28 Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited Interview Questions & Answers
1. Have you ever run into a situation where a company had a positive cash flow but was still in critical financial trouble?
How to Answer
At the heart of this question, your interviewer is looking to dive in and take a look at your critical thinking skills. While positive cash flow is usually a very good sign of a company's overall ability to settle its debts and handle future financial challenges, there are some situations where all isn't as it seems when looking at a company with a positive cash flow. Whether you have run into this situation or not, it is important for you to point out that you are aware of situations where a positive cash flow can be misleading.
1st Answer Example
"If hired for this position, you can rest assured that I know all considerations necessary when looking at cash flow for an organization when determining their overall financial health. A cash flow statement can often show positive cash flow when they take on new cash from loans or long-term debt. While these items do show up as positive on the cash flow, they don't accurately reflect the profitability of the organization."
2nd Answer Example
"I have come across this situation with a company that was selling off a large chunk of inventory. At the same time, the company was delaying their payables. This showed a very skewed positive cash flow but the real story behind the curtains showed a company that was in serious trouble of keeping its doors open."
2. What tools do you currently use to help you be a more efficient and effective Business Analyst?
How to Answer
While the tools that Business Analyst use can vary greatly between industries and even companies, your interviewer is looking to get the sense that you are a resourceful employee that has a good working knowledge of many different types of software programs. While being honest in your answer, try to show diversity in your answer by talking about data specific software, word processing software, presentation software and any other programs that you see fit for this role with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited.
1st Answer Example
"Being very computer proficient, I consider myself an expert on the Microsoft products like Excel, PowePoint, Access and Outlook to help perform my job effectively. As well, I have very good knowledge of SQL databases as well. If hired here at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, are there any standard software products that I would be required to work on and learn?"
2nd Answer Example
"In recent years, my department has started using Tableau and it has been amazing with its ability to visualize data for our internal and external customers. I've had many hours of training within the program that was tuned for business analytics and I can't say enough good things about the program. On top of Tableau, I also use Microsoft Excel and Crystal Reports on a regular basis."
User-Submitted Answer
"Being very computer proficient, I consider myself an expert on the Microsoft products like Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook to help perform my job effectively. As well, I have a very good knowledge of SQL databases as well. If hired here at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, are there any standard software products that I would be required to work on and learn?"
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
Great response--it sounds like you are well-versed in a variety of technical tools and databases.
3. Pretend an old friend just awoke from a coma that lasted over 30 years. How would you describe the internet to them?
How to Answer
A common tactic used in interviews for Risk Analysts is making you think on your feet. This brain teaser question, or any similar to it, will judge your thoughts processes to come up with an answer rather than what your final answer is as this is a very open ended question. As you provide an answer to this question, make sure that you explain why you are coming up with your answer and your thought process behind them. A solid thought process on your end shows that you can be analytical and while creatively solving problems using your critical thinking skills.
1st Answer Example
"Just like my role as a Risk Analyst, the most important thing that I could do in this situation would be to relate it to everyday things that the person would be familiar with. I would explain that the internet is a combination of television, mail, telephone, the local library and an old computer all put into one place. Each one of those components would help explain things like email, YouTube and all of the other life altering things about the internet. To really throw them for a loop at the end to blow their mind, I'd have to let them know that their local grocery store is also available too!"
2nd Answer Example
"I think that the best way to make it easy to understand would be to start explaining it in its simplest format and then expand from there. I'd draw two neighboring houses and show how the computers in each house can connect to send electronic mail, pictures, videos and information to each other. Then, I'd expand this out over the entire world where we are all connected with all of the feature of the internet. A simplified approach like this is also necessary in our work as Risk Analysts in the financial arena and it really helps people grasp new and very complicated things quickly."
4. In this role as a Risk Analyst with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, you will be expected to be the expert on changes in financial regulations that impact our business. How do you keep yourself up to speed on these changes currently?
How to Answer
In a rapidly changing field like finance, you are expected to keep up with the changes at the snap of a finger and to gauge your ability to do this, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you will have the resources needed. Talk about the groups or publications that you belong to where you get imperative news on the field. If possible, use an example of a time where you shed light to your organization on a new risk from one of those publications. As well, don't hesitate to mention that you enjoy reading and learning new things in the field.
1st Answer Example
"I have been a CFA member for over five years now and I really look forward to the quarterly CFA Digest publication, the CFA Magazine and their news brief email that comes out daily . I find these are great resources that cover things ranging from daily news that impacts our work lives to very big picture studies and findings as published in the digest. If hired for this role, I would continue to be an active CFA member and would continue to utilize their resources for my work."
2nd Answer Example
"As a risk professional, I have been a member of the Global Association of Risk Professionals for many years. I have been certified by the association for Financial Risk Management and I try to attend their national conference every year to network and learn from other professionals. The FRM group has enable me to keep on the forefront of changes in the financial management that impacts risk on an almost daily basis and the group helps me live and breath financial risk every day."
5. As a Business Analyst at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, you will be tasked with working with diverse teams of stakeholders on different projects. How do you handle stakeholders that are difficult and bullheaded?
