27 Hancock Bank Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Hancock Bank interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view six answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. At Hancock Bank, we expect our advisors to be available to speak with clients in person, over the phone and through email. What are your experiences in working with clients through different communication methods?
How to Answer
Customer interaction is the name of the game at Hancock Bank as they rely on excellent customer to service to retain and grow their client base in a cutthroat market. For this question, your interviewer is looking to get a sense of how you use your communication skills to your advantage in your work and how those skills will benefit Hancock Bank. As you answer and talk about your experiences in communication methods, try to show that you thrive on client interactions and have the ability to be both persuasive and trusted with those interactions.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"Looking back on my career, I can honestly say that success as an Advisor is really due to my passion for finance and my desire for interactions with other people. Being a people person at heart, I love working with clients in any way possible. My communication style with clients is to get to personally know them so I can relate my advising to them personally. While I definitely prefer to interact with my clients face-to-face, I do have a lot of experience communicating both over the phone and email as well. If hired for this position, you'll see very quickly that I have excellent writing skills."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"As you can see from my resume, I have taken advanced training courses in public speaking and written communication to help further me in this career field. In my early days in finance and making the move to financial advising, communication skills were my area that needed the most professional development. Today, I am confident in my abilities to work one on one with clients directly in person, over the phone or through email and have experience handling clients in all three ways. In my current role, I'd estimate that over 50% of my interactions are through email with the remaining interactions split between face-to-face meetings and phone calls."
2. How do you define success?
How to Answer
Think about your definition of success. Be sure to tie your answer into the success that you plan to bring to this particular position, should you be offered the role with Hancock Bank.
1st Answer Example
"I define success through my ability to reach the goals that are set out for me. On a personal level, the things I wish to achieve in my life. On a work level, the targets that are set out for me as well as the professional development that I seek."
2nd Answer Example
"For me, success is achieved when I can be proud of what I have accomplished in the day, and can also be proud of the attitude that I kept while meeting those accomplishments."
3. Take a couple of minutes to sell this notepad to me.
How to Answer
To be successful in the financial advising field, one top key to success is your ability to sell your service to your clients. For this task, your interviewer will slide a notepad (or other item) to you across the table and ask you to sell it to them. First and foremost, your interviewer will be looking for you to project confidence in your pitch and your ability to find their own needs in what they're looking for in a notepad while you give them your pitch. As you sell them the notepad, be sure that you are confident, creative and that you ask questions of them. Overall, see this question as a fun opportunity to show your advising skills in a very nontraditional way and it will be a success for you.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"Well Mr. Jones, I know in your line that you definitely in high need of notepads to help you succeed in your industry and I'm here to show you a new product we have put out to market that can exceed your needs. You'll notice that it features very wide margins that accentuate the note taking procedures for all who use it. You'll also notice that each individual sheet is carefully perforated to make separation from the binding an easy task compared to other notepads. The last feature of our new notepad is that it comes in many different paper colors that suit your needs. If you want, take this sample to your office for a week and put it to use. If you and your staff would make use of it, I can set you up with your first shipment in no time!"
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"Mrs. Jones, we at Notepads, Inc. are excited to announce a new line of notepads for our exclusive customers. If you can, tell me a bit about your frustrations with your current line of notepads that you use. Wow, thank you for that. I can tell that functionality, cost and supply are all issues that are of concern and I'm happy to tell you that this fantastic notepad meets your needs with the brightest white paper, narrow ruled, right priced and readily available features. I'd like to talk about you further about pricing and delivery options when you are ready."
4. 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 Hancock Bank."
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."
5. What are one or two of the aspects that you think you would love about our Teller job at Hancock Bank?
How to Answer
While your interviewer is asking this question to verify that you understand the role and life with Hancock Bank, this is your opportunity to sell your skills and abilities to your interviewer as well. As you prepare for this question, think of your best skills that you find the most enjoyable to yourself and match them with the aspect of this job. As you answer, speak with passion about the aspects you will find the most enjoyable and explain why those aspects will be vital to your success in this role.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"The biggest thing that I am most excited for in this role at Hancock Bank is the opportunity to now interact with customers on a face to face basis. As a people person by nature, I've felt so held back working for the last four years with customers over the phone. My positive attitude and friendly approach would be a huge asset to your customers and I would make it a priority to always be that smiling face that people encounter when they come to handle their personal business at Hancock Bank."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"After talking with my cousin that has been a Bank Teller for her entire career, I know that I would love the variety and problem solving aspects of this job. I would look forward to the fact that no two workdays are the same and that I'd be working with individual customers with every transaction. As a person that thrives thinking on their feet, working with unique customers would give me the opportunity to help them troubleshoot issues and find solutions for them."
