Application Tips
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Your Interview Interviews always seem scarier and tougher than they actually are! With sufficient preparation, you can breeze through interviews in the financial sector successfully and with confidence.
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Anticipate common interview questions
Think from the recruiters’ perspectives and expect questions tailored to the specific role and corporation you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying to a local bank like OCBC Bank, be prepared to explain why you’re choosing a homegrown bank over a non-local one, or vice versa. Having an awareness of the organisation’s positioning will also help you understand what’s at the top of the recruiter’s minds. For instance, if you’re 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.
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Revisit the job description and your application forms
First, make sure you have a clear idea of what the recruiters already know about you, and how your profile fits into what they’re 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? In addition, how much do you know about the financial arena if you don’t have a finance-related degree? You can show how you’re 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 handson experience? Finance Career Guide 2023
