27 Handelsbanken Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Handelsbanken interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?
How to Answer
Some great qualities of a manager are:
- Being someone who people naturally want to follow
- Exceptional interpersonal skills
- Strong relationship building skills
- Taking ownership for the team's errors and mistakes
- Excelling at motivating others
- Providing kudos/recognition to your team
- Knowing how to select and hire the right people to join the team
- Having a vision for the future
These are just a few to get started!
Answer Example
"I feel that a successful manager should be patient, strive to be a mentor, and be willing to receive constructive feedback from their team. As a manager, I want to have a team that trusts me and comes to me for professional development and coaching."
2. If hired for this role at Handelsbanken, how would you help make sound investment decisions for our clients?
How to Answer
While certainly an open ended question for you to run with, your interviewer is really looking to get a sense that you are resourceful in your decision making processes and that you don't rely too heavy on quantitative or qualitative information to make decisions. In your answer, talk about the sound use of data while also relying on your experience and judgement to help in your decision making processes. As well, if you are open and experienced in a team based approach among fellow colleagues, talk about that as well.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"In my current role, we have a great team that considers many factors in our investment decisions for our clients. Our engineers have developed mathematical models that gauge the markets and their propensity to shift over time. We have a team of market experts that rely on the new and current times to predict future fluctuations. As the Portfolio Managers, we weigh information from all of these teams to make decisions moving forward and this allows for the greatest confidence in our overall decisions."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"While all of our decisions for our clients are based on assumptions, my experience has taught me to weigh in many different factors when making investment decisions. Looking at historical data to predict futures carries some weight and can be accurate at times, but having firsthand knowledge of different businesses and industries like I do helps put that historical data into perspective when trying to predict the future. If hired for this position at Handelsbanken, I'll have that ability to make the best decisions possible for your clients."
3. At Handelsbanken, we pride ourselves on providing the best overall customer experience. Talk about your customer service experience and explain why it will help our clients here.
How to Answer
In the financial services industry, overall client experience is a major predictor of business growth and the team at Handelsbanken takes the overall client experience seriously. For this question, your interviewer will be looking for you to expand upon your customer service experience past what they can see from your resume. To seal the deal for your interview, try to talk about times that you have went above and beyond the call of duty to provide the best service possible for a customer.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"Over the past five years in my current role in customer service, my number one mantra has been to create the most personalized experience possibl for each person. I have done this by taking the time to get to know the customer, find out what their needs are and creating an experience unique to them. Where my time in automotive sales has really prepared for this role with Handelsbanken is in this approach. If hired for this role, I know that I will be relied upon to use open and honest communication skills, time management skills and to take a empathetic and personalized approach with each client and I can definitely be relied upon to do that."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"In my years in a front facing customer service role, I've prided myself on being the face of the franchise. More often than not, my interactions with customers can be the difference between a repeat customer and a person who never comes back again. To ensure repeat customers, I make sure that I am knowledgeable about our products and services, I'm proactive with their needs and I'm always accountable for any mistakes that are made on my organization's side of things. If given the opportunity to join the team here at Handelsbanken, I will work hard to be highly educated in your services and be proactive and accountable in every interaction that I have."
4. 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 Handelsbanken 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 December 5th, 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 December 5th, 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."
5. What is one unique skill that you will bring to our loan processing team here at Handelsbanken?
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 Handelsbanken offers you the job. In your answer, be sure to explain why this skill applies to this role.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 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 December 5th, 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."
6. 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 December 5th, 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 December 5th, 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."
7. We pride ourselves on our interdepartmental teamwork here at Handelsbanken. If hired for this role, what kind of team player could we expect you to be?
How to Answer
In the financial world, teamwork at an organization is the key to success and life at Handelsbanken is no different. As you talk about your abilities and experiences in being a great team player, try to highlight certain themes like building trust, gaining respect and being a subject matter expert as part of a larger team. Don't hesitate to show flexibility in your ability to both lead others and be lead by others and use examples of times that you've done both. To seal your answer for this question, talk about your desire to work as part of a team and do your research on this position to find out what types of colleagues you will be working with.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"My colleagues that I work closely with would tell you that I'm knowledgeable in my area of expertise to contribute to the much larger team and do so without hesitation. As well, I'm able to communicate effectively, take direction and run with when needed and always willing to help out other areas if I have free time. I understand that I would be working very closely with the Advising staff here at Handelsbanken and know that they would have high expectations out of my work."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"I prefer to work in an environment that promotes teamwork and collegiality. If I were fortunate enough to join the team here, I want you to know that I love being in a leadership type role on a team where I can delegate work and help train others to better the organization. As well, I also thrive in a role where I am the minion and taking direction from others. I'd say that my key skills in working as a team are my ability to friendly, honest and trustworthy with my team."
