28 Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis Interview Questions & Answers
1. What experience do you have that will lead to you being an effective liaison between many teams here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis as a Project Analyst?
How to Answer
As a Project Analyst with Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, you will engage with and lead diverse teams of people from within the organization. To do so effectively, you will rely on your ability to be approachable, persuasive and personable. As you look to your past for experiences that will directly correlate with future success in this role, try to pull out an example of a time where you used these skills to bring together a team of people towards one common goal.
1st Answer Example
"In my current role for the past six years as an Analyst in the healthcare industry, I work with a wide variety of staff from many departments. These can include frontline nursing staff, lab staff, administration, finance and others. On a large finance project last year, my ability to speak openly and honestly while being very informative really helped my team pull accurate data from our patient billing department to be put to use with frontline staff. I feel that my current role would really help me hit the ground running in this role here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis."
2nd Answer Example
"As you can see from my resume, my work experience prior to getting into project management and analysis was in sales. From what I gather about this role at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, I would have a hands on approach in coordinating multiple teams working together and the skills that I honed in the sales field will be essential for me. I have a very warm approach with any person that I work with and the ability to convince people that may be on the fence by educating them every step of the way."
2. Pretend an old friend just awoke from a coma that lasted over 30 years. How would you describe the internet to them?
How to Answer
A common tactic used in interviews for Risk Analysts is making you think on your feet. This brain teaser question, or any similar to it, will judge your thoughts processes to come up with an answer rather than what your final answer is as this is a very open ended question. As you provide an answer to this question, make sure that you explain why you are coming up with your answer and your thought process behind them. A solid thought process on your end shows that you can be analytical and while creatively solving problems using your critical thinking skills.
1st Answer Example
"Just like my role as a Risk Analyst, the most important thing that I could do in this situation would be to relate it to everyday things that the person would be familiar with. I would explain that the internet is a combination of television, mail, telephone, the local library and an old computer all put into one place. Each one of those components would help explain things like email, YouTube and all of the other life altering things about the internet. To really throw them for a loop at the end to blow their mind, I'd have to let them know that their local grocery store is also available too!"
2nd Answer Example
"I think that the best way to make it easy to understand would be to start explaining it in its simplest format and then expand from there. I'd draw two neighboring houses and show how the computers in each house can connect to send electronic mail, pictures, videos and information to each other. Then, I'd expand this out over the entire world where we are all connected with all of the feature of the internet. A simplified approach like this is also necessary in our work as Risk Analysts in the financial arena and it really helps people grasp new and very complicated things quickly."
3. If hired for this position at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, what leadership skills would you bring to our team?
How to Answer
While this position at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis may not hold the title of manager, supervisor or director, the organization firmly believes that employees that demonstrate key leadership qualities are better set for future career success. Aside from that, leadership skills help you work better as part of a larger team and with potential customers as well. Prior to your interview, think about one or two leadership qualities that you possess and talk in detail about how you've exemplified those qualities in the past.
1st Answer Example
"I would say that my credibility is my best leadership skill. My openness and honesty suits me well when working among a team of individuals and this helps them gain trust in following my lead when working on projects. Another skill I would bring here to Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis would be my ability to lead by example. I'm not afraid to take a risk in seeking innovation and I've been commended for this trait many times by my current manager."
2nd Answer Example
"If you were to offer this position to me, you'd quickly find that my positive attitude is an inspiration to those that I work closely with. In my current job, we work under the constant stress of tight deadlines and my positivity can be infectious to help others maintain their focus when negativity can easily take over in most situations. I would say that my other strong suit as a natural leader is my ability to be fluid on a day to day basis. Sometimes our world can be monotonous and when change comes, most resist that change. For me, change is a chance to break the current mold and grow as an employee."
4. In this role as a Risk Analyst with Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, you will be expected to be the expert on changes in financial regulations that impact our business. How do you keep yourself up to speed on these changes currently?
How to Answer
In a rapidly changing field like finance, you are expected to keep up with the changes at the snap of a finger and to gauge your ability to do this, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you will have the resources needed. Talk about the groups or publications that you belong to where you get imperative news on the field. If possible, use an example of a time where you shed light to your organization on a new risk from one of those publications. As well, don't hesitate to mention that you enjoy reading and learning new things in the field.