How to Answer
Leading a project team will put you in front of many differing personalities and you need to have the ability to work with every type of personality to be successful in this role at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited. While your interviewer may not be telling you that you will work with a difficult person because they know of a few, they're more looking to see how you utilize your communication and problem solving skills to make the situation better for everyone. As you answer this question, feel free to use an example from the past that highlights how you used your interpersonal skills to work effectively with a difficult person on a project team.
1st Answer Example
"Honestly, one of the things that I love the most about being a Business Analyst is the mix of people that I get to work with and if I took an honest look back over time, I'd say that every team that I was a part of had at least one difficult person to work with. In those situations, I rely on an empathetic approach that really tries to narrow down what makes that person tick on the job. With that knowledge in hand, I can then touch them in a relatable manner and even provide them with work that suits their needs the best."
2nd Answer Example
"Just recently, an executive with my company was the final decision maker and stakeholder on a sales project and she had some very unrealistic expectations for the project from the start and she wasn't afraid to let me know. To best handle this situation, I listened to all of her thoughts on the project and asked a lot of follow up questions to get her sense of the project. After that, I asked for a couple of days to rework some design of the project. When we had our follow up meeting, I educated her on a few legal aspects of the project that wouldn't fit into her mold. She thanked me for the insight and we were off on the right path from there."
User-Submitted Answer
"I have the ability to work with every type of personality; an honest look back over time, I'd say that every team that I was a part of had at least one difficult person to work with. To best handle this situation, I listened to all of their thoughts on the project and asked a lot of follow-up questions to get their sense of the project. After that, I asked for a couple of days to rework some designs."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
Great response! You clearly have had experience working with a variety of individuals, and you provide an impactful example to show how you approach successful collaboration.
6. Are you familiar with KYC and how it impacts our business at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited?
How to Answer
Prior to your interview, it is important to know and understand the principles of KYC. To start, KYC stands for Know Your Customer and these are steps taken by financial institutions to establish customer identity and understand the nature of the customer's activity to further assess money laundering risks with that customer. For your answer to this question, give your interviewer the sense that you know the basic premise of KYC and how it impacts your work that you do while also highlighting the important elements of a KYC program like customer identification and ongoing monitoring.
1st Answer Example
"Over the recent years, my work as a Financial Advisor has moved to heavy load of phone and online work and steps in customer identification have included things I needed to be cognizant of. Even though I know even the fine details of my clients' voices, I must have clients confirm personal information over the phone before discussing details with them. This personal info can include full names, date of birth, address and social security number. Because money laundering and identity theft have become so prevalent in the past ten years, I take these important steps in my work very seriously."
2nd Answer Example
"I am very familiar with the Know Your Customer ethical guidelines in financial advising and have received a lot of formal training surrounding it. When opening new accounts for clients and maintaining them down the road, the KYC Rule 2090 is essential for me and my firm to keep records of facts on each customer and know if any other people have the authority to act on the customer's behalf regarding their finances. I love the fact that the KYC standards have helped build robust client profiles within our systems and these help make my financial decisions with them much better."
User-Submitted Answer
"To establish customer identity and understand the nature of the customer's activity to further assess money laundering risks with that customer; customer identification and ongoing monitoring."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
It sounds like you are well-acquainted with KYC as a system!
7. Talk to me about a challenging situation you had to handle on the job that involved another colleague. How did you handle that situation?
How to Answer
At the heart of this question, your interviewer is looking to hear how you use solid interpersonal and relationship building skills to diffuse a difficult situation with a coworker when on the job. No matter what situation that you talk about, make sure to focus your answer on a positive mindset and the steps that you walked through to turn a potentially hazardous situation into a good one. As well, talk about lessons learned from that situation that you keep with you to this day on the job.
1st Answer Example
"A couple of years ago, we had hired a new Junior Advisor on to our team and I was tasked with being his mentor. Having mentored several other thriving Junior Advisors prior to him starting, I was excited for the opportunity. Within the first week of him being on the job, I overheard a colleague of mine talking very openly about his disdain for the hire of this new Advisor and witnessing him personally criticizing him in a face-to-face encounter. Immediately, I spoke to my colleague in a private office about my concern over his actions and words towards the new Advisor. Having been a part of the interview process and his early mentorship, I knew that he had the skills to succeed and I reiterated that to my colleague. After agreeing to back off on any private criticizing of the new Advisor and a promise to help mentor him, I learned that direct conversations are the best way to handle workplace conflicts."
2nd Answer Example
"f"A couple of years ago, I approached a colleague that had missed a deadline or a big audit we were conducting and she completely blew up at my during our conversation. At first, I was very taken aback by her response because I had never witnessed that from her in many years of working together. While remaining calm, I allowed her the opportunity to vent to me and it turns out that she was going through a lot of things in her personal life that were impacting her work. While keeping our project deadlines in mind, I also took a personal approach in letting her know that she could bring these issues to me as both a colleague and a friend and we could work through them together in the future. This approach is vital to any conflicts that can arise with colleagues and one I don't hesitate to take when needed."