8. On the finance side of Handelsbanken, 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 Handelsbanken. 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 December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"Knowing that the main goal of Handelsbanken 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 December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"I would fully expect that a good part of my orientation process into this role at Handelsbanken 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."
9. Here at Handelsbanken, we are expecting someone with strong leadership skills to take this role. How would you describe your management style?
How to Answer
Prior to your interview, try to take a long, hard look inside your skills and styles as a leader of others and prepare to present the best management style possible to your interviewer that fits the role that you are interviewing for with Handelsbanken. Your answer should also involve solid research into the culture of Handelsbanken and the details of the role you are interviewing for. Some important things to touch on are your ability to promote a team atmosphere and your ability to delegate responsibilities when necessary.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"My overall management style is the belief in building a positive team atmosphere. I'm a firm believer that each person and role brings a specific skill set to the ocverall goals and purpose of a team and I promote a team based atmosphere by larifying everyone's role on the team, keeping every person's objectives clear, rewarding great performers on the team and holding people accountable for their actions. If hired for this role at Handelsbanken, you can be assured that my promotion of a team based atmosphere would help achieve even higher goals than you have set right now."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"I think that it is crucial for a leader of others to be flexible in their style rather than relying on just one of the canned management styles. I'd like to highlight my abilities to lead as being a manager that works to grow and develop my staff to help them achieve their career goals and a leader who is able to provide direction and authority when the time for it arises. By knowing my team well and promoting our goals, I have the ability to assign work to the right people and follow through with my team on meeting all objective necessary."
10. The clients of a financial firm like Handelsbanken can display an arrange of emotions when they work with our Client Services team. How would you handle a situation where a client was very angry?
How to Answer
Whether due to a large amount of money lost on the market or a client feels they were ill-advised by an Advisor, your job as a Client Services Representative will at some point or another deal with a very angry client. For this answer, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you do what is necessary to stay calm and stay focused on finding a resolution. If possible, use a specific example of a time you had to do exactly this and explain how effective communication was critical in making the situation right for the client.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"As you can see from my resume, I've spent the last three years in customer service relations for a large insurance company. As you can imagine, a large majority of my customer interactions were with upset customers. I've been called names that I can't repeat here in this interview and my key to working through these situations was to remain calm and not take things personally. Like the financial world, the insurance business is a very life altering experience and a loss or damage to an item is very stressful. I tried to put myself in the customers shoes, see things from their perspective and do my best to ease their situation. In this role with Handelsbanken, these same skills would be vital for me to find solutions or the right person to talk to if needed."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"First and foremost, an active listening approach is the first step to lowering the tension from an angry customer. A couple of months ago, we had a very angry customer come onsite to complain about a defective product that cut his hand pretty badly. The customer came onsite to complain even before receiving emergency care, which was apparent that he needed. First, I let him release his anger and it was not a pretty sight. Then I calmly repeated back what he had said and then explained what our policy allowed me to do at that time. Looking back, my sincere approach and calm demeanor helped calm him down and later that day, my manager had a formal complaint sent to the manufacturer and we were assured that they'd be in contact with the customer."
11. If hired for this role with Handelsbanken, 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 Handelsbanken.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 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 December 5th, 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 Handelsbanken, 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."
12. If you joined the team here at Handelsbanken, how would you build relationships with those that you would be working closely with?
How to Answer
For this question, your interviewer will be looking to get the sense that you would be proactive about getting to know your colleagues and fitting into the culture of the organization. Use a personal approach to talk about ways that you have done this in the past and how you would do it if hired for this position. Talk about the importance of relationship building in your line of work and how it helps the overall good of the organization if you take the initiative to do this.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"From my first day on the job, I would take the time to break the ice with my colleagues by introducing myself and setting up an individual meeting with each person. In the past, I've done these meetings over lunch or in an office where I've had questions prepared for me to get to know the person both personally and professionally. I want to ask my colleagues what they expect from me and what I can expect from them. I've found that these conversations really help to open up doors for working with each other moving forward."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"Being the new person on the job can be a very high anxiety time for some people, but I love the opportunity to break the ice with my coworkers by making that first contact. I think it's important to get to know each other on a personal level because we spend so much of our lives together in the workplace and I am a caring person that wants to know how last night's soccer game went for the kids. Beyond that first ice breaking conversation, my work relationships are then bonded through my work ethic and helping others on my team to show that I am a true team player."
