30 Department of Treasury Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Department of Treasury interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 10 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
Behavioral
1. Tell us about something your coworkers did that irritated you.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question is layered. The interviewer trying to get an idea of your communication skills and your focus on a team mentality. They're keeping a keen eye out for any red flags. In simplest terms, they want to know if you were the challenging co-worker in this scenario.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Pet peeves, depending on the circumstance or the approach, can be something that benefits the team. For example, not washing your dishes in the break room or properly shutting down your workstation can harm morale and affect productivity. Display yourself as a team player, openly accepting everyone on your team. Objectify the situation, exhibiting an emotionally mature perspective. Offer how you navigated this terrain, leading to a successful outcome. Focus on the positives, and how the overall outcome benefited the team.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"My spouse is an insomniac. So when they don't sleep well neither do I. So I have a few tricks to prevent fatigue, like keeping chocolate-covered espresso beans bedside, and another container on my desk. One of my coworkers was sneaking into my desk when I wasn't around and was helping themselves to my stash. When I asked, they denied it. One day I caught them in the act and they pretended they were looking for a pencil. I thought it was poor form going into my desk to help themselves, but lying about it I saw as lacking integrity. This individual didn't embrace our core values. All of that was pretty irritating."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Behavioral
2. If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This get-to-know-you question can come at the front or end of an interview. It's a method to more intimately get to know you, and to assess how well your personality will fit in with the other people you'd be working with, should they hire you.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Think about your values and the people who inspire you. Elaborate on why you'd invite them to dinner. Go above and beyond by detailing what you'd serve them for dinner.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"I'd have Janet Yellen over for dinner. I'd want to have an in-depth conversation with her on everything from her big picture scope to the more rare tidbits of knowledge. I'd serve her Nepalese cuisine."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Behavioral
3. If there was one aspect of our government you could change, what would it be and why?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
They're testing the scope of your knowledge of their agency and your attitude towards how they do things. They're interested in your leadership skills, how you'd go about identifying growth opportunities, and how you'd communicate with them. How you answer can likewise offer them a glimpse into the framework of your ideals, and if that compliments or clashes with their environment.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Keep your outlook positive and avoid any critical remarks on how they do things or function as a team. You want to advertise yourself as an asset, with the potential to enhance workflow and systems.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"Bureaucracy has a time and a place, but often slows productivity and jams things up. I think, in those instances, bureaucracies should be re-examined and streamlined. I'd suggest a case-by-case examination of bureaucratic hoops to see how they could be streamlined or improved."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Behavioral
4. Give me an example of a mistake you made at work. What steps did you take to remedy it?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Whoever they choose for the position should be able to take ownership of their mistakes and exhibit an ability to learn and grow from setbacks. Making mistakes is human. How we deal with and remedy a mistake comes down to exercising good judgment and knowing when to ask for help. A person might feel fear of being judged for a mistake they've made. How they confront their fear is the true test of their character.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Explain the reasons behind your course of action. If you tried to fix a mistake before bringing it to the attention of your superiors, explain why. Was it simpler and less exhaustive for you to fix the mistake yourself rather than distract others from the important matters they were dealing with? Or, if you brought the mistake to the attention of your superiors before resolving it on your own, it should be for reasons such as a superior being able to resolve the matter in minutes as opposed to costing more time and payroll hours for you to fix it on your own.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"I spent several days implementing some new systems to increase the quantity of my work. When I first put the system into practice, I was overly eager to turn my work in. I should've been more thorough in reviewing my work and not taken my new systems for granted. I met the deadline, but my work was barely acceptable. I pride myself on always padding the job, and turning in the finest quality. This work didn't meet my standard. I shouldn't have rushed the work and should have given myself a little more breathing room. I've since fine-tuned my systems, and am providing a higher output of material that meets my quality standards. Live and learn."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Behavioral
5. Describe the most important work related task you've undertaken.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Talking about your most significant accomplishment will give the interviewer an idea of where you place your values. It will also reveal more about your personality, your motivators, and clues about how to coach you in the future.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
