Be Well Prepared for a chance at a Banking Career

Banking interviews can often consist of many stages, testing the aptitude, skills and flexibility of the candidate in order to determine his or her suitability. Most of all, employers want to know what kind of impact the individual will have on their bottom line.

One of the first things you will be asked is what you know about that particular company. It is important to have done your research thoroughly, as well as to have a satisfactory answer when they ask you why you have chosen banking as your profession.

Competency based questions are a popular method of establishing core skills; the interviewer will ask the candidate to draw on real life experiences of problem-solving, leadership or client management, therefore it is vital to keep a handful of prepared examples in your back pocket.

Specific, finance-related, investment banking questions could include: If you could buy one stock today, what would it be (and why)? What do you mean by ‘cost of capital’? Can you explain the effect of rising interest rates on the economy? What technique do you use to value firms? Be sure to know the role you are applying for inside out, as you could be presented with a hypothetical situation in which to prove your worth.

Behavioural or personality-based questions often probe your ability to work within a team and under pressure. You may be asked where you see yourself in five, ten or fifteen years. You will almost certainly be asked to list your areas of strengths as well as your weaknesses (always try to put a positive spin on this, by thinking of them more as areas for further development).

Always consider your USP – unique selling point. Banking interviewers will be looking for somebody exceptional, somebody who brings a talent or quality to the table that sets them apart from the competition. City CV are banking industry experts and offer a full interview coaching package; to find out how we can help you stand out from the crowd and win your dream job.

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We also have a dedicated career advice section and guides on your options with each accountancy qualification - ACA Careers    CIMA Careers    CA Careers     CPA Careers    ACCA Careers

If you're not sure which career move would best suit your skills and experience take a look at our Job Profiles. The profiles provide advice on the qualifications, skills and experience required for each career option. The job profiles also outline salary expectation, job responsibilities and career progression.

For information on our Finance & Accountancy Recruitment or to view Finance & Accountancy Jobs.

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