13. Accuracy is important to us at Handelsbanken. Do you always double check or proofread your work?
How to Answer
Double checking and proofreading are essential parts of a job well done. Assure the interviewer that you are diligent when it comes to submitting good, clean, work.
1st Answer Example
"Spelling and grammatical errors are a pet peeve of mine. I will triple check my work if there is time! I feel that it is imperative to submit error-free work."
2nd Answer Example
"I do my best to put great work out, at all times. I believe in double checking my work although I must admit that I have fallen victim to the odd mistake like the best of us!"
14. What software programs do you use in your current work and how adaptable would you say that you are in learning and using new programs?
How to Answer
Overall, your interviewer is simply looking to hear that you have a good grasp on programs to use to make you more efficient in your work and to do this, talk open and honestly about the programs that you currently use and talk about in what context that you use them. If at all possible with this role, try to research what additional programs you may have to learn if given this opportunity to join Handelsbanken and reassure your interviewer that your computer skills are fluent enough to pickup quickly if needed.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"In my current role, I currently use a program called Zendesk that is an interactive customer support tool. When we started to use this tool a little over a year ago, I was very quick to learn and utilize all of the great functions of the program and have since become a trainer for new staff that join our team. As well, I'm very fluent in the entire Microsoft suite of products and would consider myself an expert on the Outlook, Excel and Word programs."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"I consider myself very agile when it comes to using and appreciating the vast amount of software that is available to Financial Advisors today. In my current role, I solely use RightCapital as a financial advising tool with my clients. I really love its ability to help in the budgeting and comprehensive planning processes with my clients. I'm also very familiar with the MoneyGuidePro tool and have used it successfully in the past. If hired for this role, you can consider me an open book when it comes to learning and effectively utilizing any programs needed."
15. How long will it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our team at Handelsbanken?
How to Answer
If you were to be the successful candidate with Handelsbanken, when do you expect to make a viable contribution to the organization? Talk to the interviewer about your plan to make a fast impact.
1st Answer Example
"I am interested in making an impact on your organization right away and have already crafted a plan to make that happen. I am a very strong business development professional and I plan to take the territory and expand it to include additional rural areas. This should amount to a strong increase in revenue within the first 9 months of my on boarding."
2nd Answer Example
"My plan, if hired by Handelsbanken, is to make an impact as soon as possible. I have researched this position and am very eager so I have created a 90 day impact plan that I would like to share with you."
16. Think back over your career up to today and tell me about the most difficult day on the job you encountered. What made the day difficult and how did you handle that situation?
How to Answer
We've all had our share of difficult days on the job and how we handle those days in particular can really make or break where our careers go in that position or with that company. Think of a particular day ahead of your interview that really outlines your ability to handle adversity and proves that you were able to handle it with grace rather than turning your uniform in and heading home for the day. Another important piece of your answer should be discussing what lessons you learned from that particular day moving forward that you still carry with you to this day.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"It's funny that you ask this question because I can honestly say that my worst day on the job happened just a few short weeks ago. Upon arriving to work in the morning, I quickly learned that our entire network was down and we wouldn't be able to work within our CRM or other programs that day. Many of my coworkers were visibly upset and questioning how we would be able to do our jobs that day. Rather than joining the crowd and freaking out about the situation, I huddled our group together to talk about solutions to the workday after we found out that the network likely wouldn't be fully up and running until late afternoon. While some colleagues carelessly went home for the day, I helped brainstorm how we could keep our phone lines open and my boss was very grateful for my efforts that day. Looking back, what made this the most difficult for me was seeing how others responded so negatively over an issue that we had no control over."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"Early in my career, I had a day where my entire office came down with the flu and I was left alone with the receptionist for the day. Being trained and working Financial Advisor, my colleagues also handled market analysis, retirement plans and insurance plans. At first, the receptionist and I went about our business. After being flooded with calls and in-person visits into our office, we connected again to talk about a plan moving forward. We discussed what types of calls she could handle and which ones I would handle and she triaged from there. I made contacted with my personal clients I had scheduled that day to reschedule and we worked well from there. If I couldn't answer a question for a client of one my colleagues, I ensured they knew that my colleague would follow up as soon as possible. Looking back, I learned that on days where you have to break routine like we did then that it was important to make a plan as early in the day as possible."