User-Submitted Answer
"unable to meet the deadline; personal issues, etc"
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
It sounds like you have a specific instance in mind. To develop your response, share a little about what happened, how you handled the situation, and what the outcome was.
8. How do you believe your coworkers would describe you?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know how you are seen by your colleagues. Select approximately three words that truly define who you are. Be sure to choose words that radiate positive thoughts!
1st Answer Example
"I believe that my coworkers, if asked, would describe me as a reliable person who is always ready to submit the best work possible. My work ethic has never been questioned, and I am very proud with the work that I have submitted in my career, so far."
2nd Answer Example
"Here are some other great keywords you could use:
- Encouraging
- Caring
- Knowledgeable
- Reliable
- Focused
- Honest
- Assertive
- Tenacious
- Motivated
- Ambitions
- Conscientious"
User-Submitted Answer
"motivated, positive/encouraging, passionate/hard working"
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
Excellent traits! If you have a specific example to share of when/how you exemplify these traits at work, that would strengthen your response. For example: My co-workers would describe me as positive and encouraging. I'm the person who's hyping up the office when we've had a tough day, and I often check in on my co-workers just to make sure they're doing okay.
9. As a consultant here at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, you will have the opportunity to work with many accounting departments on tax filing for their business. When called upon, how would you go about verifying the accuracy of an ac
How to Answer
No matter the size of the business and their accounting department, human error can lead to costly mistakes down the road if accuracy is not verified on the financial statements and books of a company that you would be consulting in this role. In your answer, talk specifically about your methods for verifying data entry and make it clear to your interviewer that this a step that you do not take lightly or overlook.
1st Answer Example
"In any tax consulting project, data verification and sampling is of utmost importance to me and a step I would ensure happens with every client here at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited. Depending on the accounting and finance department's books and how they are kept, my data verification could be as simple as printing documents and verifying samples against filed information or running the data verification through a program. I have extensive experience running both methods of data verification and wouldn't hesitate to use either with the clients here."
2nd Answer Example
"I fully realize that my work in advising businesses on their tax filings comes down to verifying their income statements, balance sheet and cash flow statements. To verify, I would have to work with leaders in reconciling their financial statements with bank records, credit card statement, invoices, receipts and any other documents that show physical proof on financial statements. Realizing that this can sometimes be a difficult task with businesses that don't keep accurate records, have segregated finance departments or multiple physical locations, I would leave no stone unturned in this initial verification process with your clients."
10. If hired for this position at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, what factors would you consider part as part of an organization's long-term liability?
How to Answer
To begin for this question, make sure that you can define a long-term liability as obligations that are due beyond one year and into the future. Then, consider major factors like bonds, mortgages, leases and other items that factor in to an organization's long-term liability. Last, try to explain why the measurement of long-term liabilities are important is an important factor in considering the overall financial health of an organiation.
Answer Example
"While long-term liabilities aren't an immediate issue on a companies working capital, the can become an issue if long-term liabilities pile up too high for some organizations. While often overlooked, items like mortgages, fleet vehicle loans and annuities can add up over time and are always items that I consider when looking at the overall health of an organization."
11. Give an example of a time that you had to resolve a difficult situation with a client or customer. What were the keys to coming to a successful solution?
How to Answer
In a front facing role with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited where you will be interacting with clients on a daily basis, your interviewer wants to be ensured that you have the skills to resolve client issues with ease and they'll look to do so with this question. In your answer, let your interviewer know that you can take ownership of any situation by talking about a specific time where you did what was necessary to alleviate a difficult situation with a client. Talk about the resources that you used and your interpersonal skills that helped turn a potentially bad situation into a successful one.
1st Answer Example
"Having worked in customer service for one of the areas largest auto dealership for the last six years, handling difficult customers was a situation I had to learn to handle pretty quickly. Just a few weeks ago, I was covering our front desk on a Saturday afternoon when our sales staff was still open for business. I recognized the person approaching the door as a customer that had recently purchased a new vehicle. He stormed through the door, placed his keys on the counter in front of me and said that he demanded a refund on his new purchase because the check engine light had already come on inside of the car. Knowing off the top of my head that his new vehicle was under a full warranty, I calmly let him know that his car was under warranty and that I'd have a member of our sales staff come out and take a quick look. I also let him know that our service department was not working that afternoon and, if needed, we could schedule him for a diagnostic test at his earliest convenience. After our salesman went out to take a quick look and not seeing anything obvious, we ended up giving him a loaner vehicle so his new car could be taken care of on Monday morning. He ended up leaving pretty happy that day and I know that my patience in hearing him out really helped."
2nd Answer Example
"A couple of years ago, I was asked to work with a very high profile client for his financial advising services when he came to our firm because my CEO trusted I could handle what he felt would be a difficult task. From my first meeting with the client, he demanded that we provide more returns than the previous firm that he worked with and he was rather rude with our front desk staff. I took the approach of taking the time to listen to his needs and speak to him more about what my firm could provide. I laid out my experience and track record for him to help him build his trust in me. I knew that with him, I would need to take time to walk through my decision making processes for his investments and he really appreciated that. As of today, we are still working strong together and his wealth is growing."
