Interview Tips

Typical interview questions you should be prepared to answer:

Always frame your answers positively, carefully phrased to best sell your skills and experience to the interviewer.

• Why are you looking to leave your current company/position?
• Why are you interested in this job and this company?
• What are your strengths and/or weaknesses?
• If I asked your manager about you, what would he or she say?
• What were your ratings in your most recent review? How have you been rated historically?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• Describe a time where a client/co-worker was resistant to change or difficult to obtain information from.
• How did you resolve this impasse and establish buy-in for your goal/initiative?

General Interview Tips:

Every question you are asked is an opportunity to sell yourself:

For example, when asked where you see yourself in 5 years, use that as an opportunity to talk about your strengths that you wish to utilize in a future role. Talk about significant contributions that you’ve made in the past and how you can help your new company with similar contributions. Examples should take the form of: 1. Problem, 2. Solution (and what was your involvement in the solution), 3. Benefit.

Write down examples of “hard strengths” (financial analysis, SEC Reporting, experience with derivatives, etc) and “soft strengths” (work under pressure, communication skills). Work these selling points into your answers. Prepare examples and concise anecdotes supporting the attributes you’ve identified. People will remember these discussions after you leave.

Do research on the company you are interviewing with. Review their website, financial statements, regulatory reports, etc. and use this data to prepare questions you can ask about the job and company during your interview.

Bring a leather planner or portfolio and ask permission to take notes of important points covered during the interview. Focus on the recording the most relevant information like hard numbers, key data—they’ll be impressed. Keep in mind: The main focus is the interview and lots of eye contact.

Make sure you turn off your cell phone so it doesn’t ring. It’s never ok to take a call during an interview.

Never wear heavy perfume or cologne. If there’s a question or doubt, don’t wear any at all. It can be distracting, especially if someone is allergic.

Always be positive. DO NOT bring up or speak about anything negative.

Compensation: Starting in late 2017, the NYC Council outlawed the practice of employers asking for an applicant’s salary history during the hiring and interview process.  If you are interviewing for a job in NYC, you are no longer required to provide salary and/or bonus information during any part of the interview process including the application.  Accordingly, it would be helpful if you prepared your remarks on what salary and/or total compensation package you are looking for.

For more help with interviewing: call one of our recruiters at 212-856-9888 and set up some time to speak.