1st Answer Example
"I have been a CFA member for over five years now and I really look forward to the quarterly CFA Digest publication, the CFA Magazine and their news brief email that comes out daily . I find these are great resources that cover things ranging from daily news that impacts our work lives to very big picture studies and findings as published in the digest. If hired for this role, I would continue to be an active CFA member and would continue to utilize their resources for my work."
2nd Answer Example
"As a risk professional, I have been a member of the Global Association of Risk Professionals for many years. I have been certified by the association for Financial Risk Management and I try to attend their national conference every year to network and learn from other professionals. The FRM group has enable me to keep on the forefront of changes in the financial management that impacts risk on an almost daily basis and the group helps me live and breath financial risk every day."
5. The staff at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis are often targets of advanced phishing threats. Explain your experience in helping to prevent phishing attacks and how you can help benefit our team with that experience.
How to Answer
Cyberattackers have become very advanced in their techniques to disguise themselves as a trusting a business in attempts to steal both personal and financial information. They do this through well designed emails to staff of banking institutions to try and trick frontline staff into releasing information to them. At Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, staff need to be aware of these attacks and you will be tasked with helping to prevent phishing attacks in this role. Talk about the experience you have in helping to prevent phishing attacks and try to relate your experience to the banking world.
1st Answer Example
"In my current role, training and education of staff is the number one priority in preventing phishing attacks because attacks come to individuals and are often very well disguised. I've created several online training modules to help staff spot and report phishing attempts from hackers and the program has worked wonderfully. If hired for this role, I could hit the ground running in helping to create great training modules for the staff here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis."
2nd Answer Example
"Being very familiar with the latest techniques that phishing hackers are using, I've worked through setting up firewalls to detect phishing attempts and used antivirus software that utilizes internet security. Here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, I understand that phishing is a very common threat that hackers utilize to steal personal and financial information and firewalls can be a very effective technique to help block those attempts."
6. We pride ourselves on teamwork here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis and this role in Client Services relies on teamwork. What are the top qualities you would bring to a team based atmosphere here?
How to Answer
At the heart of this question falls your interviewers need to determine how well you will work with others on the team at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis. You will be working with high level advisors and managers that are under a lot of pressure to perform in their jobs and your communications with them will either alleviate some of that stress or add to it. To ensure that your interviewer walks away from your conversation knowing that you are a team player that keeps the end goals of the company in mind, focus your answer on your effective communication skills, your knowledge of everyone's role on the team and your knowledge of what your role on the team will be.
1st Answer Example
"As with any team that I have worked on in the past, my priority is knowing that everyone has an important piece in the overall success of the team. In customer service, this is knowing who to contact with the right questions and who to guide customers to when needed. This ensures that our work is done efficiently on our end of things and that our customers are handled efficiently and effectively. If hired here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, my first goal would be to get to know everyone on the team that I would work with, what their roles are and how to best communicate with them."
2nd Answer Example
"My top quality is my ability to communicate, both verbally and through writing. I have excellent interpersonal speaking and listening skills and my past colleagues have always appreciated this. Here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, your clients would appreciate this in my work as well. I am a very efficient and effective written communicator as well and this would be very beneficial at a company like Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, where your offices are spread throughout the country and I can imagine that email communication is vitally important."
7. At Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, we expect our Economists to give regular presentations and updates to our advisory staff. What experience do you have presenting in front of a captive audience?
How to Answer
While you likely entered the field of economics because of your analytical, mathematical and critical thinking skills, your interviewer is looking to gain insight into some of your interpersonal skills with this question. If hired for this role at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, you will be asked to present regularly to the Advisors and Portfolio Manager staff that will make some decisions based on your findings and you need to be comfortable in handling this aspect of the job. In your answer, use specific experience you do have in presenting to large groups and talk about the skills that you possess that will help you thrive in that position.