User-Submitted Answer
"You have the skills to resolve client issues.
I know that my patience in hearing him out really helped."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
Patience and problem-solving skills are both crucial skill sets! To adequately answer this question, you should focus on a specific time when you had a resolve a difficult situation with a customer. What was the situation? What steps did you take to come to a solution? What was the outcome?
12. What tools of the trade do you find most useful in your work as a Trader?
How to Answer
As part of your interview for the Trader position with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, your interviewer will be looking to get a sense that you are very resourceful in your approach to studying the market and other assets so their clients can benefit the most from your approach to trading. As you answer this question, try to be as diverse as possible as you talk about your approach to gaining insightful information that will best suit your clients. Make sure that your interviewer walks away knowing that you know and enjoy the Wall Street Journal just as much as you enjoy different websites and software available to you in your work.
Answer Example
"I pride myself in saying that my career is my passion and this started at a young age back in a high school economics class. Since that year, I've subscribed to an read publications like the Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine and Barron's. All of these publications still help me to this day to stay on top of my game in the trading business. I also don't hesitate to utilize some of the more reputable online and software programs. Elite Trader and Daily Stocks are great sites that I check daily for new industry news. As well, I'm very proficient in my use of Matlab to analyze market data for use in buying and selling stocks."
13. What is your familiarity with debt-to-equity ratios and what would you consider a good debt-to-equity ratio?
How to Answer
For this question, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you understand the basics of calculating a debt-to-equity ratio and why it is used. In your answer, be sure that you talk about the ratiosd importance in considering debt financing. As well, if you have familiarity with ifferent industries and what is considered a reasonable ratio for each industry, be sure to talk about that as well because what is considered reasonable can differ widely between industries.
1st Answer Example
"I am very familiar with debt-to-equity ratio calculations and know that ratios lower than 1.0 are desired to consider a firm financially stable. When I've worked with ratios exceeding 1.0, I've provided further examinations of the industry and the organizations stance within the industry to further determine their overall risk to hopefully provide a win-win situation."
2nd Answer Example
"Simply put, the debt-to-equity ratio is found with two easy figures found on a company's balance sheet: their total liabilities and shareholder equity. Swaying away from the norm, I know that the financial and banking industries often have to consider debt-to-equity ratios higher than 2.0 to be common and acceptable due to the large amounts of loaned money and high financial leverage by those institutions. "
User-Submitted Answer
"Ratios lower than 1.0 are desired to consider a firm financially stable."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
It sounds like you have some great content knowledge in this area! I suggest developing your response a bit further to add additional specifics and why you consider this to be a good debt-equity ratio.
14. As a Trader with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, you will be trusted to take a very diverse approach with our clients. How would you explain the limitations of using solely a P/E Ratio approach to purchasing stock to a client?
How to Answer
Oftentimes, clients at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited will come to the table with the expectation that a single market metric will be the determining factor in their investment decisions. Your job as the Trader may be to educate them on the potential dangers of that approach and this question will be used to test your ability to do that. When answering and giving the specific limitation of the P/E Ratio approach, be sure to talk about the importance of weighing several factors in any investment decision.
1st Answer Example
"One aspect that I really love about working as a Trader is client interaction and using my knowledge and skills to help educate them in building towards a solid financial future. When I've had clients that tried to educated themselves that bring up P/E Ratios, I will commend that ratio for being an accurate predictor when used in the right context, but I'll also point out that the ratio is only effective when looking at companies within the same industry. That can be useful when I know that an upsurge in a sector like energy will occur, but its not useful when looking at companies within the market as a whole. This is my opportunity to bring new insight into the equation when helping clients."
2nd Answer Example
"While the P/E ration of a company can be effective at times, I would explain to a client that the ratios use of hard data from the past is not always to most accurate predictor of where things will go in the future for them. As well, if the ratio is using projected earnings like in a forward P/E, there is not a guarantee that the estimates used will be accurate."
15. Customer service is the name of our game at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited. If hired for this role, how would you be able to provide the best customer service possible to our clients?
How to Answer
While following all of the steps of a mortgage process and handling client inquiries along the way is the foundation to success in this position, you will be relied on to provide the best customer service possible to all clients because the mortgage section at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited is just one small piece of the pie in their business. If a client feels like they weren't handled with respect and compassion, they could take all of their business elsewhere and see an impact financially because of it. To show that you can provide top-notch customer service in this role, talk about how you provide a personalized experience for the clients you work with and talk about the interpersonal skills you possess that make this possible.
1st Answer Example
"With any customer that I work with, I take the time to get to know them and listen to their thoughts, concerns and questions right from the start. I like to hold what I call an intake session to listen to all of these things. After hearing each customer out, I then talk about what I can do to alleviate their concerns and answer their questions right from the start. From that point forward, my customer service skills go the extra mile by staying in constant communication with my clients through either email or phone because I feel that over communication is important right from the start. As human, we have a desire to know what is happening all of the time and I make time to do this for my clients. Last, my customer service starts and ends with a positive attitude and a smile on my face. I take pride in being a front facing representative of my company and work my tail off to ensure that customers know that my company is there for them."
