JPMorgan Chase HireVue Interview Questions & Answers

Below is a list of our JPMorgan Chase 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.

Table of Contents

1. Accomplishment Questions
2. Behavioral Questions
3. Career Goals Questions
4. Communication Questions
5. Compatibility Questions
6. Competency Questions
7. Conflict Questions
8. Diversity Questions
9. EQ Questions
10. Experience Questions
11. Job Satisfaction Questions
12. Leadership Questions
13. Organizational Questions
14. Problem Solving Questions
15. Stress Questions
16. Teamwork Questions

Accomplishment

1. What's your biggest achievement?

The Goal

This question aims to assess your work ethic, career goals, what motivates you in your work, and how you'd fit into the culture of their brand. Break down for them what success means to you. Display that your idea of success is more than crossing your daily responsibilities off your list and that you keep your eye on the big picture across short-term goals and long-term goals. Explain how you scale your sense of accomplishment toward your goals.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

HireVue uses proprietary machine-learning algorithms that record your video interview and analyze your facial expressions, eye movements, body movements, clothing details, and vocal inflections. It evaluates those data points, examining the consistency between your answers, your level of honesty, and indications of your confidence in your statements. These will then be used to determine your experience level and to predict your future job performance. That information, with the recorded interviews, is passed on to the company's hiring authority for further study.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Answer Example

"It may sound corny, but my biggest achievement was getting to the point in my career where I felt I had overcome all the milestones and gained the skills necessary to compete for this position. That we are here right now means that I have achieved all the goals required in my five-year plan to have gotten me to this point in time. I've never reached this point before, so in all honesty, this is my greatest achievement to date, from a big-picture point of view."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"My biggest achievement is my mindset, as it is the engine that keeps me moving forward, content but never satisfied. For specificity, I will bring to the table two examples. My first is when I founded and co-founded two separate organizations here on West Chester Campus simultaneously; Chess Club and Greek Club. I overcame every obstacle and delegated responsibilities to peers when needed."

Marcie's Feedback

Consider restructuring your answer so that you begin by stating that your biggest achievement was founding/co-founding the two groups on campus. Then go into why this was such a big accomplishment for you and how your mindset played a role in achieving this. Also, make sure to connect this achievement to the role; explain how you'll also take the initiative, overcome obstacles, and delegate to others within the company. Good job!

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Anonymous Answer

"As corny as this one may sound it's getting to this point, and receiving the opportunity to intern at such an incredible company. Last spring I made the dean's list for the first time, started my first college job, and started a small but mighty social media marketing agency. Despite my full plate I remained resilient, showed operational excellence, and now I'm here. It's a factor and I'm proud of it."

Krista's Feedback

Great answer! It sounds like you have a lot to be proud of.

Anonymous Answer

"My most significant achievement thus far is undoubtedly my graduation with honors in Economics and Business, all while working part-time to provide financial support to my family. From a young age, I've been driven to foster my independence. I began by tutoring high school students in Mathematics, English, and Spanish. During summers, I took on the responsibilities of a lifeguard and a teacher's assistant at a swimming pool. My journey also led me to work as a waiter and later as a receptionist at a hotel.
During that period, I hardly had a spare moment to myself, as I was constantly either working or studying. What makes this achievement truly remarkable to me is the art of self-time management and the sacrifices I made to pursue my education while working every day. These experiences instilled in me a profound work ethic and a strong sense of responsibility, teaching me the values of perseverance and resilience.
Excellence has always been a paramount principle in my life. Amidst the myriad of responsibilities, I always aimed to excel academically and in the workplace, regardless of the job I held. This journey solidified in me the significance of clear prioritization and illuminated the fact that even the most daunting challenges can be overcome through small, consistent steps."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is something to be proud of! Good job highlighting your skills and characteristics that would add value to the JPMorgan Chase team. Just be mindful of the length of your answer and the duration of your interview. For example, if your interview is a half hour or less, try to keep your response here to around one minute.

Anonymous Answer

"My most recent biggest achievement would be graduating and getting into graduate school. When I was a freshman in college, graduating seemed so far away and unachievable in a way. Looking back, seeing how much I grew personally and professionally gives me a sense of achievement and satisfaction. I hope to always look back in time as I grow older and be satisfied with how much I have grown."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is a great accomplishment to share with the interviewer! Can you share your GPA or any other academic honors or achievements you earned? What traits and qualities do you feel contributed to your success?

Behavioral

2. Tell us about yourself.

The Goal

Before the interview, compose a capsule bio. This typically consists of about 200 words and is a brief description of your life and career journey relevant to the position. Include personal information such as where you were raised, how your parents or mentors influenced you through your upbringing, any educational and professional achievements, and why you are here today. Rehearse it, ensuring you come across as relaxed, interesting, and relatable.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

This question is used as an icebreaker to get you out of interview mode. Asking a more informal question will more likely result in a sincere answer. The algorithm will use such questions to establish when you are being true to yourself. It will contrast what it may perceive as your genuine personality against your more reserved and performative answers.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Answer Example

"I come from a little town called Valley City, ND. As soon as I started touring colleges, I toured campuses out of state. I wanted to get off on a fresh start when I launched my career. I come from a long line of self-starters. My great-grandparents were pioneers from Norway who pursued the American dream. There is opportunity in this country, but pursuing it isn't easy. It takes determination, turning failure into success, and finding a way to walk around walls rather than climb them. My determination is my passion. I'm passionate about setting goals and accomplishing them."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Firstly, I was born in York, Pennsylvania in an upper-middle-class household. My mother came from a line of successful business owners, while my father is a 2nd generation immigrant who worked all his life to become extremely successful via a blue-collar line of work. It was in seeing these two different perspectives that I gained the work ethic from my father and the "book smarts" from my mother."

Marcie's Feedback

Interesting! Your answer is a great start but make sure to continue by talking about all the experience, skills, qualities, and education you bring to the table outside of your work ethic and book smarts. You undoubtedly have a lot more to offer the company. Don't be bashful; talk about it! Nice job!

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Anonymous Answer

"I come from Los Angeles, CA. I considered an easy college student life, staying home. When I toured Ohio State I realized that I cannot be afraid of change and adaptation. My mom came from Tanzania at 13, alone. My dad moved from a dangerous Baltimore neighborhood at 17 alone. My family has raised me to be fearless, and determined. I embrace discomfort and because of that my adaptability is my strength."

Krista's Feedback

This is a great response, showing a lot of family resilience which has undoubtedly been passed down to you. I would expand on this, briefly describing how you got to this point in your career and your future goals with JPMorgan Chase.

Anonymous Answer

"I grew up in rural Alaska, although I recently moved to the lower '48. I love learning new things and originally chose to major in computer science because I knew the field would never stagnate. My parents are entrepreneurs who are never afraid to take on a challenge, such as moving to the middle of nowhere in Alaska. I like to think I've gotten that personality trait from them. I'm always excited for a challenge, whether it be a tricky coding problem or a new concept in machine learning."

Jaymie's Feedback

You're off to a great start! Consider speaking more about your education and work experience, and that will balance out your answer nicely.

Anonymous Answer

"I am from Palisades Park, NJ, and I recently graduated this year from Rutgers University and obtained my Bachelor's in Psychology. I was greatly passionate about the mental health field and decided to pursue an advanced degree. I am currently a part of Columbia University’s Masters of Social Work Program. However, I decided to take a leave of absence. I believe I rushed into things a bit too quickly without experimenting with other fields. I graduated from Rutgers a year earlier and went straight to grad school. I never took a break from schooling and decided that I should try dipping my toes into other fields.

I recently gained great interest in the business field as I tried opening up an Etsy shop, and this process was difficult yet exciting and intriguing. That was when I became very interested in the behind-the-scenes of businesses, the process, analysis, product management, and project-based strategy. I wanted to learn more and gain hands-on experience in the process of creating and maintaining a successful business such as JP Morgan."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is a nice overview of your background, education, and what brought you to the interview with JPMorgan Chase. Good job!

Behavioral

3. What would you consider your greatest weakness?

The Goal

This question evaluates your emotional maturity by looking for signs of defensiveness or stress behavior. How you answer will offer insight into your self-awareness and whether you identify your weaknesses and growth opportunities. Frame your greatest weakness as an asset in its own right while being open and honest about your shortcomings. Convey that you actively pursue professional self-growth. As they state on their site, "Have fortitude. Have a fierce resolve in everything you do. Demonstrate determination, resiliency, and tenacity. Do not let temporary setbacks become permanent excuses. Use mistakes and problems as opportunities to get better, not reasons to quit."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

Once a question is posed, you'll be allowed roughly 20-30 seconds per question to formulate your response. You're allowed up to three minutes to record each answer. There are no retakes. You get only one opportunity to record your answers. Some questions may take longer to answer than others, but only take as much time as you need. Don't try to run out the clock or allow it to cut you off. Be as succinct as possible.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"I can be too hard on myself when it comes to making mistakes. One day, my boss expressed that I needed to go easier on myself. They observed that when I was hard on myself, I'd start tripping over my own feet and be prone to making more mistakes. They helped me create systems and implement them to ensure my work was of the highest quality and mistake-free. That gave me the confidence I needed to be better at my job, and as a result, I'm much easier on myself these days when the rare mistake happens."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I can be a perfectionist at times. I like to get things done the right way and not always does that happen. When I worked at my last position in healthcare, I had been precepted by fellow techs. I watched as I learned, and asked questions, but was anxious during my first attempts at taking vitals on patients and helping with toileting. I was told just relax and to rest assured to trust the learning curve."

Krista's Feedback

This is a good response, but I suggest adding what you are doing to become less of a perfectionist while trusting that learning curve. Interviewers like to hear how you are trying to improve your weakness.