1st Answer Example
"As I look back on my career as an Economist that has stretched over a couple of different industries, I am confident in lending a majority of my success to my ability to communicate and work with others. In my current role in the insurance industry, I am a regular guest at many corporate functions and agent staff meetings where I present on economic trends. During these presentations, I am charged with creating interactive presentations to help engage our audience and provoke questions from them. I am absolutely comfortable in being a subject matter expert in front of these groups and would look forward to being thrown into this role here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis."
2nd Answer Example
"In my current role, I work hand in hand with staff to walk them through my reports that I create to explain my findings and what it means in their daily work. In this role, I see myself as an adviser that is there to help educate and help our staff and organization prosper and I love that aspect of my role. If brought aboard the team here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, I would see myself as that same educator that would present my findings to your team in a fun and useful manner."
8. What SDLC models are you familiar in working with?
How to Answer
As a software engineer, you are very familiar with the software development life cycle. For this question, your interviewer is looking to hear what models you have worked on in the past. While there isn't necessarily a right or wrong answer to this question, try to show your flexibility to working with different SDLC models by bringing up your past experiences. Then, show you have knowledge of different models like the waterfall model or agile model. It is also a good idea to use this question as an opportunity for you to learn more about Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis by asking your interviewer which model they work off of.
1st Answer Example
"During my training in software engineering and in my early career, the waterfall model was the standard. In this model, each phase of the development process happens in a set order and projects using this model are easily managed. But over time, as the development projects that I have led have become more complicated and intricate, I have implemented the spiral model. This model has allowed the ability of end users to give feedback early on and often during development and helps to build a more customized product to our customers."
2nd Answer Example
"In my current position with XYZ Company, my department utilizes the agile model in development life cycle. Since our products are so tailored to the needs of our customers, we get a working product very early on in the process and then I work hand in hand with customers to fine tune the software moving forward. It is a very effective model that has built a great reputation for our software among customers. I also have familiarity working with the iterative model and it has similar advantages to the agile model. If I were hired here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, can you expand on what models you use here in your software development life cycle?"
9. How do you respond to problems that require a quick solution?
How to Answer
You may experience a variety of issues related to customers or technical issues while working in the banking industry. Give an example that demonstrates your confidence and your strength as a decision maker and a problem-solver.
1st Answer Example
"I can think quickly and can do mental math, problem-solve, and mention other products and services to offer the customers. In the case of an urgent matter, I trust my instincts and can quickly evaluate situations to recognize the next steps and act accordingly. I feel secure in my ability to think and act quickly while I'm working in ABC position for Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis."
2nd Answer Example
"When faced with a situation where a quick solution is required, I will rely on my training, my memory, and my instincts. I am confident in my ability to find a solution to last minute, or unexpected, problems."
10. If hired here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, what do you feel would be the biggest hurdle for you to overcome from the start?
How to Answer
The key to answering this question with confidence starts with understanding that you are interviewing with Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis because your interviewer feels that you are a strong candidate for this position. What your interviewer is focusing on with this question is how they could be of most help to you if hired for the job. So, take the time prior to your interview to think about an aspect of the position that would be the most difficult for you to overcome to be up and running at full speed and then take time to explain how you would plan to overcome that hurdle if hired. This structured answer will tell your interviewer that you have put thought to your potential shortcoming with a plan of action.
1st Answer Example
"As you can see from my resume, I don't have any direct working experience with the financial industry and I would see that as my largest learning opportunity if offered this position. Like I did with my current job in the healthcare industry, I would take the time to learn the basics of the industry that would help me design the most intuitive user interfaces in the products here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis."
2nd Answer Example
"Being a team player by nature, I've always considered my first challenge at any new company to be the task of getting to know my colleagues, their work preferences and their work styles. In the same breath, I want them to know who I am and how I best work as part of a team with them. To accomplish this, I would take the initiative to set one on one meetings with individuals that I didn't get to touch base with during my orientation process to get to know them better."
11. Would you say that you are a goal oriented on the job? What would I be able to do as your manager to help you achieve your goals if hired here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis?