It is okay to brag a little when answering this question. Exhibit pride in your accomplishments. Align your answers with goals you've set for yourself, and how those accomplishments served as milestones towards your objectives. Your example doesn't necessarily have to be groundbreaking. Whether you formed a team for the first time and fostered a great sense of teamwork in a collaborative environment or developed a system that improved workflow and saved the company money, this question is about how you gauge success and what you bring to the table.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"I'm a very career-focused individual. Since I am focused on furthering my career, I always have to put my all in and view every work-related task as the most important job I've ever undertaken. This ensures consistency across all the high-quality work I produce."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Behavioral
6. Tell me about a time you offered feedback to your superiors that benefited your company.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Communication is integral to any position. They will evaluate your communication style with this question, as well as how you deal with authority.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Exemplify you're a capable non-defensive communicator. Detail how you helped enhance communication and identified kaizen opportunities. Provide specific examples of situations where you had to ask questions, mirror what was being communicated to you, and how a consensus was reached.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"There was a person on our team that was very analytical by nature. They preferred solitary tasks. That's the kind of work they really took pride in. They were good at other things too, and management put them in charge of a team. I noticed they were burning out quickly, so I brought this to our management's attention. They observed, took the information, and eventually reassigned some tasks, which ultimately worked out better for the department."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Behavioral
7. Tell me about an experience you had sharing difficult information with management?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Sensitive situations may affect the team. The interviewer wants to know what you consider a difficult situation, how you handled it, and your reasoning for bringing attention to the situation.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Respond thoughtfully and with a respectful tone. Offer examples where your problem-solving skills secured the smooth running of operations, working in the interest of all involved parties. Avoid examples that did not end amicably.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"I had a coworker who decided to quit, but instead of calling management, for some reason, they called me. I wasn't a supervisor, yet I was put in this awkward situation. So I had to approach management and inform them that Chris quit. They then reassigned their project over to me. The project Chris was working on should have been close to completion. When I investigated where they left off, I realized they did not start the project. This was the second piece of bad news I had delivered. That was an uncomfortable day."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Behavioral
8. What do you foresee as the most challenging aspect of this job?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is hoping to learn more about your approach towards your development. One's level of ambition can be revealed in how frequently they take advantage of learning new skills. This may also serve to reveal if you are overly ambitious and frequently take on too many tasks. Whether you underperform by biting off more than you can chew, over-perform on any one task, or fall somewhere in between is what they're after here.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Perform your research and determine what aspect of the job you might seem underqualified for. Exhibit enthusiasm for stepping outside of your comfort zone. This exemplifies a determination to learn, grow, and develop. Detail how you go the extra mile, and what you learned and applied to your career from such experience.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"I'm an overachiever and having to learn the ropes before I can truly prove myself is particularly hard for me. They say it's a marathon, not a race, but I like to see myself as a racehorse in a marathon."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Behavioral
9. Would you rather work alone or with others?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This is another common behavioral question aimed at determining where you fall on the scale of being a team collaborator or an innovator. For some, an analytical approach is more of a singular task, whereas an interpersonal is more collaborative and team-oriented. Most people fall somewhere in the middle between an extrovert and an introvert. Both bring value. There is no wrong or right answer.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Exhibit your ability to be productive in any environment. Focus your answer on what it takes for you to perform at your best without focusing on how difficult it may be to maintain your focus in other environments. Discuss your ideal environment with the interviewer with realistic expectations. Be sure to research this position's type of environment before the interview.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"We all have days, depending on our needs, where we're more focused on team collaboration and the social elements it offers, and other times where a singular focus is required for the task on hand. But putting the needs of the work involved aside, I'd definitely say I am both interpersonal and analytical. I'd say I'm between being an introvert and an extrovert, and capable of switching gears, depending on the demands of the job at hand. I believe in balance."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Behavioral
10. When were you most satisfied with the work you were performing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is trying to assess your work ethic, your career goals, and insights into your personality. This will help them determine what motivates you and how you'd fit into the culture of their brand. How you answer will help them determine if you consider success to mean crossing daily items off your list or if you have your eye on the big picture and scale your sense of accomplishment on the incremental successes toward the ultimate goal. How you answer will also give them insight into what motivates your work environment.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Telling them what you think they want to hear will come across as disingenuous, and more often than not, can be spotted from a mile away. So speak from the heart. Effectively communicating how you weigh success in your interview could lead to being placed in a position more suited to your personality and skills. Break down what success means to you across all fronts; short-term goals, long-term goals, the big picture, and how you get there.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"I consider myself career-focused. As long as I am forwarding my career and putting my all in towards that effort, I am most satisfied with the work I am performing towards those communal goals."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Behavioral