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Anonymous Answer

"Sometimes I can be too hard on myself. I find myself overly critical when I make mistakes or fall short of my expectations and this self-imposed pressure can sometimes hinder my productivity and creativity, as it can lead to unnecessary stress and self-doubt.
However, I'm actively working on improving this aspect of myself. One of the strategies I've been implementing is practicing self-compassion. I'm learning to treat myself with the same kindness and understanding that I would offer to a friend facing similar challenges.
Additionally, I'm making a conscious effort to reframe how I perceive setbacks or mistakes. Instead of seeing them as failures, I view them as valuable learning experiences that help me grow and improve. This mindset shift has been instrumental in reducing the harsh self-criticism that has held me back in the past."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is a perfect answer! You led with the weakness, then focused the rest of your time on how you have taken steps to grow and develop in this area. Great job!

Behavioral

4. What would you consider your greatest strength?

The Goal

In a work context, share a few of your strengths that will help you succeed in this role. Perform research on their company culture and align your qualities with those they look for in a viable candidate based on the information online. A few of the strengths they list when describing their great teams and winning culture, are "lifelong learning and a deep curiosity, putting loyalty to the institution ahead of your or anyone else's personal agenda, collaborate and act as if the company's priorities are your own", among others. Offer an example of a time your efforts were recognized by your team or share those frequent compliments your fellow team members gave you.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

HireVue assesses data points in the recorded videos to identify the top performers and those most suited to the company's goals and culture. That information is then passed onto the company's hiring authority, depending on what HireVue package they've signed up for. Some request only the recorded videos and no assessment reports. Some request the report as well, while others request a screening and only receive those who pass the algorithm's evaluations as potential top performers. Once the hiring authority receives the materials, they can view the interviews side by side for further comparison and evaluation.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"I'd say one of my strengths is my systems approach for getting the error-free job done ahead of deadlines and with consistency. Also, I'm always staying productive, finding more work to do when I'm ahead of the game. And I'm often stepping outside my comfort zone to do whatever it takes to help the team. My contagious positive attitude has also had an impact at work. I often set the pace, and I've been told I am a natural-born leader."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"My greatest strength is my adaptability and my creative problem-solving skills. I dread environments that hinder this strength of mine. I thrive in environments that offer novelty, great responsibilities, and a degree of freedom. It creates a very symbiotic relationship between the company, the group, and me."

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome! It's great that you're a creative and adaptable problem solver. The interviewer will be happy to hear this. Rather than saying that you 'dread' environments that hinder this, use a positive tone and say that you enjoy work environments that support your ability to think outside the box, etc. If you can give an example of a time when you used this strength of yours to benefit an employer, even better because then the interviewer will see how your abilities can benefit them too.

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Anonymous Answer

"I think my greatest strength is being able to consistently work efficiently and beat deadlines with error-free work. I try not to waste much time since we only get so much and it's better to get a leg up by getting started when information is fresh. I'm also very contagious and naturally contribute to team morale and performance. I believe in inclusion and making sure everyone is heard."

Krista's Feedback

This is a really good answer, highlighting many strengths and skills.

Anonymous Answer

"I’d say that one of my biggest strengths is that I’m a hard worker led by curiosity and desire to learn and excel in what I’m doing. I like to take ownership and put myself out of my comfort zone. An illustrative example from my previous internship underscores this strength: I consistently completed my assigned tasks with remarkable efficiency, often finishing them in half the allotted time. However, instead of resting on my laurels, I actively sought opportunities to support other teams whenever they required assistance. This exemplifies my proactive nature and my eagerness to contribute beyond the scope of my responsibilities, a quality I believe sets me apart and enhances my ability to thrive in dynamic and challenging environments."

Jaymie's Feedback

Excellent! These are strengths that would prove valuable to the organization. Your answer has added impact because you used real examples that support and showcase those strengths.

Behavioral

5. What do you do outside the office?

The Goal

This personal question aims to reveal insights into your personality, interests, and motivators. Sharing your interests outside work will inform them whether you are a one-dimensional professional with a greater likelihood of burnout on the job or adding depth and making you more relatable. Seize this opportunity to make yourself more interesting. If all goes well, it could result in presenting as a more memorable candidate when the hiring authority later reviews the interviews.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

Some of the nonverbal cues the assessment vendor will scan your video interview for are your posture, such as slouching, folding your arms, or protecting your neck. It will evaluate your professional appearance, such as how tidy and clean your clothing and surroundings are. It will monitor your facial expressions, eye movements, head movements, and hand movements. It will also scan tone for your vocal cues, such as placing stress or emphasis on certain words, stutters, or taking long pauses.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Answer Example

"I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I love reading, watching documentaries, learning, attending lectures, and cooking. I'm something of a health nut and a foodie. I try to avoid processed foods whenever possible, so I do a lot of cooking from scratch. Aside from that, getting a bite to eat somewhere, or going for a walk or a hike somewhere new."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Besides spending time with friends and family, I love to do anything that is new and novel while also worthwhile and valuable. An example would be hiking on a long, dangerous path, reading books about a new topic I am exploring, or simply talking about the future and theories with my close friends. Essentially, I love to laugh, I love to experience, and I yearn for making an impact along the way."

Marcie's Feedback

Cool! Your answer shows that you're adventurous, curious, and happy, which is great. Can you somehow connect these interests of yours to the role and/or the company? Show the interviewer how these qualities and hobbies of yours will benefit them. Good job!

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Anonymous Answer

"I enjoy playing basketball at the Rec Center and cooking food. It's always a good time to play some pickup ball. I've been cooking since I was a child and these days I'm a health nut always trying online recipes that support a strong body and mind. I enjoy spending time with my family when I go back home, I love documentaries, and learning about new cultures in new places."

Krista's Feedback

This is a great answer, showing you have many outside interests that contribute to a healthy work/life balance.

Anonymous Answer

"I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. But there are other two activities that really fulfill me and they can be seen as quite the opposite.
My father transmitted me the passion for windsurfing, which feeds my passion for adventure and adrenaline, offering a thrilling escape from the ordinary. Two years ago I also started my journey through meditation. Meditation has been a valuable tool in helping me maintain a clear and focused mind, manage stress, and cultivate a sense of inner peace. It not only enhances my overall well-being but also allows me to approach challenges with a sense of calm and resilience, which I believe is essential in any professional setting."

Jaymie's Feedback

These interests share insight into who you are outside of work. Good job!

Career Goals

6. What does your five-year career plan look like?

The Goal

Before your interview, revise your five-year career plan and distill it into your immediate professional mantra and mission statement. This will help you deliver a clear and concise answer when this question comes up and will showcase that you've taken charge of your professional development. It will likewise make it easier to identify you as someone with like-minded opportunities that suggests a symbiotic match for an employer/employee relationship.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

Make sure you are in a relatively quiet place with as little background noise as possible. The camera angle should be at eye level. Positioning it too low will make you come across as domineering. Too high, and you'll seem too weak or small. So center it, and make sure your lighting is also equally balanced. Maintain eye contact in front of the camera as if you're speaking face-to-face with a person. Be mindful of your facial expressions. Furrowing your brow while concentrating on how to answer a question can easily be misinterpreted as exhibiting anger and raise a red flag.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

Every employer aspires to invest its resources in those interested in mutual growth towards like-minded opportunities. One way to gauge your interest is by determining your career goals and how they align with what they offer. For example, they advertise the following on their site; "We know our people are our strongest asset. You will never stop learning here, and we will learn with, invest in and support you along the way. From employee upskilling to policy advocacy, we're investing in people by equipping them with the tools and skills they need to prepare them for the future of work." JP Morgan Chase also advertises "opportunities at every level and in over 60 countries, from marketing to technology to research."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"Thank you for asking. I just revisited my five-year career goals, which I do once every year or two, depending on how far along I am with my goals. I've set some pretty aggressive milestones for myself for the next two years. I like thinking of myself as a cartographer of my future. The nearest destination on my map of the future is learning and picking up new skills and experiences with a company whose goals and values align with mine. Once I've completed my training in that position, I hope to grow within that organization, being mentored and accelerated toward our mutual goals."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Thank you for asking. I just revisited my five-year career goals, seeing that I'll be graduating next spring. The nearest destination on my map of the future is learning and picking up new skills and experiences with a company whose goals and values align with mine. Once I've completed my training in that position, I hope to grow within that organization, being mentored and accelerated toward our mutual goals."

Krista's Feedback

This is an excellent answer. I would include how your five-year goals align with working for JPMorgan Chase. The answer as it is could include working for any company. The interviewers want to hear that you see yourself with their company in the next five years.

Career Goals

7. Tell us about your ideal work environment or organizational culture.

The Goal

Anyone bringing on a new employee wants to gauge their like-mindedness and how well they'll fit into their work environment. By testing a candidate's company knowledge, they'll get a better sense of how well they've prepared for their interview and the lengths to which they've researched the position. It will also give them insights into their work ethic.