2nd Answer Example
"In my experience, provide the best customer service comes down to doing the little things right. While often overlooked by some in our industry, a smiling face and simple conversations to get to know your customers can go a long way towards building a foundation for a great long-term relationship and I don't take these little things lightly. Even though I may be experiencing a huge workload or stress somewhere else on the job, I am focused and happy when I am face to face or on the phone with the client. At those times, they deserve 100% of my attention and focus and they get that every single time."
User-Submitted Answer
"Research, meeting prep is essential; listen to their thoughts, concerns, and questions right from the start -> address these points; over communication is important right from the start. positive attitude and a smile on my face; putting myself in someone's shoe! Be genuine."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
You share a lot of positive qualities here that equate to great customer service! To deepen your response, I suggest providing a brief example of a time when you provided great customer service. (What was the situation? What did excellent customer service look like?)
16. At Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, our clients are the lifeblood of our business and we do everything in our power to make them happy. What does the term customer service mean to you in your work?
How to Answer
No matter what position you are interviewing for at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, your interviewer is looking to hear what customer service means to you in your work and how you apply that philosophy in your everyday work life. In essence, they want to hear your story as to why solid customer service is important to you. Prior to your interviewer, be sure to really think about this question to apply what is important to you in how you go about your work. Whether you talk about problem solving or making people happy, this should be reflected in the work that you do.
1st Answer Example
"A pursuit of a career in the financial field really suited my two passions in life of mathematics and problem solving. In this role, helping clients solve problems in an efficient manner and with a smile on my face would be the drive to succeed that I need. At the end of the day, if I see that my work helped a client grow their wealth and achieve their financial goals, I know that it was a job well done."
2nd Answer Example
"As a people person by nature, I have an innate ability to do what is needed to give customers the best experience possible when I'm working with them. This means that I reflectively listen to their needs and concerns and do what is necessary to help them based on what I heard. In my interactions with customers, I am positive, pleasant and nurturing by nature and I've found that customers are very receptive to my style off communication with them. If hired for this role at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, you'll quickly find that dedicated customer service is one of top qualities that I will bring to you team."
User-Submitted Answer
"Pursuit of a career in the financial field suited my two passions in the life of mathematics and problem-solving. In this role, helping clients solve problems in an efficient manner would be the drive to succeed that I need. At the end of the day, if I see that my work helped a client grow sustainably and achieve their financial and decarbonization goals, I will feel satisfied."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
This response clearly outlines your passions and fit for the role. To improve your response, I suggest including a specific example of what excellent customer service has looked like for you in a previous role. How do you go the extra mile? (Be specific!)
17. When would an investment in commodities make sense for a client that you were working with?
How to Answer
Prior to your interview, it is important to prepare for very market specific questions like this one where your interviewer will be looking to get a sense that you have the knowledge about particular markets like commodities, annuities and private equities. When you answer a question like this, try to give your interviewer an answer that shows that you understand the basic details of the market, when it is useful and what its downsides are to prove that you know situations where it can be very beneficial to a potential client.
1st Answer Example
"In my experience, commodities have made the most sense to use as a hedge when I am concerned about a potential upcoming crisis. I've utilized the gold market at times and it was very effective during the recession back in 2008. Gold prices have always tended to rise when the markets fell and some very high profile clients I worked with at that time were very pleased with their results while others lost a substantial amount in the market."
2nd Answer Example
"Commodities are always an interesting consideration because of their spectacular performance at times. But, because they don't receive dividends and aren't a great hedge bet over time, there are only a few scenarios where I utilize them. Crude oil markets are a great example of a short term buy in commodities when a production increase or decrease is announced."
18. If hired for this role with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, how would you handle a large workload of clients working through a mortgage process?
How to Answer
At the heart of this question, your interviewer is looking to find out how you manage a busy workload by having you talk about your organization skills on the job. In your answer, talk about the skills you have and the tools that you use to stay organized and on-track while handling a large workload. Don't hesitate to talk about the software programs that you use and any other tactics that you use to ensure that all deadlines are met and no issues occur with clients because of too large of a workload. In the end, your interviewer wants to walk away from this question knowing that you'll be able to provide top notch service to the clients of Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited.
1st Answer Example
"In my current role, I'm able to handle a very large workload with my ability to stay organized on the job. If you could take a tour of my office, you'd see that I maintain a neat and clean desk with a very organized file cabinet of my current workload. If I need to shift gears and move on to work with another client, I can easily access information on the fly and keep moving. I also utilize my Outlook calendar to set deadline reminders to stay on track of closing deadlines and paperwork requirements and the tasks function within the program helps me stay right on track with all of my clients I am working with at a given time."
2nd Answer Example
"During my time working a large client load as a mortgage consultant, my success was due to my efficiency and organization on the job. If hired for this role with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, my efficiency would be very high because of my experience with the entire mortgage loan closing process and my ability to handle certain challenges quickly with that experience. From there, my organizational skills within the loan process software I have experience with kick in to help me keep each client on track with their loan process."
