You’ve done it all – pushed through the education, passed exams, received licenses, completed internships and sent out applications. At this point, there’s only one thing left to do before you become a full-blown financial services professional: ace the interview. Today, we’ll give you a complete rundown of how to prepare for a financial services job interview.
Preparing mentally for your interview
Having a confident and clear mind when you go into the interview is essential, so you’ll need to mentally prepare before the big day. According to TheMuse, it’s beneficial to know your own story inside and out. Study your resume and make sure you remember your career experience easily. This can help you answer some of the interview questions without hesitation.
FinancialExecutives also recommends knowing plenty about the financial services industry so you can prove you follow the news and are passionate about the career.
It’s also beneficial to grab a piece of paper and write down any key points you want to cover in the interview. Don’t take the list into the interview with you; just go over it right before you head in and you’ll be good to go!
Another way you can mentally prepare is by doing your research. It’s best to know relevant details about the company you’re interviewing with. The interviewer will likely be impressed when you mention the aspects of the company that caught your eye.
And finally, don’t forget to get plenty of sleep. Sleep deprivation is the last thing you need, so make sure you catch up on those Z’s before your interview day!
Dressing for success
The first impression is a very important part of the interview, and your outfit impacts the first impression immensely, so make sure to dress appropriately. TheMuse mentions that if the company has a business or business casual dress code, you need to dress professionally and conservatively. Don’t be afraid to go basic.
After you have your outfit picked out, do the little things: clean and press your clothes, get a fresh haircut and style your hair, trim your fingernails, and accessorize your outfit. The little things go a long way in an interview, so don’t skimp on them!
Anticipating common questions
It’s good practice to run through the questions you might face in the interview, so here’s a list of questions to think of as you prepare (questions from TheUndercoverRecruiter and TheBalanceCareers):
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why do you think you would be great for this job?
- What is your greatest strength?
- What is your greatest weakness?
- What makes you unique?
- Tell me about something that’s not on your resume.
- How do you handle failure?
- How do you handle success?
- How will your strengths help you in the workplace?
- How do you handle pressure and stress?
To research more questions, you can check out TheBalanceCareers.com.
Presenting yourself favorably
When it comes to the impression you make by your actions, start by being on time. If possible, be early – but not more than 10 minutes early. Before you head out for the interview, make sure you have the proper directions and the interviewer’s phone number just in case you get lost.
During the interview, be aware of your body language. It’s best to have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you answer questions, according to TheBalanceCareers. Pay attention to the interviewer, look interested in what he or she is saying and be attentive. Being completely immersed in the interview can set you apart from others and help the interviewer feel you care about their time and the job.
Now that you know how to mentally prepare, be ready for questions and make a positive impression, you’re ready to ace the interview. Securities Training Corporation is thrilled to help you land your dream job. For more information, contact the company’s experts.