Once you have clear expectations of what working in their environment looks like, ask yourself if it feels like a good fit and what working for them could offer your career. Be honest with yourself, answering with sincerity. If it feels like a good fit, incorporate their language into your own, yet in a manner according to your nature. Try not to sound forced. Be humble yet determined while you exude the confidence necessary for success.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

While preparing for your interview, you'll want to present yourself as a professional in every way. Your surroundings are also a reflection of you as a professional. Wear appropriate professional clothing suited to the role. Additionally, you'll want the interviewer's focus to be on you and not on your background. Make sure your space is organized, free of distractions, and work-appropriate.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

These are some of the more attractive statements JP Morgan Chase makes about what pursuing a career with them looks like; "We strive to be good leaders. We communicate honestly, clearly and consistently. We maintain an open, entrepreneurial meritocracy for all. We build teamwork, loyalty and morale. We hire, train and retain great, diverse employees."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"My ideal work environment promotes harmony over hardship and promotes the strengths of the team rather than exploiting their weaknesses, and promotes gender equality and diversity inclusion. I want to work for a company that for a meritocracy, which is partly what drew me to compete for a position at JP Morgan Chase. I'm motivated by a work environment where encouragement, mentorship, and true camaraderie. I aim to find a company whose pursuits are akin to my own, either on a micro or macro scale. I am interested in working with a company that identifies the best path toward innovation through building diverse teams that value inclusion. I'd prefer to work for a company that realizes that corporations have social responsibilities, and JP Morgan Chase fits that description. I'm interested in a long-term employment relationship where I feel valued and there are opportunities for growth from within. Chase promotes employee upskilling and invests in their talent by equipping them with the tools and skills they need to prepare them for the future of work. I also greatly value diversity in the workplace, and Chase is working to drive a diverse, inclusive culture for our employees and or businesses. They're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels like they belong."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"My ideal work environment is one that is a high responsibility and high-speed. It requires tough decisions to be made in a stressful environment. I enjoy this b/c with great responsibility comes great power and I see this environment as a way to achieve the best results. In other words, it takes a lot of heat and pressure to make diamonds."

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome! It's great that you thrive in fast-paced and high-pressure environments. Can you talk about a time when you flourished in this type of work atmosphere? Supporting your claims with an example will make your answer stronger. Also, remind the interviewer that you believe that your ideal work environment matches what their company offers. Great job!

Career Goals

8. Why are you looking for a new role?

The Goal

This question aims to assess what your circumstance could reveal about you as an employee. If you are currently testing the field while considering leaving your current employer, the interviewer will want to know how committed you are to your current employer and how serious you are about joining another team elsewhere. Your motives for leaving your job could be just as revealing. If you quit your job before lining up another, this could speak to poor planning, quitting before you were fired, or lessened professional worth. If you were laid off or let go, that could reveal potential red flags.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

When speaking, try not to speak too fast and moderate your tone. Speaking too fast could make you come across as seeming nervous. Speak more slowly to come across as relaxed, like an equal speaking among your peers. Also, make sure you choose your words carefully. Spend some time looking up terms that you feel best to apply to you or are naturally part of your vocabulary. Use professional adjectives to describe yourself and your situation, such as career focussed, ambitious, persistent, genuine, patient, enthusiastic, disciplined, and passionate.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

The best course of action is detailing where you want to take your career from here, the type of environment and work culture you want to work with, and how JP Morgan Chase unique fits that mold. The best approach to communicate this is by showcasing the research you've performed on the company at the same time, and informing them what you learned there enticed you to pursue this opportunity, which felt like the perfect fit for you.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"I learned a lot from my employer but realized there wasn't enough growth opportunity to reach my goals. The company I'm working for is downsizing and allowed me to fill another role at the company. Unfortunately, it doesn't align with my career goals. I'm grateful for the experience and what I learned along the way. But because of the lack of growth opportunities, I decided I wanted to move my career forward. Although they're sad to see me go, I do this with my current employer's blessings. I forged many great relationships there, and I've always been the type who builds bridges rather than burns them."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I am going to graduate this Winter and hope to use my talents where they would be appreciated such as at your firm and at this specific role."

Marcie's Feedback

It makes sense that you're looking for a job since you're graduating soon. Talk more about why this company and role will fit your personality and skill set. Convey how excited you are about this potential opportunity. Good job!

Communication

9. How would you rate your communication skills, and how would you justify that rating?

The Goal

This question aims to assess how skilled a communicator you are. Conveying the big picture, the stakes involved, and consistently following through are integral to functional communication. Communication is likewise essential to ensuring a business' systems run smoothly. A breakdown can happen anywhere in the chain, leading to rework, a loss in productivity, increased payroll, and less profit, costing a company and inflating its budget.

Someone who uses the expression, 'if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself,' likely has yet to master the communication skills necessary to successfully delegate. The message sent is not always the message received, and although an employee might confirm they understand their instructions, they may either fall short of the expectations that were inadequately communicated or fail to communicate they've completed the task without understanding the stakes involved. Consider these points when formulating your answer.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

The assessment vendor will screen you for how well you communicate. So keep an ear out for any stutters, awkward pauses, or your use of any speech crutch words such as "uh," "like," "um," "you know," "so on and so forth," "and," "well," "but," "so," "ah," "er," and "Etcetera." Record your voice while answering some of these questions to identify your tics so you can better practice answering these questions without relying on such words. Also, pay close attention to your choice of words and what they might suggest beyond your intended meaning. Doing so will aid in presenting yourself as a clearer communicator and more of a professional.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

Communicating effectively with others is more than the words you choose, and more than speaking clearly and concisely. It also means actively listening, exuding empathy, and treating others with respect. Here are some of the statements JP Morgan Chase makes concerning communication; "We communicate honestly, clearly and consistently. We foster an environment of respect, inclusiveness, humanity and humility. We build teamwork, loyalty and morale, and act in a thoughtful, coordinated way. Respect and learn from your people / team. Foster a spirit of partnership." Consider these points when formulating your answer.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Entry Level Example

"I also put a lot of value in clear communication between all parties, departments, and sectors. Without clear and consistent communication, any situation can degrade rather swiftly, and progress comes to a halt. I would say I over-communicate until I am sure everyone is on the same page. So, my oral and written communication skills are highly developed. From presentation to confirmation to follow up, every stage of communication is as valuable as the next."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Honestly, I believe I have great communication skills because I understand the value of establishing communication between many parties. I usually over-communicate to assure the same page is present by all."

Marcie's Feedback

It's great that you consider yourself to be a strong communicator. Keep in mind that communication can be broken down into different types like listening, verbal, non-verbal, written, and even presenting. Go into more detail about each of these communication types and highlight the areas where you're the strongest. Give examples to support your assertions (like, for example, if you say that you're an excellent presenter, talk about a time when you successfully presented in front of a group). Nice job!

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"Through my academic, work, and personal experience, I understood how important communication is. I learned that to be a good communicator, listening first is of paramount importance. Sometimes communication is impeded because of misunderstandings and that’s why I put a lot of value in communication between all parties. I would say I over-communicate until I am sure everyone is on the same page. So, my listening, oral, and written communication skills are highly developed. From presentation to confirmation to follow-up, every stage of communication is as valuable as the next."

Jaymie's Feedback

Lead your answer with a direct answer as to how you would rate your skills, then go into your supporting context. You did a great job mentioning key communication skills the interviewer will listen for in your response.

Compatibility

10. Why are you the right candidate for this position?

The Goal

You cannot know the other candidates' qualifications or how their interview performances compare to yours. The only thing you have to go on is your own merits. Seize this opportunity to align your values and motivators with the work culture of their brand and deliver your best sales pitch. Demonstrate how grounded and well-rounded you are, and describe your unparalleled skill sets. Maintain your professionalism. Coming across as overly confident could make you seem arrogant, whereas being too humble can make you seem insecure or underqualified.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

The assessment vendor is asking you to give them a reason they should hire you while studying your behavior to ascertain if you believe in what you are saying. They are evaluating your verbal and non-verbal cues for signs of honesty and confidence in your skills and will determine whether you can identify what sets you apart from the other candidates. Answer with sincerity. If you can align your interests with what this opportunity offers, all the better.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

JP Morgan Chase has put a lot of effort in advertising their merits, and why they are the right employer for you. Now it is your turn to inform them why you are the right fit for them. To answer this question effectively, spend some time reading through the PDF they provide on their website called "How we do business" and you'll find some valuable information there which could help you identify how you fit their mold. For example; "Have a fierce resolve in everything you do. Demonstrate determination, resiliency, and tenacity. Do not let temporary setbacks become permanent excuses. Use mistakes and problems as opportunities to get better - not reasons to quit." If this sounds like you, describe these strengths in your own words, which could convey you are indeed the right candidate for them."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"I'm a positive person. I pride myself on my attitude and outlook on life. I've achieved this confidence in myself by being honest with myself at all times. If you want to be an honest person, you have to start by being honest with yourself. I don't know many people who can do that. I'm always on the lookout for the truth when it comes to everything, and as a result, that mindset has gifted me with a high level of attention to detail that I apply to everything. That goes hand in hand with my strong work ethic. Integrity is my number one core value. I'm a self-starter and a team player around the clock."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"First off, when I look at the key skills, and interests, I can safely cross each and every one off the list. When I look at the job description itself, though, I became instantly captivated. I yearn to work on high-responsibility teams that thrive on data and strategy; these qualities are what I have learned in many walks of life and now call my own. Even the JPMorgan mission of putting customer's first is in my DNA as I have worked in the restaurant industry my entire life; "The customer is always right."

Marcie's Feedback

It's fantastic that you mention the company's mission and how your values align with it. Awesome! You also do a good job of explaining why you think you're the right candidate for this position. Your passion shines through. Don't hesitate, however, to talk in more detail about the strengths, skills, qualities, and experience you have to offer that might differentiate you from other candidates. Be thorough and confident!

Compatibility

11. Why JP Morgan Chase?

The Goal

This question assesses how knowledgeable you are about JP Morgan Chase and the position. It'll also reveal your ambition and how well your future goals align with the opportunities this position could provide for your career. How prepared you are for this interview will offer insights into your work ethic.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

This question will help the assessment vendor evaluate your confidence in your fit for this opportunity and if you're pursuing it for the right reasons. Your answer could reveal if you are shooting for the stars or a more realistic target.

