Think about a demanding boss, client, or co-worker. How did you learn to interact with this individual?
The wealth management industry is high-stakes and requires thick skin at times. The interviewer wants to know how you interact with those who have challenging personalities.
Think about an individual in the workplace who you found difficult to please and how you interacted with them successfully. Show the interviewer you can adapt to various personalities while remaining professional. Avoid speaking poorly of anyone, and be sure to end your response on a positive note.
"I struggled most with an executive at my previous company. She was brought on with minimal experience in the finance industry but was known to be a 'turn-around artist' across multiple industries. She came out of the gates hard and lacked some professional couth. To win her over, I invited her to lunch with one of my biggest clients. I wanted her to see my work first-hand while also spending one-on-one time together. During that lunch, we bonded as humans, mothers, and professionals with common goals. She learned a lot about the company and industry, and I learned a lot about the skills she brought from her previous roles."
"I have worked most of my career in the finance and banking industry, which attracts a large variety of personalities. I am a warm person by nature and have found it challenging to connect with those who are mostly analytical. My former boss was this way, so I adapted by sticking solely to the facts during meetings, presenting data, and giving a few opinions. It wasn't the deepest relationship of my career, but I made it work."
Goldman Sachs has appeared on the 100 Best Companies to Work For list compiled by Fortune, in part due to its high compensation. However, it is also known for its highly demanding work culture, where many employees are often purported to endure 100-hour work weeks, work under highly critical superiors, and experience elevated stress. Yet, CEO David Solomon is known for increasing pay for the company's programmers and loosening dress codes. According to the information available online on the work environment or culture, this question might be specifically tailored to determine whether you are the right fit for this environment.
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