User-Submitted Answer
"My ability to stay organized on the job; utilize my Outlook calendar to set deadline reminders to stay on track of closing deadlines and paperwork requirements."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
This is a great start! I suggest also including any internal systems that you've created to keep yourself organized (example: Trello, Asana, or another project management tool, a scheduling app, color coding, etc.)
19. At Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, our clients look to us to help find new and creative ways to save tax dollars. Have you ever had a unique situation where you helped an organization save tax dollars through your work and insight?
How to Answer
Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited is a trusted advisor to their clients on their corporate and small business taxes and your potential work in this position will put you in a position to be creative with your clients. Prior to your interview, think of a time in your work history where you can demonstrate the situation for the organization and came up with a creative tax savings solution for them. Upon answering this question, make sure that your interviewer walks away from your time together knowing that you have the ability to create solutions for clients that make a real difference.
1st Answer Example
"Last year, I was working with an upstart small business in New York that employed around 20 people. Hearing that a big burden for him was providing health care coverage, which he chose to do to hire and retain great staff, I educated him on the savings he could see in starting an HSA associated with a high deductible plan. In the end, this plan was a win for the owner to see a ton of tax savings and the employees benefited with a great plan where the business was contributing towards their HSA on a yearly basis."
2nd Answer Example
"When working with corporation on tax advising issues, I always walk through business expenditures with a fine toothed comb because how large expenditures are claimed can really make or break taxes for years to come. When working with a client a few years ago, I noticed that they were deducting full costs up front when the depreciation method would have worked out much better for them in their financial situation. The only thing it took to convince them was a simple educational meeting."
20. In this role with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, we will rely on your organized and methodical approach to provide financial analysis reporting. What does your current reporting process consist of?
How to Answer
Providing the clients of Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited with detailed reports will be a key part of this position and your interviewer will be looking to gauge your ability to be organized and detailed while also utilizing your critical thinking skills to provide the best reports possible. In your answer, keep a focus on the techniques and tools that you use to do your job in ensuring that clients are receiving the most accurate and detailed reports possible. As well, let your interviewer know that you are willing to learn new ways and new technologies to help onboard yourself to their team quicker.
1st Answer Example
"In my current role, I utilize the Tableau program to provide live, up to date information to my clients. After using a simply built Excel program for many years, Tableau provides beautiful and easy to understand reporting that my clients can take and run with to make important decision. The connections and automations within the program have save me time and effort, allowing me to take on a much more robust client base. If hired for this role here at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, I also have familiarity with SAS and Spotfire and consider myself a very quick learner if I need to learn a new program."
2nd Answer Example
"When I need to provide reporting to clients or my firm, I ensure that the reporting includes all key risks and valuation. Today, we as Financial Analysts have so many great tools available to us and my current preference is a statistical program like Crystal Ball. When paired with the advance Excel sheets that I have created, and have been commended, my clients are always happy with the insight that I am able to provide."
21. What is the most attractive thing in your eyes about this role with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited?
How to Answer
For this question, your interviewer is looking to gain insight into what you know and like about Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited and how they will be able to help you meet your career goals. In your answer, try and stay focused on the alignment of your values with the organization's values and demonstrate that you've done your research on Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited and the job you are interviewing for. To try and maintain positivity in your answer, try not to talk bad about a previous employer as that can make you sound like a difficult employee and raise a red flag for your interviewer.
1st Answer Example
"Over the past couple of years, I've had an eye on pursuing a career with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited because of your reputation as a forward moving financial institution and your commitment to the communities that you do business in. As a person that believes in togetherness and helping others out where possible, these are values that I hold very high and would bring to the team here."
2nd Answer Example
"As I enter the midway point of my career, my job search has been focused on finding an employer that I can spend the rest of my career with and someday retire from. Looking at the history, culture and growth of Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, this is definitely a place that I'd love to be a part of as you continue to grow and prosper into the future."
User-Submitted Answer
"Since NatRes I've had an eye on pursuing a career with Macquarie AM because of your reputation and own sustainability approach-
coal approach; active encouragement; 1/ Meeting the need for more renewable energy - not the availability of capital but the availability of projects; 2/ Restlessly optimistic and curious; empowering people to innovate and invest for a better future."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
Great response; this shows that you've done your research and understand the role and the values of the company.
22. We are looking for the most motivated individuals to join the team here at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited. Where would you like your career to take you in the next five to ten years?
How to Answer
This common interview question put you in a tough spot where you should talk about your ultimate career goals while also balancing the needs of the position that you are interviewing for and the needs of Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited. Prior to your interviewer, try to research the job and Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited to the point where you can match your career goals with they Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited offers. While your interviewer is looking for a long-term fit for the position they are interviewing you for, it is okay to set your sights higher as long as your goals meet that of the organization's goals. If at all possible during your answer, point out that long-term success with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited is vitally important to you.
1st Answer Example
"Now that I am to the midway point of my career, I am looking for my next move to be my final move in finding my work home until I retire. As a successful Financial Advisor today, I want to focus on continuing to grow my skills in advising clients on retirement and private wealth management and it sounds like I'll have that opportunity here at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited. As I continue to grow in my skills and prove my worth to you, a long-term career goal is to be in management where I could oversee the work of Junior Advisors and mentor them towards success."