6. Discuss a time that you worked a client through a difficult financial situation. What were the keys to making it a success for the client?
How to Answer
Your interviewer is posing this question to see how you will handle a situation where a client at Hancock Bank is working through a difficult time. As you talk about how you managed that situation, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you have the interpersonal skills to be effective from the client's perspective. In your answer, be sure to explain the importance of an empathetic approach with your clients and how that approach helps them get through a difficult time.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"During the recession in 2008, I had a very large client call to request that all of his funds be pulled out of the stock market. Knowing that this move was a very poor strategy, I needed him to hear that in most personal and educated way possible. With an active listening approach, I repeated back what he had told me and I reiterated that he wanted to sell them at a low price and hopefully buy them back down the road at a high price. This made the client take a pause and think. This was my opportunity to talk about market history and the odds that his stock prices would rebound over time. He decided to keep his funds in the market at the time and a few years down the road, he called to personally thank me for the sound advice. The fact that I took a personal approach while educating him in the process to make his own decision was the definite key to success in this situation."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"Sometimes in this field, difficult conversations have to be had with clients and when I need to have them, I use a very personal and empathetic approach. A great situation where this happened was with a client that wasn't meeting their personal retirement goals to be done working at age 62. At the point we were working together, she was 55 years old. After a quick assessment of her finances, I talked to her about letting her two kids be responsible for their own college tuition. As a mother, her intuition was to support her children in every way possible but the reality was that it was hurting her own goals. Simply put to her, I told her that there are no loans available for retirement and that she was doing both herself and her kids a favor by taking the route I suggested."
7. In your mind, why is it important that Hancock Bank focuses on customer service?
How to Answer
The customers are the lifeblood of a bank and without them, Hancock Bank wouldn't be able to thrive or possibly even stay open for business. With this question, your interviewer will be most interested in hearing why you believe that customer service is important for this role as a Teller and then hear what skills you will help bring to this role. As you prepare for your interview, be sure to think about your prior customer service experience and think of ways that you can draw upon that experience in this role with Hancock Bank. In the end, make sure that your interviewer walks away from your conversation confident in your ability to provide the best customer service possible.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"Having worked in retail for all of my career up to this point, I have customer service engrained in my brain and know I have the skills necessary in this area to be the best I can be for your customers. I have to be knowledgeable about products, pricing and options to be able to answer any and all questions that come my way. I also need to be a great communicator and have excellent listening skills to really get to the individual needs of each customer. In the banking world, I imagine that competition between institutions is fierce and often the main draw between your institution and a competitor is the excellent customer service that you provide. If hired at Hancock Bank, I'd look forward to helping be this differentiating factor for existing and future customers."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"Customers in any industry have become more tech savvy and self aware now more than ever and the service they are provided is often the key determining factor in where they take their business. I'm sure that Hancock Bank puts a lot of time and resources into training staff in customer service skills. Coming into this role, I have a lot of extensive training in customer service. In the past few years, I've attended online and in-person trainings on telephone customer service, upselling skills and the generational gaps in customer service expectations and would love the opportunity to showcase my skills with your customers here at Hancock Bank."
8. If working here at Hancock Bank in this role and you found a more efficient way of handling a job duty or process, what steps would you take in order to ensure that your idea was heard?
How to Answer
Business process improvements are sought on a consistent basis in any industry and the banking industry is now exception. And because many of these process changes are initiated by frontline employees like Tellers, your interviewer is looking to hear that you will always have an open eye toward seeing improvements. As you answer this question, while there is no right or wrong answer, use a methodical approach in answering how you would approach this situation hypothetically. If you have a time that you did just this, be sure to explain that to your interviewer as well and walk through your thought process in that situation.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"In any role that I've taken on during my career, I take all of the extra time and effort that I can to learn every aspect of the job. This lets me really dissect every piece of a process and enables me to look for better ways of doing things. If I were to find a better way of handling a duty or process here at Hancock Bank, I would likely first run my idea by a colleague or two to ensure that my thought process was sound. Then, I wouldn't hesitate to bring my idea up to my supervisor where I would explain my thought process and what the benefits would be."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"In my current role, I did just this a few months ago when I noticed that our triaging of incoming phone calls with customers wasn't as efficient as it could be. On my own, I started documenting incoming calls and tracking the number of times a caller had to be transferred to get to the correct person. Based on a couple of week's worth of data, I was able to draft a new routing system based on customer needs and take this to my manager. Even though it didn't take much extra effort, the work definitely paid off in regard to internal efficiency and customer satisfaction when we implemented a new system after some tweaking to my draft. With Hancock Bank, I wouldn't hesitate to take this same approach on the job if I found a better way of doing things."