17. The day-to-day life at Handelsbanken can be hectic and stressful at times. If hired for this role, how would you keep yourself motivated when working with stressed colleagues and pushy clients?
How to Answer
The daily life at Handelsbanken is naturally very fast paced and because of that, both the colleagues and the clients that you may be working with have potential to be stressed, needy and downright mean at times. For this question, your interviewer is looking to get a sense that you would be able to work in this type of environment. In your answer, talk about the fact that you are cognizant of what this job entails as far as personal interactions go and talk about times where you have worked successfully through situations like this in the past. As well, don't hesitate to talk about your own personality traits that help you thrive in these types of situations.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"Being a person that thrives in a fast paced work environment, I have the ability to handle stressed colleagues with a grain of salt. As you can see from my resume, I've spent the last five years in the manufacturing industry where my department worked under tight deadlines all of the time. If I noticed that a colleague was under stress, I offered my help if I was able to and down the road that was usually reciprocated back to me. This unselfish attitude and realizing that someone else's stress wasn't directed at me was the key to maintaining personal health and balance on the job."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"In my current role in client services with a large hospitality group, some days can go off the rails and it feels like I'm working with enraged customers all day long. I have the attitude that their anger isn't directed towards me, but I'm the face of the company that they are currently working with and I need to do my job in helping solve their issue. While I do have great resources at my hand to help solve customer issues, I think that taking the time to get to know all of our management team and how they solve problems is key as well so I know who to put customers in touch with if needed."
18. Why would our clients here at Handelsbanken want you to be their financial advisor?
How to Answer
As a professional in financial advising, you know that relationships are built on trust and integrity and for the business at Handelsbanken, this is equally important. For your answer, your interviewer will be looking how to hear how you build trust with your clients to ensure that they are customers for life. In your answer, make sure that trust and integrity are common themes as you discuss how you work with each client's individual needs to build their portfolio.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"Looking back on my career to this point, I can say with confidence that my success, and the success of my clients, has been due to my ability to build trusting relationships. My path for building a trusting relationship consists of education, communication and action. I educate each client on a personal level, I set expectations for them and deliver on what I say I'm going to do. If hired for this position here at Handelsbanken, you'll be hiring a Financial Advisor that will be great at bringing aboard new clients as I have many current clients that I am confident will follow me here."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"Like in any financial advising relationship, confidentiality and integrity are of utmost importance to clients and these are pieces of the relationships with my clients that I hold in the highest regard. My clients know that I can be trusted to safeguard their personal information and use the best resources possible to help make the best decisions for them based on their personal information and situation. I pride myself on the fact that my clients trust me with their personal information and your clients will have this trust in me as well if I'm hired for this position."
19. We want our advising team at Handelsbanken to be happy and healthy. How do you manage the day to day stress of being a financial advisor?
How to Answer
The daily stressors of a career in financial advising can be burdensome, overwhelming and lead to burnout on the job. To get a sense that you can handle stress in a safe and healthy manner and be able to come to work each day with a clean slate, your interviewer is looking to delve into your personal life a bit to see how you manage stress. When answering, you can certainly talk about the things you do on the job to keep as stress free as possible, but also be sure to talk about the things that you do outside of work to avoid burnout. Point out that you have the resources and ability to care for yourself to keep you at the top of your game on the job.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"To begin with on the job, I consider myself very excellent at handling stress. Being a goal oriented person, I find happiness in obtaining goals and consider any necessary stresses in pursuit of a goal healthy. Outside of work, I am a very active person that trains for marathons and spends a lot of time outdoors with my family. I find that these activities help cleanse my mind and heal my body to prepare for a new week on the job."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"When I maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly and spend as much time as possible outside of work with my children, any unnecessary work stresses are put on the back burner and often relieved immediately. I'm a firm believer in a healthy work-life balance, even though it can be very tough to do in our field. Having the ability to answer a client email or phone call during off hours while unwinding has made our work lives better as well."
20. Our customers rely on our services outside of normal business hours. Are you able to work a flexible schedule if hired for this position?
How to Answer
Because financial clients can be in need outside of the standard 9-5 business hours, this position with Handelsbanken may require the need for you to be flexible with your schedule to accommodate the business needs of the position. Prior to applying for the position, Handelsbanken should have posted the expected hours for position for you to have an idea of what will be expected. When answering this question, it is best to be open and honest about what particular needs that you have for expected work hours. As well, it is acceptable to ask follow up questions regarding the work schedule if you need further clarification.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"I am able to work a pretty flexible work schedule and have been used to doing this in my current role for the past six years. If I understand the expected hours for this position correctly, it sounds like the standard hours will be 8:00am to 5:00pm on most days with a rotating schedule to help cover evening hours up until 8:00pm and some rotating Saturday coverage as well. Is this correct?"
