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.

1

Revisit the job description and your application forms

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?

2

Anticipate common interview questions

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.

3

Stay informed about the industry

Keeping abreast with the latest market trends and news is crucial for a career in the financial sphere. For example, a potential investment banker would be required to be well acquainted with major stocks from around the world and able to explain how historical milestones affect movement in the markets.

In addition, make reading the financial news a habit, keeping in mind that knowledge from various publications could be useful during interviews.

Be prepared for questions like: “Tell me about a recent development you read about in the news and how do you think it will affect the financial sector.” Be careful not to get too carried away when answering as that might come across as arrogance.

4

Prepare a list of targeted questions to ask

At some point of time, you would likely be asked “Do you have any questions for me?” This is an opportunity to engage and impress the recruiters with intelligent questions, demonstrating both insight into the field and your enthusiasm to work for the corporation.

For example, you can ask about how a recent industry trend has affected the firm, or how the company has positioned itself against competitors for long-term prospects. Asking smart questions helps to end the interview on a high note and with a lasting impression. This is also the part which can help you make a decision if you are handed more than one offer, as it gives hiring managers a chance to impress you in turn. From these answers from across the table, you can also gain deeper knowledge about the enterprise’s plans for the years ahead.

Be careful when you cannot help but ask cliché or generic questions such as: “How is a typical workday like?” and “What are the working hours?”. It might work against you by signalling a lack of research or being overly concerned with the nittygritty aspects of the job. However, if the employer takes the initiative to share the perks of the role with you, such as flexibility schemes and training opportunities, take it as a good sign as they are enticing you for the position.

5

Follow up

On the same day of the interview, send an email to thank the recruiters for their time and highlight how the conversation helped in affirming your decision to join the organisation. You can include specific references to issues discussed in the session to show your commitment and attention.

Take the initiative to keep in contact if there are no follow-ups within the next week. Call or email again to reiterate your interest in the job, and find out if there are further steps in the hiring process, such as attending an assessment centre, or taking aptitude tests.