Before the interview, research the body language of a confident and relaxed person in a seated position. Pump yourself up with physical exercise to manifest confidence. Go into a private space with a mirror, look yourself in the eye, and give yourself a pep talk. Raise your arms, stretch your back, and make yourself as big as possible. Then practice your answers in front of the camera and record your voice to cast away any insecurity, nervousness, or self-doubt. Share what you have to offer and why you believe it.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

Spend some time determining why JP Morgan Chase stands out from the other companies you are interviewing with. Whether it is the opportunity, their position on closing the racial wealth gap, closing the gender pay gap, promoting disable peoples or their support of and advancing of Black, Hispanic and Latino communities, their environmental impact, or their growth opportunities from within... whatever makes their environment, their culture, or the variety of ways they approach their business right for you, identify it before your interview and be ready to tell them why this job is at the top of your list.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Answer Example

"I want to work for the best. JPMorgan Chase is one of the world's oldest, largest, and best-known financial institutions. With a history that traces their roots to 1799 in New York City, they carry forth their innovative spirit, from their heritage firms to our global operations in over 60 countries."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I want to work where my talents will be appreciated the most. I do not want to and do not plan to settle in any aspect of my life. I love the idea of being able to work with the brightest minds in the industry on the most pressing issues. The fact that they have such a large and diverse history and global footprint reassures me this is a company that is here to stay."

Marcie's Feedback

Your goal here is to show the interviewer why this company is the ideal fit for you and why you hold it in such high regard. Mentioning your desire to work with 'the brightest minds in the industry' is great because it shows that you think intelligent people work for the company. How about its mission? What about it aligns with your own values? How about its culture? Why do you think you'll fit in? What about its location, past successes, or role responsibilities do you think is great? Adding more detail here will strengthen your answer. Good job!

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Anonymous Answer

"I am drawn to JPMorgan for two main reasons:
First, because of its reputation as one of the world's leading financial institutions and its commitment to providing innovative solutions to its clients. I keep up with the research done on Institutional Investor, and I saw that in 2022, you were ranked as their number one global research leader for the second year in a row. It shows how much value you provide for your clients, and I’m looking to learn and grow in an environment that puts clients first. Additionally, I am impressed with the company's strong leadership and track record of success.
Secondly, I had the opportunity to talk to some of JP Morgan’s employees at various levels and this helped me gain a better understanding of the culture and values of the firm and convinced me even more that I would like to be part of this innovative and client-centric organization, always surrounded by experienced and passionate professionals."

Jaymie's Feedback

Excellent answer! You have clearly done your research on the organization and been intentional with where you apply.

Compatibility

12. What do you think our bank does differently than other firms?

The Goal

"Our diverse and global workforce is a competitive advantage. Building diverse teams not only strengthens our business and our culture, but also broadens the range of ideas and solutions we can offer." This question tests how well you'll fit their mold and the lengths you've gone to prepare for this interview. How you answer should reveal the research you've done on the company. They're not interested in working with someone who just wants any job. They want to hire someone who wants to work with them over their competition while exhibiting the drive and ambition they're hoping for in a candidate. Learn as much as possible about what they're offering and what they expect in return. Do everything you can to fit the mold.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

HireVue's algorithm will evaluate your consistency throughout the set. That includes how consistent your non-verbal cues are with what you say and whether you unintentionally contradict yourself from answer to answer or from what you've detailed on your resume. Your consistency in your interview will also tell them about your attention to detail and the consistency they can expect from your work performance.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

When formulating your answer, consider the repeated badges of honor they advertise on their website. The core value that repeats the most across their website concerns their stance on embracing diversity and inclusion. Also, they advertise the actionable steps they've taken with regard to "advancing black pathways" by helping "the Black community chart stronger paths toward economic success and empowerment. As a firm, we have committed $30 billion over five years to drive economic inclusion and help dismantle systemic racism." Additionally, they've connected "employee volunteers with nonprofits to build sustainable tech solutions that advance their missions" and "empowering people with disabilities to become leaders" and increasing gender equality and reducing the gender pay gap. All worth considering when formulating your answer.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"JP Morgan Chase differs from other investment banks in how they intuitively merged commercial banking and investment banking, where their competitors failed in this regard. JPMorgan Chase has never been a standalone bank and breaks the mold when promoting diverse candidates, narrowing the gender pay gap, promoting people with disabilities, and helping under privileged communities overcome systemic racism. Also, many of JP Morgan Chase's competitors may claim they embrace diversity and inclusion, but few companies have taken the action steps and put their money where their mouth is. Just like in that video on your website, where Tiffany Pol says the same thing, where she says JPMorgan Chase really puts its money where its mouth is when it comes to diversity efforts across women and people of color."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I could mention JPMorgan dominates the global and US market and is the largest bank in the US, too. While worth mentioning, I admire their ability to be trailblazers in their field and to never settle. They are engaged in a diverse range of revenue streams which allows them to outperform other banks."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! These are all excellent points to mention. If you can add more specifics, say about the types of revenue streams or what the company has done to show it's a trailblazer, even better!

Competency

13. What current events interest you right now?

The Goal

This question gauges how in charge of your development you are and whether you stay up to date on the innovations in your industry. Your answer could provide insights into how you anticipate and adapt to changes that could impact your profession or whether you take your position for granted, putting the relevance of your skills at risk. It could also reveal whether you'd be a trusted resource for their teams. Before the interview, brush up on any breaking news, or revisit something noteworthy that you've recently read and were enthusiastic about so they're fresh in your mind before the interview.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

Remember, the body language and facial expressions you want to maintain are relaxed and confident. When confused or concentrating, we tend to furrow our brow or redirect our gaze. However, this could easily be misinterpreted by the algorithm. So practice relaxing your brow and widening your eyes. Tilt your head slightly and speak softly.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

On the JP Morgan Chase website, they have a few pages with a great deal of valuable industry related information worth mentioning when answering this question. They have a page dedicated to news and Stories where the cover topics from employee stories, to career advice, to company news. They also have a page dedicated to their events, which covers their student events, online academy which is definitely worth exploring, and their own technology webinars.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"Too many to count. Right now I am very interested in the pay gap regarding gender equality, and how diversity inclusion enhances innovation, and closes the income gap. Theres this great book I read in college called micro-motives and macro-behavior. I've always been passionate about this subject, and frankly it is partly what drew me to compete for this position at this stage in my career. I spend a lot of my time reading and performing research. I can't stop asking questions; the more I know, the more I realize how little I understand. Whether it's research or reading the periodicals I follow, I strive to pursue active learning. That leads to an eagerness to share. Anytime I share something, I open myself to learning something new when someone reciprocates and shares something. So, answering your question, I stay up-to-date every way I can."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"There are a lot let's just say that. I tend to be more interested in global affairs, though. The main one that I find myself researching more and more about regards Russia and China and their ever-increasing collaboration and talks of creating gold-back currencies. Russia and China are purchasing billions of dollars of gold. It seems like there is more to the story, but the breadcrumbs are just as interesting."

Marcie's Feedback

Wow! This is a great answer because you bring up a current event that is both interesting and relevant to this company because it's finance-related. Your topic is definitely a good conversation starter too! Nice job.

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Anonymous Answer

"There are many, but nowadays it’s inevitable to talk about AI and digital disruption. This year we have seen the market try to scope out the implications of AI-driven disruption. AI-driven productivity gains could boost profit margins, especially for companies with high staffing costs or a large share of tasks that could be automated. I have to admit that it is a topic of which I didn’t know too much about the technicalities, and for this reason, I spend a lot of my time reading and performing research, talking to experts, and following seminars about this topic. I can't stop asking questions; the more I know, the more I realize how little I understand. Whether it's research or reading the periodicals I follow, I strive to pursue active learning. That leads to an eagerness to share. Anytime I share something, I open myself to learning something new when someone reciprocates and shares something."

Jaymie's Feedback

Excellent job! Your response really showcases your knowledge base and desire to learn and stay current on industry events.

Competency

14. How are the three financial statements linked?

The Goal

The primary aim of this industry question is to evaluate your communication skills by how effectively you can explain something industry related in relatable terms. It's also designed to test your knowledge. Find a way to explain how the three main financial statements stand alone as a snapshot of information and how they relate to each other to provide a bigger financial picture. Avoid rambling or explaining it in a roundabout way. Practice your answer so that you can deliver it quickly and cohesively.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

You always want to seem prepared to answer the question posed while exuding confidence and communicating clearly. Enunciate your words, avoiding stutters or long pauses. Sounding too rehearsed can make you sound wooden and boorish. Practice in front of your computer's camera, trying not to look at yourself on the screen but rather maintaining eye contact with the camera lens as if you're speaking face-to-face with a person; keep at it until you are relaxed and seem natural.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

Try to incorporate their language into your answer, and try to answer this question in their terms. For example, here's what they say in their 2022 business principles; "We set the highest standards of performance. We demand financial rigor and risk discipline; we will always maintain a fortress balance sheet. We strive for the best internal governance and controls. We act and think like owners and partners. We strive to build and maintain the best, most efficient systems and operations. We are disciplined in everything we do. We execute with both skill and urgency."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Answer Example

"The short answer is that they are all connected, yet when separated, are intended to distill only a part of the financial information in a relatable way, each offering its own snapshot. Let's start with how an Income Statement is tied into a Balance Sheet and Statement of Cash Flows through Net Income..."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"-Net income from the income statement flows to the balance sheet and cash flow statement

-Depreciation is added back and CapEx is deducted on the cash flow statement, which determines PP&E on the balance sheet

-Financing activities mostly affect the balance sheet and cash from finalizing, except for interest, which is shown on the income statement

-The sum of the last period’s closing cash balance plus this period's cash from operations, investing, and financing is the closing cash balance on the balance sheet"

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent! You appear to be well-informed about how the three financial statements connect to each other. Any interviewer will be impressed by your knowledge in this area. Nice!