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"Having worked a flexible schedule that included early morning hours and hours into the evening, I am very open to a flexible schedule for this position. The only clarification I would need is how a schedule is determined and when I would find out about upcoming schedules if hired for this position. We do have a young child that we would need to plan daycare schedules for and so my spouse and I could coordinate pick ups and drop offs from daycare. Can you shed light on how scheduling works for this position?"
21. How do you believe your coworkers would describe you?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know how you are seen by your colleagues. Select approximately three words that truly define who you are. Be sure to choose words that radiate positive thoughts!
1st Answer Example
"I believe that my coworkers, if asked, would describe me as a reliable person who is always ready to submit the best work possible. My work ethic has never been questioned, and I am very proud with the work that I have submitted in my career, so far."
2nd Answer Example
"Here are some other great keywords you could use:
- Encouraging
- Caring
- Knowledgeable
- Reliable
- Focused
- Honest
- Assertive
- Tenacious
- Motivated
- Ambitions
- Conscientious"
22. Handelsbanken strives for client loyalty to keep us running strong into the future. What do you feel are the keys to retaining clients for the long haul?
How to Answer
Businesses in financial advising are constantly pushing the limits to ensure that they retain clients and Handelsbanken doesn't take client retention lightly. One slip up and a high profile client will be taking their business to a competitor. For this question, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you understand your role in the customer retention equation and how you take pride in that in your everyday work. Make sure to hit on the point that doing the small things, like prompt communication and follow up, go a long way towards keeping clients happy.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"I learned a few very important things from a senior mentor early in my career that I still hold near and dear to my heart to this day. First, clients expect me to be responsive to their needs to ensure that they keep their business with me. Because of this, I return phone calls and emails as soon as I can, even if that means in the evening, the early morning or on a Sunday afternoon. These small actions go a long way in showing my clients that I care. Another key to the success of my long-term clients is my ability to set and manage expectations for them. Clients desire to have a plan and know what that plan entails and I pride myself on my ability to work with them to set goals and a plan to achieve those goals."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"Having lost clients in the past that went to another firm, I take that pain personally and do everything I can do to ensure long lasting relationships with my clients. For me, the first key to long term success with my clients is a proactive approach. I don't wait for clients to get in touch with me to make changes to their portfolio, I reach out to them. This action alone shows my clients that I am working for their best interest. Another action I take that shows my worth to my clients are goal tracking and quarterly progress reports that I send out to them. This is particularly helpful for clients that are working with me in their first two years."
23. If you were having an interaction with a client here at Handelsbanken and you weren't able to answer their question or solve their problem on your own, how would you handle that situation?
How to Answer
As the forward facing client services representative with Handelsbanken, you may be asked serious financial or market related questions that either don't know or aren't qualified to answer. In those situations, you will be expected to explain to the customer how that question will be answered and then deliver a timeline on when it can be answered. In the end, the customer wants to know the clear path to ease their mind and it will be your job to do just that.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"In my current role in Customer Service with Metropolis' largest automotive dealership, I frequently get asked questions that our sales, finance and service staff have to give the final stamp of approval on in answering customers questions. In these situations, I have a great amount of knowledge where I can prepare the customer for speaking with the right person while also ensuring them that the sales, finance or service staff will provide the final answer. Then, I work quickly to get them to the right person."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"In a situation where I didn't know an answer, I would ensure the client that we have the right staff in place that would be able to help them quickly and efficiently. I would communicate to the customer what the next step would be and if that would be me putting them directly in contact with someone or me taking their contact information and having someone get back to them. In the end, setting the right course and timeline would be important for every customer when I faced this situation."
24. What types of compensation structures have you worked under in the past and do you have any expectations for this role with Handelsbanken?