11. Tell me about your attention to detail.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
An interviewer is always evaluating your consistency. It starts with looking for inconsistencies in your resume, from formatting to typeset, to how consistent your body language is with the words you communicate. If you answered one question one way, and a similar question totally different, this will clue them in to a lack of attention to detail. How you answer this question will give the interviewer insight into your self-awareness and how you identify your self-assessment and growth opportunities.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
The level of your attention to detail speaks to the standard you set for your own work. Keep your answers consistent. Touch on your organization skills and your methodology or approach. Offer examples of how your attention to detail benefited the team. This is an opportunity to convince them you're the best candidate for this job.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have high attention to detail, and can really burrow in when needed. It's a juggling act, delivering focused quality while meeting deadlines and expectations. But my eagle eye is always open. To demonstrate, recently a coworker asked if I would proof their work..."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Behavioral
12. How well do you work under pressure?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question seeks to gauge how you cope with stress in a high-paced work environment. It also aims to determine what kind of situations you find stressful. Keeping calm under pressure is a desirable trait.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Exhibit your ability to step outside of your comfort zone and your ability to stay grounded while working under pressure. Focus on keeping a level head while exhibiting problem-solving skills and decisive decision-making. Often, the best way to cope with a stressful situation is to take action.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"I consistently rise to the occasion. I thrive in such situations. That's when my positivity shines, and I leap into high gear, setting the pace for those working around me."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Behavioral
13. What will you miss most about your last job?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question aims to gauge how you regard your previous employer, amicably or acrimoniously. It may clue them into what your loyalty is worth or reveal if they can compete with your previous employer.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Write a list in advance of all the things you liked about your previous employer. Rank those that helped your career growth as the highest. Halo your answer with gratitude for how they helped advance your career.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"I had a lot of great experiences at my last job. I learned a lot and am grateful for how working with them advanced my career closer to reaching my goals. Most of all, I feel I will miss working with that great team. But all things must pass, and I am looking forward to forging lasting relationships wherever my career leads me next."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Behavioral
14. How would your former employer describe you?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
If this question makes a candidate nervous, it will raise the question of how honest a candidate has been about their qualifications and accomplishments. If the interviewee comes across as confident and provides a notable answer consistent with the rest of the interview, it offers the interviewer confidence in the truth of the candidate's claims.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
There's no need to feel nervous about this question. Don't ask them if they talked to your previous employers or what they might have said. Answer with confidence, and stay on course with what you offer. This is your opportunity to share your accomplishments. Demonstrate that you are an overachiever.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"They'd say I am an overachiever, and that I am honest to a fault. In fact, my bosses were having a conversation a while back where they were discussing how they wished their employees were better at taking responsibility for their own actions. In that conversation, one of them said they wish every employee was more like I am. That was right when I walked in. Flattering stuff."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Behavioral
15. Describe a difficult experience you learned from.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question tests your ability to take responsibility for your own actions. The example you provide should reveal how far you've progressed in your professional development, and whether you're ahead of the game or lagging behind.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Frame your 'difficult experience' in a positive light, providing the situation involved, how you dealt with it, and what you learned. Detail what you would've done differently and how you avoided repeating it. Provide an example centered on the challenge, and how you overcame it, even if you didn't succeed to the degree you hoped. What is important are the gains that contributed to greater success moving forward.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"A while back, a supervisor told me I was the frontrunner for a promotion. This filled me with all sorts of heightened expectations. I told my spouse, and we celebrated. A few days later, they promoted someone from another department. The supervisor who told me this false information didn't really have a reliable source of information. It was just wishful thinking on their part. In the end, it was my fault for getting ahead of myself, and it isn't a mistake I'll lightly make again."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Communication