9. At Hancock Bank, our Personal Bankers work with clients from all different walks of life. How do you handle working with many different personalities throughout the day?
How to Answer
As a Personal Banker with Hancock Bank, you will be dealing with a wide variety of clients and your interviewer will be looking to hear that you are able to tailor your approach to working with many different personalities while maintaining a knowledgeable and professional approach with each person. In your answer, be sure to stress that you have the patience to work with all different types of people effectively and the calmness to handle customers that are demanding or full of questions. If you have an example of a role you've held in the past where you've worked with customers, feel free to bring examples of times you had to work with differing personalities first hand.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"In my current role in sales, I work with customers from all different economic and cultural backgrounds. My personality really suits a sales based role well because I have the ability to personally connect with any person that I work closely with and I do this with a very friendly, yet professional approach. I take as much pride in selling a lower end product to a person with lower socioeconomic status as I do in selling a product to the CEO of a large company. I've been in both of those situations and as long as the customer leaves satisfied with a smile on their face, I know it was a job well done."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"I really pride myself on my ability to work effectively with many personality types and people from different backgrounds. In my current role as a Financial Advisor, I work with clients that range from C-Suite Executives all the way down to entry level employees making close to minimum wage. I have the ability to connect with and relate to any individual on a personal level as this is so important in the financial field. If hired here at Hancock Bank, this ability would greatly help your customers that are in need of personal banking advising."
10. On the finance side of Hancock Bank, we expect our representatives to be ingrained in our sales focused culture. If hired for this role, how would you learn and embrace our sales process?
How to Answer
As an experienced loan or finance professional, your interviewer is likely very confident in the skills that you would bring to the team. This question gives them the opportunity to how you will fit into the unique culture with the team at Hancock Bank. Because they are a sales focused organization, your interviewer will expect anyone in this role to embrace that culture. In your answer, talk about your ability to partner with sales staff by using your strong people skills. As well, give your interviewer a sense of how you go about learning new processes if hired for this position and don't hesitate to give an example from your past on how you've done this.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"Knowing that the main goal of Hancock Bank is to sell more products, I understand my role on the finance side is to provide customers with the best options for them to walk out the door as a lifelong customer. If hired for this role, I will take the time over the first weeks on the job to fully understand your product line, costs and typical financing procedures so I can hit the ground running in no time. In my current role, I communicate very regularly with our sales staff on each customer that we work mutually together with. It really helps provide the best customer experience possible and absolutely helps boost sales."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"I would fully expect that a good part of my orientation process into this role at Hancock Bank would entail a full education on the sales part of the business. I would look forward to working closely with and learning from the boots on the ground sales staff as that would give me great insight into the customers that I would be working with. From there, I would be able to build relationships with the sales staff and build a bond moving forward."
11. In your own personal life, what banking products do you use and what benefits do you see in using them?
How to Answer
With this question, your interviewer is seeking to first see what types of banking products you are familiar with by having you talk knowledgeably about the products that you use. Then, under the surface, your interviewer will be looking to see how you can help sell similar services to the customers at Hancock Bank if you were hired for this role. As you answer the question, try to take a salesperson type of approach by highlighting the features and benefits of the services that you utilize with your current bank. Explain how they help you become more effective and efficient with your finances to really help your interviewer see that you have the sales type of approach if hired for this position.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"First and foremost, I was very glad to jump onboard the online banking format from its inception. The online format allows me to transfer funds between accounts and even deposit checks remotely without having to take a trip to town to the physical bank. On top of online banking, I definitely use online loan application services as well. I have found them to be super easy and timesaving for me as I imagine they are for your customers."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"I've really found it helpful to have all of my personal finance items with one institution. That includes loans, credit cards and checking accounts. And recently, I've learned to take great advantage of both MMA and CD accounts with my institution. I just really love the ease and convenience of this aspect and would be a great advocate of this for your customers here at Hancock Bank if hired for this role."
