking for in terms of how you stand out and where you lack. Do you, for instance, possess a specific language skill set which they hope to tap into for certain markets? How much do you know about the financial arena if you do not have a financerelated degree? You can show how you are keen to make up for this by demonstrating knowledge of how financial markets work, as well as displaying an understanding of the firm’s business objectives. Similarly, if you come from a related field of study, just how much do you know about real world application of the technical knowledge you gained in school? Do you have internship experiences which taught you about client servicing, an important aspect of roles in the financial scene, through hands-on experience?
Think through from the recruiters’ perspectives and expect questions tailored to the specific role and corporation you are applying for. For example, if you are applying to a local bank like OCBC Bank, be prepared to explain why you are choosing a homegrown bank over a non-local one, and vice versa in the converse situation. Having an awareness of the organisation’s positioning will also help you understand what is at the top of recruiter’s minds. For instance, if you are applying to enter a small accounting firm as a fresh graduate, decipher if they want you for an area of specialisation or as a generalist, and tailor your answers accordingly. When asked about your strengths and weaknesses in your personality and professional behaviour, be prepared to list examples of prior work and study experiences which demonstrate what you have been through and how you adapted to become a better person.