16. How would you describe the role of our agency within the government to a member of the general public?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is curious about how familiar you are with the Department of the Treasury, and if you've performed the expected cursory research on the department, its mission statements, and values prior to the interview. How you answer will inform them of the standard of your work, its quality, and how frequently you go above and beyond.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Perform your research. There's ample information on their website you can extrapolate from. Rehearse it in a way that comes across naturally. This would be the manner in which you would deliver your answer to the public.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"The U.S. Department of the Treasury's mission is to maintain a strong economy and create economic and job opportunities by promoting the conditions that enable economic growth and stability at home and abroad, strengthen national security by combating threats and protecting the integrity of the financial system, and manage the U.S. government's finances and resources effectively."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Discovery
17. Where are you from?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This ice breaker is designed to lower your guard and get you to open up. It also offers an opportunity to create a connection with one another. Once at ease, most people have less of a filter and might grant their interviewer unintended insights into their personality. The more open you are will help them determine how well you'll fit into their team.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Not only geographically but also in life. Share the basics of who you are, why you're here, where you come from, and where you're going. Volunteer your more interesting accomplishments or life experiences. Remain professional.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"I come from a little town called Hellen, Michigan. It's one of those little towns you work really hard to escape, and it comes with its fair share of jokes. Fun fact, they recently elected a house cat as their mayor... yeah. So as soon as I started touring colleges, I toured campuses out of state. I wanted to get off on a fresh start when I launched my career."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Discovery
18. What is most important to you when starting a new position?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewers want to know your approach when coming into a new work environment and how you'll fit in with the team. Even if you were a top performer at your last job, it takes time to establish new co-working relationships and even more time for you to show that you have what it takes. Approaching building relationships while proving a strong work ethic at the same time is a tricky balancing act.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Familiarize yourself with the 30/60/90 rule: The first month of a new hire's 90-day probation period should focus on familiarizing themselves with the team, company, products/services, clients, etc. Month two should be spent studying current processes and procedures, and identifying strengths and weaknesses. In the last month, that hire should be well-grounded in the role and capable of identifying growth opportunities. Past the 90-day mark is considered an acceptable time to implement innovation.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"I'd remain humble, and do what I could to build relationships, looking at everyone as a resource for knowledge while I learn the ropes. I'd work hard, side by side with everyone while keeping my head down. I'd learn everything I could, working smarter as I went on, learning all the tricks of the trade from my fellow team members along the way. Once I earned their respect and learned the protocols, systems, and rules, I'd develop systems of my own, seeking to improve on what is in place and contribute in any way I could. Kaizen is the ultimate end goal."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Discovery
19. What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Talking about your greatest accomplishments will give the interviewer a stronger idea of where you place your values. It potentially reveals more about your personality, your motivators, as well as your goals. Reveal why you're proud of the example you provide and how it fits into your career goals.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
The road to self-improvement is never-ending. Once you offer your example, offer where you hope this achievement will lead you on your path. You're not just climbing the mountain, you are rising above yourself.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"This may sound cliche, but sitting in this interview with your right now stands as my greatest work-related accomplishment. As I've said, I set out my goals long ago when I drafted my first five-year career plan. Each time I met the goals I set out for myself in my plan, I had my greatest work-related accomplishment. Today, it's performing my best in an interview I set out for. Tomorrow might deliver a different accomplishment. We'll see."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Discovery
20. What do you do to increase your knowledge in your field?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question tests your resources and is designed to trip you up, or rather, to call your bluff. It reveals how serious or passionate you are about your career. They want to know if you can talk the talk and walk the walk.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
It's important to demonstrate yourself as a proactive worker rather than a reactive follower. Exhibit a growth mindset at all times. If you take advantage of learning through continuing education credits, seminars, conferences, journals, or any other means of staying educated in your line of work, advertise that. This could branch off into excellent conversation points with shared enthusiasm. Establishing a rapport with your interviewer translates to a likelihood of doing the same with the members of their team.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"I am an avid reader. Whether I'm reading the 'Economist' or the 'Times,' I'm always staying up to date."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Discovery