Competency

15. How would you describe your work ethic?

The Goal

This question offers an opportunity to showcase what aspects of professional methodology have benefited you in the past. How you answer will help them assess how well you'll fit into their team and work environment and whether you'll be able to adapt to their way of doing things. Familiarize yourself with the basics of this position. Describe your system approach, as well as your ability to adapt. If there are aspects of your work style that coworkers have adopted, focus on that as well. Highlight your strengths, your flexibility, your ability to hold yourself accountable and learn from your mistakes, and that you are easy to work with. As they say on their website, "Do The Right Thing.
Deal directly with problems. Value everyone equally. Own up to your mistakes and learn from them."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

This question assesses your integrity by evaluating how honestly you present your answers, so answer sincerely. Some non-verbal cues the assessment vendor will use to evaluate your honesty are stroking your chin and covering your mouth or your eyes, gaze avoidance, the direction of your eyes, excessive fidgeting such as restless foot and leg movements, frequent body posture changes, and grooming behaviors such as playing with hair or pressing your fingers to lips.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"While onboarding at my last job, they trained me on the general methods previous employees in my position used to tackle their work. I soaked it up and spent my time evaluating those systems. I changed or reinvented them in ways that made more sense to me. I'm all about increasing productivity if it doesn't sacrifice the quality of my work. Sometimes I hit the mark, and sometimes it's close but not perfect, and when that's the case, I learn what I can. Well, the head of our division visited our department and evaluated our workflow. They challenged us to increase our department's productivity within the next month. At my first opportunity, I showed my team leader the system's approach I used for my work in case they wanted to get ideas for how to meet this challenge. They loved what I'd done so much that they had me form a team to adopt these systems to the rest of the department in a way that fit everyone's unique personality and work style. Once everyone was up to speed, our productivity increased, and we met this challenge. We increased our department's productivity, exceeding our goals. Even better, a few months later, everyone in our department received a bonus. So, I'd call that one of my greatest work-related accomplishments."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I can recall an example from my most recent internship as a Capital Markets Intern. My partner and I were given a project which was intended to take 75% of our time (6 weeks to complete). To make a long story short, we worked non-stop in a fever and finished it in 3 weeks, edited and revised it for a few days, and launched it right after. We worked so fast on every project that they ran out of work to give us. My partner just accepted a job at _________ and we still keep in touch."

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome! This is a strong example to cite here. Can you also include a general description of your work ethic and talk briefly about where you got it from? Also, what kind of project did you work on during your internship? Otherwise, excellent response!

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Anonymous Answer

"I believe my work ethic can be characterized as efficient, proactive, and humble, as demonstrated by an illustrative example from my previous internship. During this experience, I consistently completed my assigned tasks with remarkable efficiency, often finishing them in half the allotted time. However, instead of resting on my laurels and simply meeting the basic requirements of my role, I actively sought opportunities to support other teams whenever they required assistance.
This exemplifies my proactive nature and my eagerness to contribute beyond the scope of my responsibilities while maintaining a humble attitude. I firmly believe that going the extra mile and being willing to step in when needed is a quality that sets me apart and enhances my ability to thrive in dynamic and challenging environments. I view work not just as a set of tasks to complete but as an opportunity to make a meaningful impact and be a valuable team player, always remaining open to learning from others and acknowledging that there is room for improvement. This approach to work, combined with humility, has consistently driven me to excel and continuously seek ways to grow both personally and professionally."

Jaymie's Feedback

Well done! You focused on your abilities and provided supporting examples to support your self-assessment.

Conflict

16. Describe a time you had to resolve a conflict at work.

The Goal

This question aims to get a glimpse of your mediation and negotiation skills. Your answer will offer insights into what you consider a conflict and how you confront it, defensively or with diplomacy, which attests to your soft skills. Are you part of the problem or the solution, working swiftly towards a communal end goal? But most importantly, you'll want to convey how you already work accordingly to JP Morgan Chase's code of conduct in these situations.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

Often when a person recalls a conflict situation, the emotions of that moment rise to the surface and are re-experienced. That will cause them to narrow their eyes, fold their arms, and furrow their brow. The assessment vendor's algorithm will study you for those defensive cues while you recall your experience with a conflict at work. You'll want to come across as emotionally mature and not regress into the emotion of that conflict when reflecting upon it. Avoid any defensive behavior, posturing, movements, or gestures that could be interpreted as insecure, closed-off, unapproachable, hostile, or disinterested. You may think coming across as a strong figure could be beneficial, but true strength comes from within. Therefore, you want to come across as confident and relaxed.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

Familiarize yourself with how they do business by thoroughly researching the materials they offer on their site. You'll find useful information, such as, "Deal with people issues; take action with non-performers. Act quickly on tough issues and have the courage to fight for what you believe in. Support people who are willing to speak up, encourage constructive challenge. Be fair, be just, be willing to do the right thing, not the easy thing. Encourage constructive, open debate and consider different approaches. Provide constant feedback, tell people when they are doing a good job and, more important, when they are not."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"A recent policy change went into effect. The person who shared my cubicle complained, casting shade on the policy. I disagreed with their perspective and didn't feel their negative outlook was doing them any good. Instead of bringing it up with my coworker, I stopped my supervisor the next time they passed by. Without naming any names, I told them the policy wasn't being perceived well by some. I asked several questions about why they implemented the policy change. That allowed our supervisor to correct the misconception, framing it in the positive light it deserved. Change can be hard, but not all change is bad. After the supervisor finished and left, my coworker thanked me for clearing it up."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"During my last internship, we were working on our capstone project that was to be presented to the whole company at the end of our time there, so tensions were high. There was a disagreement about whether a certain idea should be placed on the PowerPoint or not with no right or wrong answer. I am the oldest sibling, so I am used to mediating fights. I was able to set up a "mock trial" which led to mutual understanding and eventually a resolution was achieved."

Marcie's Feedback

Neat! This was definitely a creative way to resolve the issue! Can you give more details about what idea was so controversial? Also, consider talking more generally about other ways you might solve a conflict (like meeting privately with the other person to talk through the disagreement; creating a mutual action plan and following up on it; staying calm and professional at all times; actively listening to the other person's perspective, and so on.) Great job!

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Anonymous Answer

"During my last internship, I was assigned the task of collecting required documents from clients for the Know Your Customer (KYC) review process.
My specific responsibility was to reach out to clients and request the required documents as per our company's guidelines and procedures. These guidelines included a specific protocol for reaching out to clients, documenting the interactions, and updating the client's file accordingly.
One day, I contacted a client to request the necessary documents. To my surprise, the client promptly replied that he had already provided the documents and was frustrated that we were asking for them again. Concerned about this, I immediately approached my colleague, who had worked on this client's account before me, to seek clarification. The tones were not calm because we were accusing one another of having done things wrong. So I lowered my voice and tried to stay calm, listen to him, and most importantly reassure the client. As we talked it then became evident that he had not followed any of the established procedures.
To resolve the conflict, I took immediate action. I apologized to the client for the misunderstanding, explaining that we were working to improve our internal processes to prevent such issues. I updated the client's file with the information they had previously provided to ensure we had a complete record. Additionally, I discussed with my colleague, emphasizing the critical importance of following company guidelines and documenting client interactions accurately.
As a result of these actions, we were able to regain the client's trust, and they provided the required documents once more. This experience served as a valuable lesson for both me and my colleague, underscoring the significance of clear communication, adherence to established procedures, and accountability in our work."

Jaymie's Feedback

Great job! You used the STAR method effectively, and your example highlighted your interpersonal, communication, customer service, conflict resolution, and de-escalation skills.

Diversity

17. JP Morgan employs a diverse group of people. Describe your experience working with a diverse group of people.

The Goal

JP Morgan Chase prides themselves on their stance on diversity and inclusion. It is part of their culture. "Maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive is not only the smart thing to do -- it's the right thing to do. A talent-driven company is by definition a diverse and inclusive one. We believe that diversity among our employees enables us to be the world-class company we are today. We strive to foster a culture of respect, and are committed to making our workforce, workplace and marketplace diverse, inclusive and accessible for all our employees. Though we aim to do better still, we're proud of the workplace we've created." Communicating cultural competence when answering questions about diversity is essential. On even the most inherently human level, we are all driven by the same basic needs. So focus on the unifiers of diversity and a general acceptance of the human experience with sensitivity when answering this question. Demonstrate empathy and acceptance.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

Conveying cultural competence requires interest, openness, and curiosity. Nonverbal indicators for these emotions are leaning in, tilting your head as you speak, smiling, and making eye contact. Signs of discomfort and avoidance could indicate negative bias and antipathy. Such nonverbal cues include decreased positivity, less eye contact and more gaze aversion, fewer smiles, greater interpersonal distance, and increased blinking. Consider these points when formulating your answer.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"At one point in college, I worked at a store in a very diverse neighborhood. That was a pretty exciting experience; people from different walks of life worked under one roof. It was probably the most dynamic and innovative crew I've ever worked with. Everything was outside of the box. We were a pretty great team. I still swing by and take the time to say hello when I'm in the area."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I have traveled all over the world and met many walks of people. At my internship with ______, I worked with people of diverse backgrounds and also people from different departments. Everyone was given an equal say as we debated varying projects and how to undertake them. I learned a lot from these POV's and I offered insight into my own perspective which helped the team too."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! The interviewer will be pleased that you value the perspectives of others and that you have experience working with diverse groups. Remember that diversity can refer to many different types including age, academic level, nationality/culture, gender, race/ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and so on. Consider speaking more specifically about the kinds of diversity you've experienced thus far. Good job!