12. What is the greatest challenge you have faced in your career so far? How did you overcome it?
How to Answer
Consider sharing a professional challenge or a situation you overcame in school. Hancock Bank wants to hear about the situation and the action you took. Interviewers also want to hear about results. Give an example that demonstrates your perseverance and proactive approach to facing a challenge or conflict.
1st Answer Example
"When I was working for my last company, we had a drastic shift in leadership that required the organization to adapt quickly to new ways of doing things. This required me to tap into my ability to lead change management for my work and my team. To make this process smoother, I scheduled frequent updates with my team, peers, and leadership to ensure all deliverables were being met on time and the transition to new processes was being handled with the utmost professionalism not to impact the level of service our clients received. It was a great learning experience for me and the entire organization."
2nd Answer Example
"The greatest challenge I have faced in my career was the culture of nepotism in my previous position. It is very challenging to overcome morality based difficulties in the workplace while maintaining a positive attitude and keeping motivated. I overcame these feelings by getting to know my co-workers on a more personal level. Making strong connections with others, who were facing the same difficulties as I was, was very helpful."
13. Describe a difficult problem and how you approached it.
How to Answer
Interviewers at Hancock Bank like to see employees coming up with creative solutions. Problem-solving skills are highly regarded within the banking industry. Use an example that explains the complexity of the situation. You can also use the job description as a guide for some of the challenges you could encounter in this new role. Try to keep it relevant and relatable to the position.
1st Answer Example
"I took a client call that had a history of poor customer experiences with the organization. One after another, the customer was left frustrated on our banking processes and voiced their concerns in a manner that was unpleasant. I took the initiative to listen and understand their frustrations, then partnered with the different departments in the company to resolve the concerns and save the customer relationship."
2nd Answer Example
"While attending university, I was assigned a group project with a group of less than motivated individuals. My grades and performance were significant to me, so I approached the group with a leadership and mentorship mentality. I uncovered what motivated everyone on the team and took the initiative where others would not."
14. What interests you about this position?
How to Answer
The interviewer at Hancock Bank wants to learn more about how your educational or professional background led you to apply for this position. Share what you are most looking forward to about the role and how it relates to your previous experience or future goals.
1st Answer Example
"I enjoy problem-solving and helping people. I worked as a customer service representative in a call center for Wells Fargo when I was in college, and the experience motivated me to learn more about how to help my clients by understanding more about investing, saving, and using banking services to meet their needs. I think working as a personal banker will give me a great foundation to start my career within the banking industry."
2nd Answer Example
"It is both the job description and the idea of working for Hancock Bank that has piqued my interest. This role offers the growth and advancement that I have desired for some time now. I especially like that in this position, I would be responsible for A, B, and C. I am ready for those responsibilities in my next position."
15. At Hancock Bank, we value diversity in our customer base and on our team. How do you work effectively with people from different backgrounds ?
How to Answer
In any interview that you experience, a diversity related question is likely to come your way. This is no different at Hancock Bank because in the banking industry, customers will come from all walks of life and you will be required to work with them effectively. To give your interviewer the greatest sense in your answer, talk both about how you value diversity in your personal and professional life and give an example of a time you worked with a diverse team of people and thrived. In the end, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you will join the team at Hancock Bank with an open mind and open heart.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"I am a firm believer that a diverse team and work environment benefits the greater good of the organization by bringing many different perspectives to decision making processes. My first job out of school was with a company that lacked diversity and it really struggled because of lack of new ideas and a lack of value for others. Since that job, I have worked at companies and on teams that were very diverse and I really enjoyed being able to learn and grow from others from different backgrounds than me."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"In my current position, I work with customers from all different nationalities and walks of life. As a very young adult taking this job from a small, non-diverse town, it was intimidating at first to me. But from day one on that job, I've really grown to appreciate and see that connecting with individuals that are different from me is beneficial to society as a whole. If hired in this role, I understand that I would be working with a very diverse customer base and I'd be able to do so in a very empathetic and understanding manner."