How to Answer
At the heart of this question lies your interviewers desire to see what motivates you as a potential employee at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis. Make it clear to your interviewer that you certainly are motivated by on the job goals and do this by using an example of a time where you were motivated by and achieved a goal. Then, think deeply about the type of manager that you like to work for in terms of goal setting and helping our achieve your goals. Let your interviewer know what type of management styles you appreciate the most while being open to any style.
1st Answer Example
"I would definitely say that I am goal oriented on the job in wanting to contribute any way that I can to the overall benefit of the organization. In my current organization, our leadership focuses on overall sales numbers at the end of the year. To help achieve these goals, our department creates our own goals to help achieve the sales numbers needed to succeed. Last year, one of those goals was to be as creative as possible in our user experience design processes. With the launch of an exciting new app midyear, sales numbers skyrocketed and our department was instrumental in that. For me, it was important that we determined our goals as a team with the final stamp of approval from our manager. While this style of management really helped motivate me, I can thrive under any management style as long as expectations and goals for my work are clearly set."
2nd Answer Example
"For me, my day to day work is much more meaningful when I have goals to work for. In my current role, we have set timelines for our projects and this helps lay the framework for our goals. If hired for this position, my expectations of you as my manager would be to have goals clearly defined and a supportive atmosphere to be provided to work within."
12. Leading change into the future will be important for this role here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis. What are the main challenges that leaders face while trying to implement change in the workplace?
How to Answer
In your effort to join Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis as a Senior Consultant, change management will be an important key to your success in this role. As you answer, be sure to make it clear to your interviewer that you understand the human element and how it plays into hesitancy to change in the workplace. Talk about how your role helps to facilitate the process of change while taking into account this human element. As well, talk about how implementing changes in the workplace often encounters many variables, like the failure of leaders within the organization.
1st Answer Example
"As a person that knows change is naturally hard for any person, implementing change in the workplace is cone best when communication is clear and strong relationships are leveraged to build trust among the entire team. Taking a communicative and personable approach often brings people on the fence to embrace the change and work with it moving forward. As well, the leaders here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis need to be trained on how to implement change within their work units. As you can see from my resume, I have a lot of great experience in training managers on being agents of change and I'd love to bring these skills to the team here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis."
2nd Answer Example
"During the times I've led projects that implemented significant changes within an organization, the biggest challenge I have seen is failure from management on implementing the change in a positive and impactful way. in my current role, I ensure that front line supervisors and department leaders are involved in the change management process from the start to help them have buy-in and a stake in the changes being implemented. This ends up having a very positive effect on frontline staff that are eventually asked to change the most."
13. At Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, your job as a Risk Analyst would entail keeping a close eye on interest rates for our clients. How do you think interest rates will trend in the next year?
How to Answer
While your interviewer knows that predicting this question isn't an exact science, they will be looking to hear that you consider all variables possible in your answer to make the best determination possible. To be successful in this role with Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, your future clients will rely on your ability to forecast interest rates at times and you need to have the ability to do so with the right knowledge in hand. When answering, make sure that you use a methodical approach and explain each step in the process.
1st Answer Example
"In my current role that I've held for the past six years, a key to my success has been my ability to create and analyze short-term rate models that most accurately predict future interest rates for the clients that I've worked with. If you aren't familiar with the short-term rate models, they utilize a stochastic process to evolve spot interest rates to predict future rates. Just last year, my work was commended by a high profile client that I advised using this method."
2nd Answer Example
"As you can see from my portfolio, I have extensive training and experience in macroeconomics and I've found that macro trends are a great predictor of interest rates. With interest rates changing on a daily basis, long-term trends from a source like the treasury yield most often follow the same patter as the interest rate percentages most accurately versus utilizing short-term movements in markets, the economy and policy. To better assist my clients, I always keep a watch on the U.S. Treasury yields."
14. What would you say is your style of managing change within an organization?
How to Answer
While certainly a very open ended question coming from your interviewer, they'll ideally be looking to hear the key skills and abilities that you will bring to the team at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis to help guide positive changes for business into the future. As you prepare for and eventually answer this question in an interview, try to highlight your best skills that prove your ability to consult on change management within an organization and use examples of times you've put these skills to use on the job. If possible, try to be as diverse as possible in your answer to show that you are flexible and well rounded as you look to take on this role.