2nd Answer Example
"A career in risk analysis has been a dream for some time and this opportunity with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited is really my dream job. If hired here, my goal for the next five to ten years would be to continue to hone my skills and help the work of the department to a point where it is growing and becoming more effective. Down the road, I'm really in a position to be an open book when it comes to where my career with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited would go from there."
User-Submitted Answer
"If hired here, my goal for the next five to ten years would be to continue to hone my skills and help the work of the department to a point where it is growing and becoming more effective."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
You have a great start here! To improve the impact of your response, I suggest being more specific and measurable with your goals. What specific skills are you working to hone? What specific growth goals do you have for the department? This response requires specific and measurable goals.
23. Talk about your experience in mortgage loan closing. How would this experience be beneficial to our team here at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited?
How to Answer
As a Loan Consultant with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, you will be tasked with guiding clients through the complete mortgage process. This will include seeking the best funds available, completing paperwork and seeing the loan through to closing for them. For this question, your interviewer can a good sense of your experience by taking a look at your resume, but they're looking to get more details on your mortgage closing experience by having you talk in detail. Be sure to discuss your specific experience and tie what you can to this specific role with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited.
1st Answer Example
"As you can see from my resume, my current role involves a lot of detail in the loan closing process for the customers that I work with. I assemble and prepare closing documents and coordinate the details of the closing process when all terms of the sale are met. In this role with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, I think that my hands on approach that I currently take with my customers would suit your clients well because I take the time to work with them one-on-one and never hesitate to provide top notch customer service to any person that I'm working with."
2nd Answer Example
"Having been in the mortgage business for over ten years, I have a vast amount of experience in seeking personalized mortgage options for clients and walking them through the entire loan process. I am familiar with the processing of necessary loan closing documents in several state and know all of the fine details that are required to ensure that there are no hiccups in the process for clients. This experience would allow me to hit the ground running in this role here at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited."
24. How would you define what working capital is for a company and what does its measurement mean?
How to Answer
As a Financial Analyst with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, you will be asked to help measure working capital of organizations. In your definition that you provide to your interviewer, ensure that you give them at least the basic definition of the calculation being current assets minus current liabilities. Then, talk about real situations that you've used the measurement to make critical decisions in the work that you've done in the past. This will confirm with your interviewer that you have the ability to use the measurement in this job.
1st Answer Example
"In my current role, we measure working capital to gauge the ability of a company to pay off its debts quickly. In working with many industries, from retails to the public sector, the determination of a company's ability to do so based on calculation can differ greatly from industry to industry. To calculate, a range of line items from the company are used to take their current assets minus their current liabilities. In the retail industry, seasonal spikes in business create the need for a much higher working capital and if hired for this role, I have a great understanding of each industries specific needs."
2nd Answer Example
"In a very broad sense, working capital is found by subtracting an organization's current liabilities from their current assets. In my current role, I utilize a more focused calculation of adding accounts receivable plus inventory and then subtracting accounts payable. The more focused calculation give a better idea of total working capital for organizations when trying to get a better overall picture of their health and efficiency when projecting out towards the future."
User-Submitted Answer
"CA-CL"
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
This response needs to be further developed.
25. If hired for this role at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, I want to be sure that I'm hiring a motivated individual. What motivates you in your daily work and your career?
How to Answer
In the financial services field, you should have strong personal motivation to succeed in your work and your interviewer is asking this question to see what it is that make you tick while on the job. While being open and honest in how you stay motivated on the job, make sure that your answer doesn't include collecting a paycheck every week or two. While money is certainly a motivator in this field, make sure that you use it in an appropriate context if you decide to talk about the financial piece of this business as being a motivator. In the end, your interviewer is looking to get a sense of how he or she will be able to keep you hungry for more if you are hired for this role.
1st Answer Example
"I find myself the most motivated on the job when I am being challenged and when I can continue learning new things. From what I've learned in talking to others that currently work here at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, the fast paced environment and continuous changes in the industry would keep me very motivated in my work and you'd never have to question if I were truly enjoying and being motivated in my work."
2nd Answer Example
"At a young age, my father taught me to do what I love and love what I do and I know that as I approach the middle years of my career that I made the right career choice. The personal finance field has really blended my love of helping others succeed and my passion for statistics and computers. In this role with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, I'll be working with your clients everyday on helping them achieve financial success and that alone is all of the reason I need to get out of bed every morning."
User-Submitted Answer
"challenged and when I can continue learning new things
impact the others"
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
In the "Revised Answer" section, I have included a suggestion for re-writing this response for added impact and clarity.
"I consider myself to be highly self-motivated; I enjoy being challenged and thrive in any environment where I can be challenged, learn new skill sets, and know that my work is impacting others."
26. This position at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited has generated a lot of interest from applicants. What do you feel is the one quality that sets you apart from others we are speaking with about this position?