16. What is one unique skill that you will bring to our loan processing team here at Hancock Bank?
How to Answer
Throughout your application process and candidate vetting process, you were brought into interview because your interview was confident that you had the basic skills and knowledge required to handle this job. Now, your interviewer is giving you the opportunity to set yourself apart from your competition with this question. As you prepare for this type of question, try to think of a unique skill that you have that can prove to be a big asset if Hancock Bank offers you the job. In your answer, be sure to explain why this skill applies to this role.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"I think the one skill that I have that sets me ahead of the rest running for this position is my experience and success in the world of sales. As you can see from my resume, my career out of college started in auto sales. In my five years of sales, I worked my up from Associate Sales to a Sales Team Lead at my dealership. Getting to know and master the sales side of the business has really helped me on the finance side with overall knowledge of the business and developing the skills needed to upsell customers on their loans."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"As you can see from my experience, I have extensive leadership experience in leading teams of up to 12 employees and I also have remote working experience. Both of these duties have really given me confidence in my decision making abilities. If hired for this position, I would be able to hit the ground running on day one and be trusted with critical decisions where you might not have that ability with other candidates that don't have leadership experience."
17. What are your thoughts on working in a position here at Hancock Bank that had a lot of routine tasks each day?
How to Answer
A position as a Teller with Hancock Bank will entail many job functions that can get repetitive from day to day and your interviewer is looking to hear that you are able to perform these tasks with focus and ease each day that you are required to. As you prepare for and answer this question, be sure to talk about past positions where you've thrived with routine tasks. As well, keep your answers focused on the positive by explaining why these routine tasks are important and how you always pay attention to detail no matter how mundane a task may be.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"I would have to say that I handle routine work very well. In my current role, a majority of my day is handling routine labeling and shipping tasks. By staying in the moment and remaining focused in my work, I ensure that I take all necessary steps each and every time to ensure that my customer's needs are satisfied each and every time. In this role, the customers at Hancock Bank rely on accuracy and timeliness and I would be able to bring that in any duty that I was tasked with."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"For me, an end goal, customer focused approach is important in any work that I do and it is extremely important for very routine tasks. While my current position has a lot of routine tasks that I handle every day and week, understanding why these tasks are important helps me to stay on track and on time with them. If hired to join the team at Hancock Bank, I would make sure that the focus of my orientation would be for me to understand how each job duty positively influences customers that I interact with."
18. Where do you see yourself in five years?
How to Answer
If you are a recent college graduate or starting a new career, you may or may not know where you'd like to be in five years. Hancock Bank wants to see that you think about the future and are actively working towards your goals. Better yet, they want to know how working for them will help you accomplish your goals! Share how this job will help you get one step closer to achieving your goals.
1st Answer Example
"I plan to continue working in the banking industry as a branch manager, working my way up through attending training and participating in your leadership development program. I am excited to start out in ABC position because I am confident that it will help me achieve my goal and broaden my skill set."
2nd Answer Example
"Being in a leadership role is important to me, so I plan to be working in a management based position at Hancock Bank in the future. I will achieve this through continued education and leadership training while also proving my value to you through my everyday work ethic."
19. If a customer at Hancock Bank had increased savings as their main personal financial goal, what steps would you take with them to get them started down the right path?
How to Answer
As you look to interview for a Personal Banker position with Hancock Bank, be sure to expect a question or two that really digs into the technical abilities that you would bring to the position in the form of a hypothetical situation that you will likely face in this role. This question is allowing your interviewer to gain insight into your knowledge of sound financial savings philosophies so be sure to talk about important aspects of a customer's finances that can impact their ability to save. As you answer, express that you would use a logical, yet tailored, approach with each customer in this situation.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"After I had done my due diligence in getting to know the need's of the customer, my first step would be educating them on setting a personal budget that allows for savings. I would take a keen look at their monthly income versus their monthly expenses while also taking into account their variable spending on a monthly basis. Often, by simply doing this, customers are dumbfounded by how much wasteful spending they have going on in their lives. While the customer makes the final decisions on how to best handle, I can use my expertise to help guide them on their savings journey."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"The first and most important step to this process is helping the customer truly see their financial situation by delving into their income and expenses. Based on that analysis, the customer then decides which of the factors of income and expenses can be altered to help increase their savings. From there, I would work with them on the best methods for saving and would take a personalized approach to recommending savings accounts or money market accounts with Hancock Bank."
20. Tell me about your favorite manager. What did you enjoy most about working with them?
How to Answer
Hancock Bank wants to hear what excites you and keeps you motivated in a co-working relationship with your boss. They are interested in your values and want to hear about your experience developing relationships with managers.
1st Answer Example
"I love my current boss because she leads with a collaborative and team-oriented style. We have regular team huddles to provide ongoing communication about process changes or upcoming events."