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Anonymous Answer

"At one point during high school, I worked at a big chain restaurant with colleagues of every age (I was the youngest to 50-year-old colleague with children), different backgrounds (as for many people that was their lifetime job), and nationality from all over the world. That was a pretty exciting experience and I was positively surprised by how easily we were getting along; people from different walks of life worked under one roof. It was probably the most dynamic and innovative crew I've ever worked with. Everything was outside of the box. We were a pretty great team. I still swing by and take the time to say hello when I'm in the area."

Jaymie's Feedback

It sounds like you have a lot of experience working with diverse team members. You understand that each person brings their own perspective and unique ideas, which fosters teamwork, collaboration, and innovation. Good job!

18. Tell us about the last time you received feedback and the impact it had on you.

The Goal

This question assesses how proactive you are, what your approach to your work is, and whether you frequently seek feedback or wait for others to come to you. As JP Morgan says on their website, "We Build Teamwork, Loyalty and Morale. Provide constant feedback - tell people when they are doing a good job and, more important, when they are not. Consistently provide honest and direct feedback; encourage people to say what is on their minds. Know your people well; put them in the right jobs and assess them honestly. Make people decisions based on merit."

Doing the basics of your job and assuming that no news is good news isn't a sign of leadership but a red flag that you put in the bare minimum. Show that you take ownership of your development. Rather than providing a single example of where you proactively sought feedback, suggest you frequently seek it while striving to consistently go above and beyond.

On the other hand, this question aims to assess your attitude toward the feedback you receive. Do you perceive yourself as a victim of an unfair evaluation and grow dissatisfied with your work, or do you distill the useful information from the feedback and take what is necessary to continue to improve? Consider these points when formulating your answer.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

The HireVue algorithm will evaluate you for your consistency, and your non-verbal cues will hold more weight than what you communicate verbally. This will almost always be interpreted as the speaker's true feelings, intentions, and attitudes. So not only do you want to ensure your answers are consistent throughout your interview, but your performance as well. When words and statements are incongruent with your tone, facial expressions, or mannerisms, it is commonly considered an indication of limited emotional intelligence or burnout syndrome. It suggests a lack of self-awareness of one's nonverbal cues as inconsistent with your narrative.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"Whenever I am learning something new, I always seek feedback. I have always been wary of presumption and rework. I find rework discouraging, and I pride myself on enjoying my work and having a positive outlook. So I try to strike a balance between proactively seeking feedback and being self-sufficient. I don't just limit external input to one person, either. Everyone has something different to offer, so the more resources I can tap into, the better my work will be. I guess I've always chomped at the bit, per se. The sooner I can get versed in something, the sooner I can overachieve."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"In my mind, trying is the best route as it is a win-win. Either you succeed in your journey or you fail and receive feedback. I actively seek feedback. The last time was only a week ago with my professor when I scheduled three meetings to discuss different parts of my thesis on the college debt crisis. I am sure he is annoyed with me, but I use every resource I can in order to improve in any way possible."

Marcie's Feedback

The interviewer will appreciate that you are open to feedback and actively seek it out. What kind of feedback did you receive during the meeting with your professor about your thesis? How are you going to apply it to improve? Emphasize the lessons you carried away from the meeting. Also, consider dropping the 'I am sure he is annoyed with me,' as it's unnecessary and detracts from your strong answer. Great job!

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Anonymous Answer

"I always try to ask for feedback from people surrounding me, whenever I am learning something new, I always seek feedback. It’s important to be conscious of ourselves and our work, but I believe it is as important to understand how people perceive us and our work, because sometimes these two may not coincide. I’m very curious with a strong desire for constant self-improvement, and I believe feedback is a fundamental key in this path. I stay humble and acknowledge that there’s always something new to learn from others.
For example, I was working on a team project during my bachelor's. We had been collaborating for a few weeks, and I thought everything was going well. However, I noticed that some of my colleagues were not as engaged in the project as I expected them to be. I decided to seek feedback from one of my teammates and asked her for her thoughts on our project's progress and my performance as a team member. She pointed out that sometimes I tended to take charge of decision-making without considering everyone's input. Initially, I was a bit taken aback by the feedback, but then I reflected on my actions and understood why she was telling me that. Since that moment I started working on my listening and my teamwork skills got incredibly better."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is a good example to share! You were able to communicate the situation well, the impact the feedback initially had on you, and your ability to step back, digest the feedback, and use it to grow and develop. Nice job!

19. Tell us about a mistake you’ve made on the job and what you learned from it.

The Goal

This question reveals whether you take ownership of your mistakes and setbacks and what you learn from them. Your answer will inform them whether you deflect blame, repeat the same errors, or become a more difficult member of the team to work with. Feeling fear of judgment for making a mistake is human. How one deals with and remedies a mistake comes down to exercising good judgment and knowing when asking for help is appropriate. Consider the needs of your team. When providing your example, explain the reasoning behind the course of action you took.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

The assessment vendor will study your performance for signs of discomfort or dishonesty. Verbal cues they'll analyze to identify if you're exaggerating or not being completely honest include repeating a question before answering, speaking in sentence fragments, displaying a change in speech pattern, irregular speech, and rising and falling tone. When your words don't match your gestures, your gestures will be seen as the truth. So maintain eye contact and confident body language, be comfortable, and speak from the heart.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

Take into consideration this advice, and recommended values, extracted from their business principles; "Always strive for improvement and have the ability to drive change - make a list and get it done. Act in a thoughtful, coordinated way - not in haste or in isolation. Measure performance with a detailed, balanced scorecard. Monitor, track and report the right things the right way, and fix ineffective reporting."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"Any time I've made a mistake on the job, I've been pretty hard on myself. I've been told by my superiors that berating myself is more harmful than the original mistake. I've learned from those conversations. I've learned to improve my systems to ensure I don't miss any steps or repeat those mistakes. I've also learned to shift my attitude to look at each mistake as an opportunity to improve the way I do things, learn from those lessons and enhance my output and quality of work. Now I perform with far fewer mistakes. One time, I spent several days implementing some new systems to increase the quantity of my work. When I first put the system into practice, I was over-eager to turn my work in. I should've been more thorough in reviewing my work and not taken my new systems for granted. I met the deadline, but my work was barely acceptable. I pride myself on padding the job and turning in the finest quality. This work didn't meet my standard. I shouldn't have rushed the work and should have given myself a little more breathing room. I've since fine-tuned my systems and now provide a higher output of material that meets my quality standards. Live and learn."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"First off, it can be very embarrassing, but it is important to address it right away. I remember at MOLT, I persuaded the group not to bid on a certain property and to save our investment on another. While we still made money on the latter investment, we found the first would have been a cheaper price and a higher ROI in general. I learned to be more careful in my judgments and to ask people for theirs before hastily assigning to my ideas."

Marcie's Feedback

Good job! The important thing is to learn from your mistakes and it sounds like you did in this case. Can you delve even deeper into what you learned here? Why did you think the group shouldn't bid on that property? What was your reasoning? How were your assumptions incorrect? The more details you can add here, the better!

20. Tell us about a time your team rejected your suggestions and how you responded.

The Goal

When providing your answer, present the backdrop of your situational example, including how informed your suggestion was. Explain why your idea was rejected, whether the reason for passing over your idea was valid, and what you learned from it. Lastly, show what you learned from the experience and how that helped you grow as a professional.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

When delivering your answers, try not to be in the emotional state of that moment. Practice being in the emotional state you want to convey. If the example you've thought of doesn't allow you to remove yourself emotionally and observe it situationally, think of another. You want your answer to resonate with authentic sincerity.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

How you dealt with rejections in the past will offer clues to your emotional intelligence, your communication, and the professionalism of your conduct. Additionally, your motives should come from a place of helpful professionalism and a drive to support the team effort, not self-advancement. This will indicate whether your contributions will match the innovation they are looking for in their candidates. As JP Margan Chase says in the PDF on How We Do Business, "Put loyalty to the institution ahead of your or anyone else's personal agenda; collaborate and act as if the company's priorities are your own. Innovate, test and learn. We know some ideas will fail, and that's okay."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"I used to experience that early in my career, feeling I wasn't recognized for my contributions. Now I realize if I want to be heard, it's up to me to communicate my vision and be assertive. This way, I ensure whatever I bring to the table is my best and communicated to the best of my ability. I can't blame others for not sharing my vision when I'm incapable of illustrating that vision. If it gets shelved, I learn what I can from the experience and move on. Often, the sheer feeling of rejection is the only setback because that feeling can paralyze you and keep you from moving forward. I like to think I'm past that, but everyone thinks they're ready until they're not. Who knows what the future holds?"

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I thought I had a pretty good idea for our capstone project, but when I mentioned it to the group, they became quiet and did not think it should be included. Obviously, I asked why, and they politely told me why it wouldn't work and the group brought up reasons why or why not. In the end, the idea was rejected. While I felt emotionally upset, it quickly dissipated as I realized I trusted my team and our cooperation over my ego was more important."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! If you add more specifics, you'll strengthen your response. For example, what was your idea? Why did the group disagree with it? What idea did your team end up going with it, and how did it work out? Use the STAR method to describe the situation, your task/actions, and the end result.

Experience

21. What unique skills would you contribute to our teams?

The Goal

What they're looking for is a convincing sales pitch. To deliver it, not only do you want to sing your praises, but you want to appeal directly to them. Spending some time on their website, you can find a lot of what they are looking for in their business principles. Some unique traits they tout are discipline, operational excellence, building and maintaining efficient systems and operations, and many others. Consider this an opportunity to align your values and motivators with the work culture of their brand. The more tangibles you can deliver, the better.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

This question aims to determine how aligned you are with their core values, mission statements, and value propositions. Convey your like-mindedness and that it will take no time during your onboarding to get up to speed. You want to convey, in principle, that you are already one of them.