21. Why do you want to work with us?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Anyone bringing on a new employee wants to know how one will fit into the culture of their brand. They want to gauge your like-mindedness. This question also offers you an opportunity to reveal how in-depth you've researched the position.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Explore what interests you the most about working with them. Come across as imagining yourself in the role. Be emotionally vested, but not presumptuous. You're not just interested in the position. You're interested in working for them and what that would offer your future and career. Showcase your knowledge and the thorough research you performed. Be sure to incorporate their language into your own. Answer with sincerity, in a manner according to your nature.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"Working for the Department of the Treasury is perfectly in line with the career goals I've mapped out in my recently revised five-year career plan."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Discovery
22. Why should we hire you?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question evaluates how above and beyond you've gone in researching the position prior to your interview, and how well you've been paying attention to the other interview questions in the set. They want to know what sets you apart from the other candidates. They're also curious what kind of pitch you'll throw their way, or if you will squander the opportunity to further advertise your merits.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
This is another excellent opportunity to boast about your accomplishments. Delve deeper. Detail the positive comments your coworkers have mentioned about you in the past. Offer what you brought to your teams, and what you'd deliver to theirs, should they choose you for the position. Speak confidently, make relaxed eye contact, and posture yourself with positive, engaging, and confident body language.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"My core value is integrity. I take responsibility for my own actions, have excellent leadership skills and am a straight shooter, and am always on the level. I have a positive outlook, am a motivator force at work, and my bare minimum is above and beyond."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Discovery
23. Why did you choose your major?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your degree is the prelude to the story of your career. They are also interested in whether you went to school intending to follow the career path you've chosen, whether your degree was oriented to your career or not, and how your journey led you here. Ascertaining whether you were fully committed to your degree may indicate whether you'd be dedicated to what this opportunity may offer.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
It's important to consider your education and how it fits into the requirements for the role you're applying for. Walk the interviewer down the road of your formal education. Give your unfinished story a positive framework. Describe the educational pursuits you perceived as assisting your career. Outline your accomplishments in detail, and what you've learned. Go deeper. Detail the twists and turns and how they set you on the path of your career.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"From an early age, I contemplated the idea of how money can make you money. This fascinated me and wanted to understand more. This led to my passion for economics. It's like Einstein said, the more I learned, the more I realized how little I understood. So that was basically what led to me choosing my degree, which led to me pursuing my career."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Discovery
24. What are you passionate about?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How you answer this question will inform them of how closely your passions and ideas are aligned. They want to know the strength of your character, how skilled a communicator you are, if you are competent, and are curious about how closely your passions and core values align with theirs.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Share your interests, views, and values with enthusiasm. Describe how the experiences of your life influenced your self-awareness, growth, and continuous development.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"I come from a long line of self-starters. My great-grandparents were pioneers from Norway who pursued the American dream. There is opportunity in this country, but pursuing it isn't easy. It takes determination, turning failure into success, and finding a way of walking around walls rather than climbing them. So, my determination is my passion. I'm passionate about setting goals and accomplishing them."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
General
25. Tell us a bit about your relevant work experience.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
They're interested in finding out whether you have relevant work experience. If not, they'll be curious as to what motivated you to apply for the position. This will offer insights into how well you've planned out your career.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Answering unprepared often results in uncertainty as to where to start, where to end, or how to elaborate points relevant to the position they're interviewing for. The trick is composing your answer in advance and rehearsing it. Think about your translatable skills (analytical, leadership, and communications). Doing so will convey some understanding of what the position entails. Take a few minutes to walk the interviewer through your work history, highlighting the most relevant positions you've held and the skills you've acquired.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"I worked for ten years as a treasurer for XYZ Limited. During my tenure there, they promoted me three times. At this point, there is little room for growth and I'm interested in furthering my career. Among my daily duties, I handled every aspect of the job from A-Z."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Leadership