1st Answer Example
"I would say that my style mixes both a process driven approach and a personable approach. First and foremost, I'm a firm believer that a project roadmap created by key stakeholders is the first step towards a successful change within any process. I then work closely with anyone necessary to ensure the process is accurate and fair to all involved. Last year, I took on a project that involved stakeholders from many departments. I took the time to meet 1:1 with them along with organizing a large group meeting for the entire stakeholder team. This helped map out the project roadmap and create a huge success in the end of the project."
2nd Answer Example
"Being a very data driven leader, I like to rely on hard data to implement change. This helps drive the communications to staff and eventually help to instill confidence in the plan for all people involved. On top of the data piece, I also consider myself a great change management coach. As you can see from my resume, I've received the Prosci Change Management Certificate that focuses on the ADKAR methodology and am very well versed coaching leaders and front-line staff on change management procedures and would love to bring these skills to the team here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis."
15. Talk about a time you had to pay particular attention to detail on a job duty or project. What was it important to do so?
How to Answer
The Analysts at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis need to have a very strong ability to pay attention to the fine details in their research and analysis of data to be successful. For this question, your interviewer will be looking to gauge your ability to scour over the minute details of your work by having you talk about a time or two you have had to do so in the past. No matter what example you give, it is important that you stress that you know why it was important and that being very detailed in your work is what sets you apart from your competition for this job.
1st Answer Example
"I'm a true believer that the small details ultimately create the big picture in any work that is done and I always make sure that no short cuts are taken or stones left unturned in my research and analysis. In my current job, I'm conducting market research on pricing for a new line of products. My first step on this project was to make sure that I had every avenue open for my research and I did so through talking to many experts in the product line and conducting my own pre-research. While others in my role could have gotten away with quick research and moved forward, that wouldn't have done the new product line justice and could've ended in major failure."
2nd Answer Example
"During my recent undergraduate and graduate schooling, I undertook many projects that required a very fine attention to detail. For my Master's dissertation, I focused on the financial forecasting for a small Midwestern town on holiday weekends when traffic was high. I got very detailed in my dissertation by obtaining traffic data over the course of three major holiday weekends and foot traffic at local convenience stores and restaurants. This project really helped instill the importance of details on a project that I'd look forward to bringing to the team here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis."
16. How do you work in environments with people who are different from you?
How to Answer
The banking industry thrives on team players with communication and listening skills who can help build internal and customer relations with individuals of diverse backgrounds. Give an example of how you led a team, or collaborated with a group for a school project, to show Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis that you are perceptive and sensitive to the needs of others.
1st Answer Example
"I have worked with people from all backgrounds and personalities. Whenever I join a new team, I make a point to get to know each person and find ways we can connect. I'm outgoing and friendly with everyone I meet while respecting their different styles and any open ideas they may bring to the team."
2nd Answer Example
"Diversity is all around us, whether it be at work or home. I treat everyone equally and give everyone the respect and positive attitude that I would expect to receive from them."
17. At Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, cybersecurity is priority number one in this role. What DLP tools are you familiar with that will help prevent any types of data breaches?
How to Answer
In looking to join Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis as a cybersecurity expert, your interviewer will expect that you have a good handle on accidental breaches, intentional breaches and system hacks and the different data leakage prevention tools and software that exist. Answer this question openly and honestly while stressing to your interviewer that you have an open mind when it comes to adapting to and learning new technologies that are focused on the banking and financial industries.
1st Answer Example
"Over the last 10 years in my career in cybersecurity, I've worked with Symantec, Digital Guardian and Teramind DLP software. While every system had its pro's and con's, I've become the expert on our team to lead RFP processes when looking at new systems because of my ability to determine how a new system will impact our business. If hired here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, you can rest assured that I have the technical savvy and knowledge to learn any system used here."