2nd Answer Example
"My favorite manager was my very first manager when I worked at Company X. She was attentive and spent a lot of time mentoring me. I feel that many of my positive work-based skills and qualities are because of how she interacted with and trained me."
21. What would you do if you saw a colleague breaking company policy? What if they were stealing something as little as $5?
How to Answer
While this may seem like a question with a very obvious answer, your interviewer is looking to hear that you value honesty and integrity in any environment that you work in and that you'll do all you can do to promote that within the team at Hancock Bank. As you answer, talk about ways in which you've shown honesty and integrity in your work while making it clear that you'll do the right thing if confronted with these situations while working at Hancock Bank.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
Answer Example
"In any situation where I saw a colleague being unethical and breaking company policy, I would confront them right away in a professional manner. Using my best judgement, I would escalate it to a manager if necessary and would absolutely do that in the case of theft. Last year, a coworker of mine was excluding necessary steps of our nightly cash counting procedures. While she may have likely still been doing things accurately in the end and just trying to save time, I talked to her about the importance of taking all necessary steps in regard to accuracy. She thanked me for my input and always used our steps from that point forward."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
22. Customer service is the name of our game at Hancock Bank. If hired for this role, how would you be able to provide the best customer service possible to our clients?
How to Answer
While following all of the steps of a mortgage process and handling client inquiries along the way is the foundation to success in this position, you will be relied on to provide the best customer service possible to all clients because the mortgage section at Hancock Bank is just one small piece of the pie in their business. If a client feels like they weren't handled with respect and compassion, they could take all of their business elsewhere and see an impact financially because of it. To show that you can provide top-notch customer service in this role, talk about how you provide a personalized experience for the clients you work with and talk about the interpersonal skills you possess that make this possible.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"With any customer that I work with, I take the time to get to know them and listen to their thoughts, concerns and questions right from the start. I like to hold what I call an intake session to listen to all of these things. After hearing each customer out, I then talk about what I can do to alleviate their concerns and answer their questions right from the start. From that point forward, my customer service skills go the extra mile by staying in constant communication with my clients through either email or phone because I feel that over communication is important right from the start. As human, we have a desire to know what is happening all of the time and I make time to do this for my clients. Last, my customer service starts and ends with a positive attitude and a smile on my face. I take pride in being a front facing representative of my company and work my tail off to ensure that customers know that my company is there for them."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"In my experience, provide the best customer service comes down to doing the little things right. While often overlooked by some in our industry, a smiling face and simple conversations to get to know your customers can go a long way towards building a foundation for a great long-term relationship and I don't take these little things lightly. Even though I may be experiencing a huge workload or stress somewhere else on the job, I am focused and happy when I am face to face or on the phone with the client. At those times, they deserve 100% of my attention and focus and they get that every single time."
23. Suppose you were on the job here at Hancock Bank and a customer came in to complain about a fee charged for an overdrawn account. How would you handle the situation with that customer?
How to Answer
As a Teller with :company, an important job expectation will be for you to handle customers that come to you with issues. While their issues can stem from a majority of reasons, your interviewer wants to know that you have the wherewithal to handle these situations with patience and a sense of calmness. As well, they'll be looking to hear that you have the ability to pull from the resources available to you to help resolve the situation. As you answer the hypothetical question, don't hesitate to draw upon past experiences where you've handled customer issues directly and use your experience in those to help project how you would handle similar situations with Hancock Bank.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"If in this situation on the job here at Hancock Bank, I feel it would be most important to hear the customer out and let them explain their situation. Then, I would talk about the bank's policies on overdrawing accounts and explain that there is no wiggle room within those policies. Most importantly, I would make it my responsibility to connect the customer with any available resources to help them prevent similar situations in the future. This helps the customer know that Hancock Bank cares about their financial well-being and is willing to help them moving forward."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"In my current job, I often have to work with customers face to face when they enter our store with issues and I would take the same approach here that I do with them. First, I listen intently to their complaints and actively listen by explaining to them what I heard. Then I have to use my best judgement at hand to consider how to move forward to resolve their complaint. If the issue was a bad product, I follow our return policies and assist the customer as best as I can. If their issue involves our service, I direct them to the appropriate manager to resolve their situation. If hired for this role, I would work hard from the start to learn the ins and outs of all aspects of Hancock Bank so I could be resourceful in working with customer complaints."