26. How would you rate your leadership skills?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your approach to leadership has the potential to positively or negatively impact their department. So, the interviewer wants insight into your self-awareness and self-perception, and how you approach your work. Determining how you overcome challenges and motivate your team will help them evaluate how compatible you are with their work culture and environment. This will help them evaluate if you're an asset versus a liability.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Answer this question according to your own nature, exhibiting humility without playing yourself down. Contemplate what leadership looks like to you. You want to market yourself as a desirable asset. Be sure the impression you set is that you're good at your job, and you are consistently putting your all in.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"I consider myself an effective leader. I am humble and try to remain adaptable to change. I lead by example and am in tune with my team. I place everybody where they'll shine and take pride in their work. Promote strengths and never exploit weaknesses. I deliver prompt and often specific feedback and am a straight shooter. I never say, "do this" without explaining "why." I've learned the more of a big picture everyone has with their work, the more invested they'll be in the quality of their work."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Leadership
27. What do you know about what we do here at The Department of the Treasury?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
They want to learn how familiar you are with what their position has to offer. This may help them determine your strengths, and what you'd contribute if anything. This will help them assess if you'd be a good investment and are worthy of this opportunity. How thoroughly prepared you are will reveal how badly you want to work for them.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Perform your research, digging deeper than the job description. Determine their preferred keywords by reading through their branding and core values. Take notes. Tailor your response accordingly, presenting your understanding of their department, followed up with questions to demonstrate a drive to learn more.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"The Treasury Department promotes economic prosperity and ensures financial security for the U.S. It is responsible for advising the President on economic and financial issues, encouraging sustainable economic growth, and fostering improved governance in financial institutions. They operate and maintain systems critical to the nation's financial infrastructure, from the production of coins and currency, disbursement of payments to the public, revenue collection, and borrowing of the funds necessary to run the government. The Department works with other agencies, governments, and financial institutions to encourage growth, raise living standards, and predict and prevent economic and financial crises. They also enhance national security by implementing economic sanctions against foreign threats, identify and target financial support networks of national security threats, and improve safeguards."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Operational
28. How do you plan and prioritize your work?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Employers ask this interview question to evaluate your time management skills. Prioritizing tasks based on the big picture instead of short-term goals is a skill. Being singularly focused is also a strength, so long as you're able to shift gears and exhibit flexibility when the need arises.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Talk about the tools and resources you used to plan your work and stay organized on the job. Exhibit strong time management skills, following the chain of command, and knowing when to tap into the resources on the job. Multitasking is challenging for most people. How you track your progress and pick up where you left off holds value. Staying productive and preventing rework is one part of this. Your ability to exhibit sound judgment and prioritize based on the greater good is of equal relevance.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"That depends on the priorities at hand. Flexibility is crucial to success. The goal is to prioritize based on the greater demand for quality versus quantity. Sometimes something's got to give. It's all about striking a balance and consistently hitting the bullseye as often as I can."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Operational
29. What do you think is an effective approach to working with data?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is probing whether you handle your work with diligence and accuracy. How you answer will clue them in to the level of your skills and your approach.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
You need to explain a process for proofing your work for errors. Items you want to touch on in your answer are your methodology or approach to project management, your organization skills, your attention to detail, and the standard you set for your own work. Consider this when structuring your answer.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"Implementing cross-referencing systems that enhance and guarantee a high attention to detail."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Situational
30. Describe a time where you had conflicting deadlines.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
What the interviewer is attempting to gauge is your ability to handle such high pressured situations on a consistent basis. To determine your fit is to determine your commitment and your ability to persevere through such situations. It's fine to have stress as long as the stress doesn't have you.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
How to Answer
Offer a recent high-stress situation comparable to what you imagine facing in this role. Strike an emotional balance, and convey your understanding of what was expected of you, while being mindful of urgency. Detail how you managed that stressful situation, logistically and emotionally. Elaborate on how you maintained your focus and kept stress at bay. Exhibit strong time management skills. Explain how you re-prioritize your workload as needed. Take pride in the systems you've developed for yourself, placing emphasis on your faith in your own abilities to get the job done.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my last position, my supervisors were carrying a lot on their shoulders. Sometimes they looked at me to 'get it done' without considering what I already had on my plate. Deciding how much I can accomplish is never based on stress. I based them on quantifiable measures and my organizational skills. To take full responsibility for my actions, I communicate my priorities while effectively managing my time. That way, if someone requests something of me that can't be done without something else being re-prioritized, I'll communicate that with confidence, knowing I've done everything I can to set realistic expectations and put my all in performing at my best."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 25th, 2022