2nd Answer Example
"In my current work, I am most familiar with Code42 and its innate insider risk detection and response abilities. In my current field, insider threat has been a problem from the past and I was put in the lead to implement Code42 into use at my organization. I was able to learn the system quickly, implement it and train my team on its use in a matter of a couple of months. I am also familiar with programs like Endpoint Protector and McAfee Total Protection."
18. What experience do you have in the different types of software maintenance?
How to Answer
As a reputable company, Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis takes their software maintenance processes seriously and your interviewer is looking to hear that you are familiar with the four different types of software maintenance. Talk to your interviewer about any work you have done in the past with corrective, adaptive, perfective and/or preventative software maintenance. Use specific examples and make sure that your interviewer walks away from your conversation knowing that you understand the importance of proper system maintenance.
1st Answer Example
"Being familiar with all four types of software maintenance, my most used method of maintenance in my current role is corrective. Based on bug reports from end users, I work through coding and logic issues to resolve issues in a timely and effective manner. In the maintenance I perform, I never hesitate to pick up the phone and contact customers to hear first hand about what they are experiencing. By doing this, they feel like they are an important part of the process and it reflects well on me and my organization."
2nd Answer Example
"In my current role, I'd definitely say that a majority of the maintenance work that I do is adaptive maintenance. Working in banking software that is used around the globe, I help perform system maintenance for changes in currency on a pretty regular basis. This work requires research and talking with end users to help adapt the programs for their use. If hired here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, I also have experience performing perfective, preventative and corrective maintenance on software as well."
19. Our clients here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis expect top-tier service and products and we will expect you to do just that in this role. Have you ever went the extra mile for a client when it wasn't expected? Why did you do so?
How to Answer
Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis looks to set themselves apart from their competition by delivering the best service possible in the industry. You, as a customer service professional, are likely used to doing this so in your example, be sure to think about a time where your going above and beyond the call of duty really impacted the overall customer experience. No matter what example you use, be sure to explain why you felt it was important to take that action and what outcomes you are aware that it produced.
1st Answer Example
"A couple of years ago when I was working customer service in retail, a customer was looking for what happened to be a discontinued item of clothing for her sick mother. The easy route would have been to simply look it up, tell her it was discontinued and have her be on her way. What I did was take down the customers contact information and let her know that I could contact our person that handled archived products. If we could track it down, I would be in touch. With a simple phone call, my colleague was able to track the item down from the supplier and have it coordinated to ship directly. We put the customer in direct contact with the supplier and she was as happy as could be. Looking back on that situation, I felt that it was the right thing to do given the situation that the customer was in and knowing she was a loyal customer of ours."
2nd Answer Example
"My current role in hospitality often has me working with very high profile customers that come to our hotel. Last year, a touring manager for a musician contacted me regarding and upcoming stay for the musician. I proactively asked for their dining and entertainment preferences and with that list, I was able to work with our catering staff to ensure we had preferred items on the menus for the nights that he stayed and that we had a customized video game package in the musician's room for the his extended stay. Prior to him leaving, his manager reached out to thank me for the great service!"
20. How do you stay organized?
How to Answer
Staying organized is essential to make sure that you are thorough and pay attention to details, to keep customers happy. It is also necessary for accomplishing your daily tasks behind the scenes. Share a few tools that have helped you stay on-task and on-time.
1st Answer Example
"I prioritize my workload against deadlines to stay organized, always putting the needs of customers first."
2nd Answer Example
"I work closely with my peers to share responsibilities and ensure key tasks are delegated out, should there be an important deadline to consider."
21. What is one unique personality trait you possess that would help you be successful in this role with Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis?
How to Answer
This question is allowing you to have the floor during your interview to wow your interviewer with something they might not know about you yet from your resume or time so far during the interview. Think about a strong, unique trait that you have that has led to prior success in your field and explain in detail how this will help further you in your career with Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis. If possible, be very unique in your answer to draw a direct line between your personality and success in this role.
1st Answer Example
"From what my parents have told me about me as a young child, passion has been a personality trait that has driven me my whole life. When I tackle something in life, I need to be passionate about it for it to be a success. From my time as a young child up to today, I have been passionate about physical fitness and this has driven me to participate in running and biking races across the country. This same passion in the pursuit of excellence has translated into my career as a software engineer. From tinkering with computer hardware at a young age and learning the internal components of a system to learning how to create and design software, you'll quickly find that my passion to engineer the most unique software here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis will be extremely beneficial to your team."