JP Morgan Chase's Business Principles are; Overview, Exceptional Client Service, Operational Excellence, A Commitment to Integrity, Fairness and Responsibility, A Great Team and Winning Culture. "Our Culture: We believe that diversity among our employees enables us to be the world-class company we are today. We strive to foster a culture of respect, and are committed to making our workforce, workplace and marketplace diverse, inclusive and accessible for all our employees."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

Also from their business principles; "Foster a spirit of partnership. Respect and learn from your people / team. Ensure that accounting is fair, accurate and transparent. Know the details, commit to follow-ups, and meet deadlines for clients and colleagues."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"I am all about systems implementation. I'm that person who strives to deliver above and beyond quality in my work, then implement procedures that increase quantity without sacrificing quality. So whenever I finish my onboarding, I analyze what I've learned and identify methods to improve my workflow and productivity. Once I feel I've done so, I'll share my method with anyone interested. In my last job, this led to several improved systems for the entire department, which increased our department's productivity threefold."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I am excellent at generating ideas from myself and others in the group, and see the benefit in acting when the proper plan is achieved. I founded, and co-found two clubs in one semester at WCU because I was able to use my drive to push a project to the finish even when things got hard. I was able to talk to my exec for their opinions and ideas to gauge our progress and direction."

Marcie's Feedback

So you are a good idea generator, in addition to being motivated and action-oriented. Awesome! Providing the example of the two clubs you founded is excellent. Now just connect these skills/qualities to the role and explain how they will benefit the company. Great job!

Experience

22. Walk me through your resume.

The Goal

Avoid listing the items on your resume that they can already see. This question offers you an opportunity to delve deeper into your work history than the basic outline detailed in your resume. It is your chance to tell your whole story and highlight those experiences that don't translate as well on paper. Introduce the soft interpersonal skills you possess, and add a human touch to your skills and experience. Discuss your working relationships and how you contributed in other ways to your team, going into the relationships you built at work.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

When researching their website, you'll be able to find language that effectively answers many of the questions posed throughout your interview set. Take note of their language and value statements. Integrate their language into your answers naturally when possible. This will inform them that you've identified them as an ideal match for what you are looking for and already embrace their culture and values.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Answer Example

"Well, starting with my most recent employ and moving backward, as you can see, I rose through the ranks in my department, but I didn't do that on my own. My team was the best team one could hope for..."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I am a finance major and an economics major. I also attended Florida Atlantic where I studied Management with an Entrepreneurial focus. I was approached and joined the Honors program here and also have a minor in civil and professional leadership. I have a mortgage internship, a real estate investments internship, and have worked in the restaurant industry my entire life. I am the former president of the chess club, the former treasurer of the Greek club, and a former analyst for the investment group."

Marcie's Feedback

Wow! You have an impressive background. Consider describing your internship and work experience chronologically and explaining why you chose to pursue them in the first place. And how will this academic, internship, and professional experience enable you to excel in this role? Remind the interviewer of the skills you've gained and how useful these will be within their company. Great job!

Job Satisfaction

23. What motivates you to go the extra mile and put your all into your work?

The Goal

This question aims to evaluate how well your concept of success aligns with theirs. How you answer will provide insights into what fuels your ambition to achieve the professional goals you set for yourself. Discuss the success you plan to bring to this particular position. Scale your accomplishments against the incremental successes of the big picture, going beyond the day-to-day tasks you'd cross off your list.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

Speak sincerely and be confident and relaxed. Going above and beyond should come across as second nature. Keep it natural, speaking with friendly confidence while maintaining eye contact with the camera. Be mindful of your posture and smile with your mouth and your eyes. Keep your body language open and your tone steady, even, and consistent with your statements. Looking at yourself on the screen could be interpreted as looking down, which is a sign of lacking confidence. So practice beforehand until you are comfortable with this interview style, and come across as if you are speaking to a real person.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

When aligning your concept of success with theirs, you'll want to convey your standard is going above and beyond the extra mile. Anyone who is hired by a company effectively becomes a representative of their brand. So, according to their business principles, they expect their employees to "Maintain an intense work ethic to get the job done right. Do it consistently - like exercising or weeding the garden. Work with energy and focus; take responsibility and deliver on commitments. Always fight complacency by analyzing our own actions and our own weaknesses; management should celebrate our successes, but also emphasize the negatives."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"I love what I do, and that motivates me to do my best. I view accomplishing my goals as something of a sport where I am in constant competition with myself. If I don't beat my previous best, my former self wins. If we tie, we tie. So, I consider myself a successful person. I set goals for myself, and I meet those goals. When I haven't set realistic goals, I gauge my success based on how adaptable I am to changing courses or improving my expectations and then redefine my goals to ensure I meet them. Every failure is a growth opportunity. Regarding all my big-picture goals, I take what I learn from my setbacks and apply those lessons toward moving forward. The only true failure is quitting, and I'm not a quitter."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Seeing the sacrifice my ancestors and family laid for me. My dad's side was poor immigrants but worked to the top for us. My mom's side was also less fortunate, but through enterprise were able to make it for themselves and their family. These facts are motivating in literally every walk of life to do 100% in all my pursuits."

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome! Your answer is inspiring. Consider including more details. Where did your father's family come from? What field was your father in, and how did his work ethic push him to succeed? How about on your mother's side? Did you witness anything in particular or have any meaningful conversations with your parents that motivated you to push yourself so hard? And how will your work ethic benefit this company?

Leadership

24. Have you ever mentored or coached someone on your team?

The Goal

Some strive to contribute to the big picture and the team's success. Others strive to develop themselves, driven by their ambitions to accomplish their personal and professional goals. There's nothing wrong with ambitiously trying to climb the ladder. But prioritizing the success of the team displays big-picture thinking. By contributing to the success of the company and the team, you contribute to your success and development.

Here's what JP Morgan says about Leadership on their website, "We Strive to Be Good Leaders.Remember that leadership is an honor and a responsibility. Understand that leadership is personal. Act quickly on tough issues and have the courage to fight for what you believe in. Share your passion to win. Support people who are willing to speak up - encourage constructive challenge. Be fair, be just, be willing to do the right thing - not the easy thing. Challenge the status quo: Fight social, racial and economic inequities. Get the incentives right (but that is not enough; people must feel they are valued and their contributions are important). Be a leader in your community. Strive for continual improvement - drive change and innovation and never stop learning. Help our people take care of themselves - their health and spirit."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

Showing your personality can go a long way, just like in live interviews or phone calls. Even though you are talking to the algorithm, you want to imagine you are speaking to a real person. So try to come across as relaxed as possible, speaking in a level yet enthusiastic tone. Maintain eye contact, and smile softly. You want to have a confident and natural demeanor.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"At my first position at a bank before college, I was an assistant branch manager. I gave the owner a heads-up that I would be leaving in a couple of months. They were grateful that I gave them so much notice. I started training my successor as the new assistant manager. It went well, and in less than a couple of weeks, they were up to speed. My boss assured me I'd be assistant manager until I left, but I told them it would be better if I stepped down and my trainee became my boss. This way, I could back them up, be around to answer questions, and phase out my schedule. I stop in now and again, and they're all doing great."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"At my first internship, I informally was the coach of the younger interns who never worked a day in their lives before and were honestly nervous. I am the oldest sibling of 6 so I am a natural. I was able to show them how to use different online applications, how to speak up when they believe they have valuable information to share, and other general tasks. They were able to receive recognition at the end of the internship and won a medal for "most improved."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! It sounds like you did an excellent job of mentoring and guiding the junior interns. If management interests you, include a sentence at the end of your answer that conveys your excitement to one day manage and train others within this company. Good job!

Organizational

25. What tools or habits do you use to stay organized?

The Goal

Attention to detail is only valuable when accomplishing set goals and meeting deadlines isn't sacrificed for quality. Explain your process for proofing your work for errors while striking a balance between quality and quantity. Items you want to touch on in your answer are your organizational skills and your methodology or approach to project management, the level of your attention to detail, and the standard you set for your work.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

When answering questions about how organized you are, you want your appearance and your personal space to be consistent with the words used to relay your answer. Your personal space is a reflection of your professionalism and work ethic. So make sure you choose a space for your recorded interview that is clear of distractions, is not too cluttered, and is neat, tidy, and organized.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

When describing your work style and ethic, consider how you might already operate by some or all of these business principles, as outlined by JP Morgan Chase; "Ensure that every role, every person and every detail count. Get a little better every day - continually raise the bar. Manage change with deliberate speed. Deliver results; investigate, analyze and improve when problems arise. Anticipate problems, be prepared with solutions."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Answer Example

"I consider myself very adept at tracking my progress on any given task so I can effectively pick up where I left off when the need arises for me to be flexible and needing to change gears. I'm extremely systems oriented in my approach. Whether they're systems implemented for tracking my work or implementing systems for the office that everyone can use, I'm always developing tips and tricks to do the job the right way, right away."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I have become a pro at this. For school, I have every notification and app turned on for assignments and whatnot. I check my email every morning and throughout the day. I also keep a monthly planner where I write my schedule for the day too."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! Reminders, apps, and planners are all great ways to stay organized. Do you keep a to-do list or prioritize projects by urgency and importance? If so, mention this as well. Include an example of a time when your organizational skills helped you complete a challenging or time-sensitive task. Excellent!