24. Tell me about a time when you showed integrity in your work.
How to Answer
Integrity is best displayed through honesty and consistent moral values. The banking industry relies on employees who are trustworthy and reliable. Give an example that shows how you have demonstrated these qualities in the past.
1st Answer Example
"In my last position, I was responsible for the cash deposit on a daily basis. There was never a discrepancy, in the four years that I worked there. I have proven myself reliable through my consistency, always showing up on time, meeting deadlines, and keeping my word."
2nd Answer Example
"I show integrity in my work in everything that I do. It's important to me that my employer and colleagues see me as trustworthy, with a strong moral compass."
25. Do you have any experience or knowledge in detecting counterfeit cash or checks?
How to Answer
Over the years, the banking and retail industries have had to invest a lot into the detection of fraudulent checks and counterfeit money as fraudsters have become more and more savvy in the making their counterfeit currency look more real. If you don't have direct experience working with the different detection techniques, be sure to do as much research as possible prior to your interview to speak knowledgeably about the different ways money is being counterfeited and the steps banks are taking to counteract it. If you do have knowledge and experience, be sure to talk about they things you've used to help prevent the passing of counterfeit money up to this point in your career.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"During my time working as a cashier in high school, I have used the counterfeit pen for bills that were $20, $50 and $100. As well, I have received briefing on new currency when it is released, like the new bills with the holographs in them. If hired for this role, I'd look forward to being trained and learning more about the advancements in counterfeiting and how this role would help negate that."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"While I don't have hands on experience handling cash or check transactions in my prior work, I am familiar with the ways that the treasury department is marking bills now to prevent counterfeiting. I would know how to look for specific watermarks on each bill, the raised printing and the color-shifting ink on the numerals in the lower right corner. If hired on the team here at Hancock Bank, I would want to learn more about fraudulent checks and what measures I would need to put in place in this role to help ensure that none passed through my hands."
26. What do you know about our services here at Hancock Bank and why do you feel we'd be a great place to work?
How to Answer
With this question, your interviewer is looking to see that you have done your prep work and research on the company for this interview while also looking to hear why you feel they are set apart from their competition in the banking industry. Most banks have very similar operating structures and company cultures, so be sure that you try to differentiate Hancock Bank from their competitors in your answer. If possible, try to relate your answer to the organization's mission statement and or core values that would be found on their website.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"As a well known and reputable bank, I have heard from many friends and family members that your checking, savings and loan services are top notch. As I researched a great place to begin a career as a Taller, I was really attracted to your core values of making a difference and taking ownership. As a person that has the desire to be emotionally invested into my work, these are two things that I hold near and dear to my heart as well. If given the chance to join the team here at Hancock Bank, I would give it my all to e accountable to your customers in making a small difference in their day."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"What I really love about Hancock Bank and what draw me this role here is your commitment to community service and being an advocate for the lower income class of our society. Many people with lower income and poor credit are often not given the same financial opportunities as others and I really feel great about the things that you do to be better for them. As well, I am firmly rooted in community service and would be all in with these efforts if given the opportunity to join the team here at Hancock Bank."
27. If hired for this role with Hancock Bank, how would you handle a large workload of clients working through a mortgage process?
How to Answer
At the heart of this question, your interviewer is looking to find out how you manage a busy workload by having you talk about your organization skills on the job. In your answer, talk about the skills you have and the tools that you use to stay organized and on-track while handling a large workload. Don't hesitate to talk about the software programs that you use and any other tactics that you use to ensure that all deadlines are met and no issues occur with clients because of too large of a workload. In the end, your interviewer wants to walk away from this question knowing that you'll be able to provide top notch service to the clients of Hancock Bank.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"In my current role, I'm able to handle a very large workload with my ability to stay organized on the job. If you could take a tour of my office, you'd see that I maintain a neat and clean desk with a very organized file cabinet of my current workload. If I need to shift gears and move on to work with another client, I can easily access information on the fly and keep moving. I also utilize my Outlook calendar to set deadline reminders to stay on track of closing deadlines and paperwork requirements and the tasks function within the program helps me stay right on track with all of my clients I am working with at a given time."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 18th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"During my time working a large client load as a mortgage consultant, my success was due to my efficiency and organization on the job. If hired for this role with Hancock Bank, my efficiency would be very high because of my experience with the entire mortgage loan closing process and my ability to handle certain challenges quickly with that experience. From there, my organizational skills within the loan process software I have experience with kick in to help me keep each client on track with their loan process."