2nd Answer Example
"I would have to say that my humility has been instrumental in getting me to where I am at today in my career. Having worked with one of the largest software companies in the world, egos were certainly high with a lot of my teammates and I have always used my humility to let my work do my talking for me while remaining a friendly and curious colleague to all."
22. If hired for this position as an Economist with Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, we would look to you for global economic insights. What one global trend to you feel will heavily impact financial markets in the next ten years?
How to Answer
While there are many directions that you can go with this question, your interviewer is truly testing your critical thinking skills in applying situations to the market. However you answer, be sure that you can speak knowledgeably as to why that global trend would have a major impact on the stock market and how you feel it would have the greatest impact. With no right or wrong answer to the question, your interviewer will be reading your confidence and your poker face in giving your answer.
1st Answer Example
"To me, the direction that sustainable energy goes in the next ten years will have the greatest impact on the global economy and markets worldwide. While archaic methods of energy like mining still occur and have an impact, the ramping up of green energy could bring forth many new players in the energy game that will be projected to grow exponentially. To me, this has been the biggest trend to keep an eye on moving forward."
2nd Answer Example
"Automation, artificial intelligence and robots are a growing trend that could impact markets in both positive and negative ways into the future. I believe we are going to see the global labor market change with more and more automation taking workers jobs and the biggest shift in the markets that will have to be monitored is how businesses and industries react to and thrive in that dynamic."
23. What do you feel are the primary features and benefits of the Java programming language?
How to Answer
As a company that utilizes Java, Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis and your interviewer want to make sure that you have an understanding of the Java programming language and they do so by asking this question. Obviously a language packed with unique features, talk about the features that you can speak the most knowledgeably about and tie your direct experience to.
Answer Example
"When I started working with Java three years ago, the first huge benefit was the fact that the Java syntax was based on C++. At that time, I had a great working knowledge of C++ and my transition to Java was absolutely seamless. The other amazing feature that I've come to appreciate with Java is how robust the memory management is in exception handling and automatic garbage collection."
24. As a Research Associate with Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, how would you go about minimizing the risk for errors in your work?
How to Answer
At Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, your work has the potential to have a great impact on a large number of people and while you won't be expected to be perfect in your work, your interviewer will be looking to hear about the steps you take in your work as a Research Analyst to help mitigate risk in your work. If possible, talk about any quality assurance training you have received that you apply to your work on a daily basis to prove that you are patient and detailed in the work that you will be performing while on the job at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis.
1st Answer Example
"Quality assurance in my work really starts with taking the time to review my data three times and reference it back to my research. To maintain consistency for myself, three times is a great number I learned from a mentor early in my career. I've found this method helps make my work as error free as possible because at times on very large projects, the second and third runs through often find me catching small errors that were overlooked."
2nd Answer Example
"I've become very effective at instituting audit protocols into my data research throughout my career. Audit can happen at any time during a research project and I have the wherewithal to know when to implement audits into the trial, data collection and data analysis process on any project."
25. Do you have experience working with different CASE tools? If so, what do you have experience with?
How to Answer
The world of software engineering has greatly benefited from advancements in computer aided software engineering tools. Because Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis is at the forefront of the industry, your interviewer will be looking to hear which tools you have experience with. Make sure not to concern yourself with providing a correct answer here, but rather focus on your flexibility to learn new aides when needed while explaining what you have experience with.
1st Answer Example
"In my current role, I regularly utilize both diagramming and web development tools. The diagram tools assist our software projects by outlining the system data and components in a graphical form for us and this saves us a great amount of time while also being very reliable. The web development tools greatly help me visualize site changes that I am making because I don't have a deep background in web development. If hired for this position, I'd look forward to learning other CASE tools for prototyping, quality assurance and maintenance."