Organizational

26. Tell us about a time you had to balance multiple priorities.

The Goal

Multitasking is challenging for most people. How you track your progress and pick up where you left off holds value. Prioritizing tasks based on the big picture instead of short-term goals is a skill. Being singularly focused is also a strength, so long as you can shift gears and exhibit flexibility when the need arises. Talk about the tools and resources you used to plan your work and stay organized.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

Try to make your responses as structured and concise as possible. Avoid rambling or delivering roundabout answers. That is why the STAR method is recommended when structuring your answers. Address each answer by first offering the SITUATION involved with your example. Then move into the TASK this situation required. Then share the ACTION you took and the RESULT of your actions. This method will add structure to your answers.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

In any interview, you want to try to incorporate their language, keywords and phrases, and the core values and principles of their culture into your own. Here are a variety of statements from their business principles that speak about evaluating and balancing priorities. "Be rigorous and detailed, with continuous follow-up. Enforce a good decision-making process and eliminate 'waste of time' meetings. Conduct regular, well-organized and thorough business reviews of functions and controls. Guard the firm's resources; spend the firm's money as if it were your own."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Answer Example

"That depends on the priorities at hand. Flexibility is crucial to success. The goal is to prioritize based on the greater demand for quality versus quantity. Sometimes something's got to give. It's all about striking a balance and consistently hitting the bullseye as often as possible."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Right now is an excellent example. I have many papers, a thesis, and reading to complete, but I also am applying for jobs. Both take dedicated time and effort. This isn't even to mention daily cleaning, cooking, and exercising. Life is all about balance."

Marcie's Feedback

Good example! To strengthen your answer, talk more about how you have managed to balance all of these competing priorities. Do you take time every day to identify which are most urgent and/or important? Do you delegate? Do you keep lists so you can prioritize and stay organized?

Problem Solving

27. If you have 25 horses and no timer, how many races would you have to run to figure out the top five fastest horses?

The Goal

This brain teaser is designed to test and observe your analytical skills in real time. Depending on how you go about teasing apart your answer, it will also help them determine your strengths as an analytical or interpersonal thinker. Try answering the question at home before looking up the answer. Vocalize your answer as you attempt to problem-solve it to practice your communication skills.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

Remember, you want to maintain relaxed and confident body language and facial expressions. When confused or moving into a place of concentration, we tend to furrow our brow or redirect our gaze. However, this could easily be misinterpreted by the algorithm as aggression or frustration. Instead, relax your brow and widen your eyes. Slightly tilt your head and speak slowly.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Answer Example

"To find the fastest, you need to run all 25 horses at least once, and since you can only race five horses at a time, you need a minimum of 25/5 = 5 races. Then you need to compare the winners of these races, which means a 6th race is necessary."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent! Your answer is logical and shows that you can think on your feet. Any interviewer will be impressed. Great job!

Problem Solving

28. Tell us about a time you solved a problem by thinking creatively.

The Goal

The interviewers ask this question to measure your preferred working style and whether it meets their required criteria. They want to know how resourceful you are and whether you exhibit outside-of-the-box thinking. You want your answer to exhibit determination. Demonstrate that you aren't easily discouraged. As they say on their website, "As important as strategy is, we have to execute to win. Execution involves every employee and every contact we have with customers. The devil is in the details. We must act quickly on problems; drive results, not just activities; and ensure detailed follow-up so that we meet our commitments."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

Share how you weigh success and what success means to you across all fronts; short-term goals, long-term goals, and the big picture. Remain objective and confident, keeping your face and posture relaxed and your body language open and at ease. Be mindful of the nonverbal cues of nervous or stressful behavior, such as fidgeting, which could include any small movements of your hands or feet, swaying, shifting your weight, rocking or tilting back in your chair, leaning to one side or the other, straightening and freezing your posture, cradling your neck with one or both hands, crossing your arms, cracking your knuckles or biting your nails.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"Our department was coming in over budget. We'd recently implemented new systems to streamline all our processes and would increase productivity and our quality of work. We knew it would save us money and time over the next few months, but it wouldn't be sustainable unless we made cuts immediately elsewhere. Anticipating this, we cut expenses dramatically across our entire department. But a week later, reports came in; we were still slightly over budget, and something else had to go. Then, I had an idea. We were using an overpriced vendor for our office supplies, and they frequently shipped the wrong products or had significant delivery delays. I knew someone who managed an office supply company, and I was able to negotiate a bulk buyer's discount for our company while cutting out the vendor. Our annual savings provided us with a budget surplus, which allowed us to readjust our company budget in innovative ways."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"West Chester Chess club.

I contacted 100+ people, got people, talk to advisors, took the vote for exec, and was all set to go, but the school says no meeting bc covid, and everyone was sad. I said okay, then we do online meetings, I make an online platform, and everyone was happy, first tournament low turnout, second was higher because I promised cash rewards from my own bank account."

Marcie's Feedback

Wow! It definitely sounds like you put a lot into the club and making it successful. It also sounds like you solve problems creatively. How did the second tournament turn out? Did your out-of-the-box idea work?

Stress

29. How do you manage your stress?

The Goal

Any hiring process is costly for any employer, considering the payroll hours invested in screening applicants, interviewing, onboarding, and training. If they're short-staffed, other employees may pick up the slack and burn out faster. That affects morale and decreases productivity. So it is incumbent on those handling the rigorous selection process to do their due diligence in ensuring the person they choose.

This question evaluates how well you can handle stress. How you answer this question will offer insights into how you cope with stress at work or home. If an employee is stressed at work, they'll burn out faster. They might bring more stress home from work, not sleep well, and not perform at their best. A person who is stressed in their personal life will often bring their issues into work, negatively affecting their performance. So they're ascertaining your natural ability to balance these two spheres. So this question aims to reveal how you achieve balance without being governed by chaos.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

This question aims to gauge how well you cope with stress. The assessment vendor will screen you on your non-verbal cues, facial expressions, eye movements, body movements, tells and posture, and the nuances of tone and choice of words. More often than not, when a person recalls stressful situations, they'll revert to the emotional state of stress of that situation. Consider this when you aim to convey that you keep calm under pressure. Practice and meditate on those moments where you acted decisively and drove success for your teams. Reflecting on your best moments, convey how you manage your stress in those best of times. Focus on the pride of that moment and let your confidence and emotional maturity shine.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

When one is able to manage their stress rather than allowing their stress to govern them, they are able to remain productive, keep up the pace, and work well under pressure. Here's what JP Morgan Chase says about their culture in this regard; "Eventually, it all comes down to people. Creating a winning team and self-sustaining culture takes hard work, and there is no substitute for it. Teams do not win because they have a new stadium or the most attractive uniforms. Some of the best teams do not even have the most talented individual athletes. Teams succeed because they are disciplined, work well together, execute consistently and have a passion to win."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Experienced Example

"Life is full of stressful situations. But you should never let the stress get the best of you. If you respond to the stress and not the situation, you end up more stressed and less able to solve the problem. I try to identify and diffuse stress triggers immediately and explore the reality behind the perception that triggered that stress response. That helps me overcome stress or task paralysis and allows me more flexibility to develop a plan. Stressful situations are sometimes avoidable, sometimes not. But gaining insights on how to limit their frequency or duration is how I cope with stress. I deal with stress by being mindful to respond rather than react."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Stress is, at the scientific level, cortisol. It is not inherently bad, in fact, we would not be here without it. I know these things because I was a bio major. That being said, stress is a tool. It is good for motivating us and keeping us alert. Too much is not good, it can lead to poor decisions and poor health. It is important to eat well daily, breathe properly, be in motion, etc"

Marcie's Feedback

Great! It sounds like you have a good perspective on stress and recognize that it can be a positive if kept under control. How exactly do you alleviate stress? Do you work out, listen to music, or socialize with friends? Talk more about this so the interviewer knows that you will be capable of handling their high-stress work environment. Good job!

Teamwork

30. Tell us about a time you had to work with an underperforming teammate.

The Goal

This question aims to reveal your attitude toward such sensitive situations. It will determine whether you focus on the team's welfare or approach the situation with frustration and corrective action. The interviewer wants to know how you handled such situations and your reasoning for bringing attention to the situation. In your example, share how you prioritize the welfare of your coworkers and the needs of the team while working in the interest of all involved parties.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

What You Need to Know

Objectify the situation, exhibiting an emotionally mature perspective, and explain how you navigated this terrain, ultimately leading to a successful resolution. Nonverbal cues for empathy are slightly tilting your head, nodding slowly, keeping your palms open, maintaining eye contact, smiling softly, and slightly raising your eyebrows. Posture yourself in a relaxed and comfortable position. Focus on the positives and how the overall outcome benefitted the team.

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Focus Your Answer On

Try to embrace the ideology and culture of JP Morgan chase. "Supporting Our People - We're proud of the culture we've created. And we're continually investing in new ways to develop all of our people to enable them to grow and succeed throughout their careers. We build teamwork, loyalty and morale. Know your people well; put them in the right jobs and assess them honestly. Make people decisions based on merit. Deal with people issues; take action with non-performers. Recognize that teamwork can mean both getting along and having the courage to stand alone and do the right thing"

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Answer Example

"I had a co-worker who seemed to be struggling. They seemed sleep-deprived, and their attention to detail wasn't what it once was. I tried to talk to them about it, but they weren't forthcoming about what was going on. I reviewed their work to help them and fixed a lot of mistakes. It got so bad that I decided it was time to bring it to the attention of my supervisor. They pulled us both outside and gave me a chance to speak first. It turns out they had some pretty serious health issues. They didn't want to miss work because they needed to maintain their hours to continue getting their health benefits. That's when our supervisor told us they had a program for situations like this and that they wouldn't lose their benefits for missing work."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 5th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"This happens very often in the restaurant industry. Sometimes, it is because they simply have a bad attitude which I am less inclined to be sympathetic to. Mostly, though, it is because they are just under the curve. I would always help fellow servers when they were "in the weeds", it is your job to help your team when you can and as often as possible."

Marcie's Feedback

Can you provide an example with more specifics? Talk about a time when you helped a fellow server and explain exactly what you did to help them improve. Adding more details will make your answer more meaningful and memorable to the interviewer. Great job!