How to Answer
Compensation for Financial Advisors can vary from a straight salary, straight commission, salary plus bonus or a fee-only structure. You can speak openly and honestly to your interview about the types of compensation you have received throughout your career up to this point, but it is always important to do your research on Handelsbanken and how they pay their advisors when you elaborate on the compensation model that suits you best. In the end, it is important to match your expectations with the compensation structure of Handelsbanken.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"In the current role that I have been in since graduating from college, I started on a base salary for three years guaranteed that also had a bonus structure tied in for performance. At the the end of the three year base salary period, I was moved to a straight commission and have been on that for almost five years now. I am very confident in my ability to be a high performing advisor on commissions and bonuses and find that I have a very high motivation to succeed in this atmosphere."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"As an experience advisor that has spent time working with a large firm, a small independent firm and being self-employed, I have worked on pretty much every pay structure possible for our profession. At the point that I am at in my career with an aging family and grandchildren on the way, a salary plus bonus structure is what I'm seeking during my job search. From what I understand about this position, the compensation you are offering falls within those parameters. Are you able to expand on the bonus structure so I have a better understanding of how it works?"
25. If hired to this role here at Handelsbanken, what do you see as one initial hurdle you will have to overcome in your first weeks on the job?
How to Answer
At the heart of this question, your interviewer is asking you to take an honest look inside of yourself to discuss what you feel is the biggest learning curve you will have if offered this position. This will give your interviewer a sense of how to handle your onboarding process if hired for the position and give them a sense that you have the ability to see what your biggest need would be. Similar to the what is your greatest weakness question, the key to answering this question is humbly pointing out a flaw that you may see and making a plan for how you will overcome that flaw.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"Having put a lot of thought into this even before submitting my resume for this position, I realize that my greatest hurdle would be making the leap as an Auditor into the financial focused industry. My five years of experience out of college have been focused on management and technical consulting services, but I feel that I've built a very good knowledge base and experience for this role here at Handelsbanken. If given the opportunity to join your team, my initial focus would be to get enthralled in auditing in the financial industry and I'd do this by being attached at the hip to my colleagues and taking the time to talk one on one with a lot of other staff to help better understand what they'll expect of me in this role."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"Understanding that my role here at Handelsbanken would have me working with the entire advisory staff, the first hurdle would be getting to know everyone on that team and showcasing the skills that I could bring to their work. If hired for the job, I would hope to be invited to team meetings where I could introduce myself and my role with the team and I'd invite an open conversation with the entire team."
26. Talk about your experience in mortgage loan closing. How would this experience be beneficial to our team here at Handelsbanken?
How to Answer
As a Loan Consultant with Handelsbanken, you will be tasked with guiding clients through the complete mortgage process. This will include seeking the best funds available, completing paperwork and seeing the loan through to closing for them. For this question, your interviewer can a good sense of your experience by taking a look at your resume, but they're looking to get more details on your mortgage closing experience by having you talk in detail. Be sure to discuss your specific experience and tie what you can to this specific role with Handelsbanken.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"As you can see from my resume, my current role involves a lot of detail in the loan closing process for the customers that I work with. I assemble and prepare closing documents and coordinate the details of the closing process when all terms of the sale are met. In this role with Handelsbanken, I think that my hands on approach that I currently take with my customers would suit your clients well because I take the time to work with them one-on-one and never hesitate to provide top notch customer service to any person that I'm working with."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"Having been in the mortgage business for over ten years, I have a vast amount of experience in seeking personalized mortgage options for clients and walking them through the entire loan process. I am familiar with the processing of necessary loan closing documents in several state and know all of the fine details that are required to ensure that there are no hiccups in the process for clients. This experience would allow me to hit the ground running in this role here at Handelsbanken."
27. One huge philosophy that we believe in at Handelsbanken is professional development. How have you worked to develop yourself professionally throughout your career?
How to Answer
In an ever-changing field like financial services, Handelsbanken knows that professional growth and development is vital to them staying at the forefront of their industry. For this question, your interviewer is looking to ensure that your values surrounding professional development match the values of the company. Use this question as an opportunity for you to highlight the many ways that you grow and develop yourself to be the best that you can be in your career. Highlight any continuing education you have completed, any societies or groups that you belong to and any publications that you read on a regular basis that will prove to your interviewer that you aren't comfortable being stagnant in your career.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"I am a firm believer in being a life long learner in my work as a Data Analyst. As technology and times have changed over the course of time, I see it as very important to be learning and changing along with the times. Just over the past two years, the Data Fest and Data Summit national conferences and participation in these events on a yearly basis is super important to me to help me grow and develop."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 5th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"In the financial field, I have to stay at the top of my game to compete with other advisors and keep clients happy and flourishing. To do this, I subscribe to and read many of the great publications that are out there. Some of my favorites include the Wall Street Journal, Money magazine and Forbes. I also subscribe to many others. As well, I am a member of NAIFA and I have attended the organization's Congressional Conference on a few occasions."