2nd Answer Example
"During my career and in my experience with CASE tools, most of my experience is in the lower CASE elements that focus on coding and testing the software after initial development. CASE tools have certainly made life as a software engineer more efficient and effective and I'd look forward to learn any new CASE tools if hired for this position here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis."
26. What programming languages would you consider yourself fluent in?
How to Answer
While this question gives your interviewer insight into the diversity of your programming language experience, they most importantly want to know that you are adaptable and able to learn on the fly if needed. Talk about the different languages that you consider yourself fluent in and, if possible, do as much research into Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis as you can prior to your interview and try to speak to the specific languages that they work with.
1st Answer Example
"From the start of college, where software engineering grew into a passion for me, I've become very fluent in Java, JavaScript and C++. My current role has me working primarily with C++, but I pride myself on my ability and passion to learn new programming languages and would be able to do so if hired for this role with Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis."
2nd Answer Example
"During my training to be an engineer and then in my current role since graduating, a majority of my experience falls within Python. My current role delves deeply into artificial intelligence and Python is awesome with this advanced technology. As I understand it from talking to another engineer here at Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, a requirement would be for me to learn Scala. Though I haven't worked directly with Scala, I believe my experience and willingness to learn would have me up and running in no time if hired for this role."
27. Talk to me about a challenging situation you had to handle on the job that involved another colleague. How did you handle that situation?
How to Answer
At the heart of this question, your interviewer is looking to hear how you use solid interpersonal and relationship building skills to diffuse a difficult situation with a coworker when on the job. No matter what situation that you talk about, make sure to focus your answer on a positive mindset and the steps that you walked through to turn a potentially hazardous situation into a good one. As well, talk about lessons learned from that situation that you keep with you to this day on the job.
1st Answer Example
"A couple of years ago, we had hired a new Junior Advisor on to our team and I was tasked with being his mentor. Having mentored several other thriving Junior Advisors prior to him starting, I was excited for the opportunity. Within the first week of him being on the job, I overheard a colleague of mine talking very openly about his disdain for the hire of this new Advisor and witnessing him personally criticizing him in a face-to-face encounter. Immediately, I spoke to my colleague in a private office about my concern over his actions and words towards the new Advisor. Having been a part of the interview process and his early mentorship, I knew that he had the skills to succeed and I reiterated that to my colleague. After agreeing to back off on any private criticizing of the new Advisor and a promise to help mentor him, I learned that direct conversations are the best way to handle workplace conflicts."
2nd Answer Example
"f"A couple of years ago, I approached a colleague that had missed a deadline or a big audit we were conducting and she completely blew up at my during our conversation. At first, I was very taken aback by her response because I had never witnessed that from her in many years of working together. While remaining calm, I allowed her the opportunity to vent to me and it turns out that she was going through a lot of things in her personal life that were impacting her work. While keeping our project deadlines in mind, I also took a personal approach in letting her know that she could bring these issues to me as both a colleague and a friend and we could work through them together in the future. This approach is vital to any conflicts that can arise with colleagues and one I don't hesitate to take when needed."
28. What software analysis and design tools do you have familiarity working with?
How to Answer
As a software engineer for Federal Reserve Bank Of St. Louis, your interviewer wants to hear that you have experience in utilizing tools that you make you more proficient in your work. Dig back on your past experiences and talk openly about your experiences with the different analysis and design tools that are available to help you be better in the work that you do. In the end, make sure that your interviewer understands that you are proficient in the use of these tools and open to learning and using new tools as well.
1st Answer Example
"As my career and experience in software engineering has grown over the years, I've come to really appreciate and utilize these tools that are available. A great example of this would be my recent education and use of Structured English for designing insurance claim software for a large auto insurer. The simplicity of the structured decisions in the program were a perfect example of a program that could utilize the tool and the end product ended up very functional for our customer."
2nd Answer Example
"I have great working knowledge in creating and reading data flow diagrams. To help with both our own sales staff and with customers, DFD's have been super helpful and I consider myself very proficient in creating them. I've also recently been introduced to decision tables to aid in product testing. I was working on a new system that involved some very complicated business rules and the decision table helped outline everything perfectly for our testing."