How to Answer
This question is the perfect opportunity for you to highlight the one key quality that makes you the best person for this position, so be sure to really think about what this one quality is ahead of your interview. While there are many ways that you can take you answer to impress your interviewer and seal the deal for you in getting the job, be sure to avoid making assumptions about the other candidates in your answer. As well, be sure to avoid anything in your answer that points to this job being convenient for you personally or the fact that you'll be getting compensated for this work. Those are quick ways for you to go to the bottom of the candidate ranking list.
1st Answer Example
"As I've talked about during this interview process and from what you can see on my resume, I have all of the technical skills needed to grow your financial advising practice here at Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited. What sets me apart from my competition is my drive to succeed in this industry and I'd love to bring that drive to Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited to help working with your highest profile clients possible. Growing up and continuing to this point in my life, I've always been a very competitive person. I've played many team and individual sports my whole life and my drive to win in those has definitely carried over to and been a huge benefit in my work as a Financial Advisor. I'd love to bring this competitive spirit to your team."
2nd Answer Example
"From what I understand about this role in Client Services with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, my day to day work will include a lot of client interaction and I really feel like the job description was written with my skills and abilities in mind. But the thing that will really set me apart for being the perfect fit for this role is my experience on the sales side of things where I spent five years of my working career in the retail sales industry. In sales, I have developed key skills like product knowledge and selling skills that would be very beneficial to this role."
User-Submitted Answer
"I have all of the technical skills needed. What sets me apart from my competition is my drive to succeed in this industry and I'd love to bring that drive to MIRA to help work with your highest-profile clients. Since I was young, I have been a competitive person. I played in team/individual sports. My drive to win has definitely carried over to & benefit in my work; love to bring this competitive spirit to your team."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
This response provides great insight into who you are, personally and professionally! My only suggestion is to specify which technical skills you'll bring to the role, since you mention this as an area of strength.
27. To help us understand your need for initial training and orientation in this role with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited, can you tell me what financial software you have familiarity working on?
How to Answer
Financial software, in particular software geared towards financial analysis, is widely available to the industry with many options available for use. While this won't be a make it or break it question to see if you are experienced with the program that Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited utilizes, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you have experience on some of the available systems and that you are ready and willing to take on the challenge of learning something new if hired for this role. In the end in answering this question, make sure that you reiterate that you have the ability and the desire to learn a new program if needed to be successful in this role.
1st Answer Example
"Over the past ten years, I have pretty extensive experience working on Windham Portfolio Advisor and a program called LogicGate. Windham is a program that is used by my colleagues that are building client portfolios and I work on the risk management pieces with each advisor. LogicGate is a program that I completed an RFP to bring on to my department and it has helped us immensely. I do consider myself to have a very high technical acumen surrounding new software. Right now, what programs are your Risk Analysts using?"
2nd Answer Example
"Being a computer junkie in my spare time, I have a wide array of experience with many of the different types of financial and risk analysis software. I'm a big fan of the MATLAB program because of its ability to build my own algorithms and customize the data analysis within the program. This has significantly impacted my firm in my current role. With my firm recently moving to an Oracle platform, I've become very familiar with Oracle Crystal Ball over the last two years and really like its ability to visualize forecasts."
28. Give me an example of a time that you had to solve a problem without having all of the necessary information at hand to do so. How did you handle that situation?
How to Answer
For this question, your interviewer is looking to test your ability to be analytical and resourceful in a specific situation where you had to dig further to solve a problem. Prior to your interview, try to think of a time in the past where you encountered this specific situation and talk through it by laying out the problem and walking through the step-by-step approach you took to solve the problem. Try to be as detailed you can as you explain how you thought the problem out and worked hard to use the resources you could to help solve the problem. Your interviewer will be relying on these fine details to truly see how you will perform on the job with Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited.
1st Answer Example
"Back when I first joined my current organization, I was taking a role that had been vacant for many months and I had to start with a backlog of work along with the regular daily activities. This customer service role included logging daily visitors and calls and the interim rep only kept brief notes. After taking the time to walk through training and getting running on my own, I realized that the current workload wouldn't allow me to catch up on the backlog of work that had been missed. While I had ideas of how to play catch up on the work, I approached my supervisor with a few ideas and we settled on having me log hours from home on our system as overtime to get caught up. I worked with our IT staff on getting set up on our network from home and was more that willing to help out with some extra hours."
2nd Answer Example
"Working for a large financial institution, our advisory staff help cover for each other when we are on vacation, sick or simply out of office for the day. We typically team up in group of three to help provide coverage for each other. A couple of months ago, I fielded a call from a colleague's client while she was away on vacation and completely out of phone coverage. The client had several questions about their personal finances that I couldn't help resolve off the top of my head. I let them know that their advisor was away on vacation but I would take the next hour to research their questions and get back to them shortly. This was a very acceptable path of action to the client and I took the time to get their questions answered quickly."
User-Submitted Answer
"Analytical and resourceful in a specific situation. To be as detailed as you can as you explain how you thought the problem out and worked hard to use the resources you could to help solve the problem. Example - The client had several questions about their personal finances that I couldn't help resolve off the top of my head. I let them know that their advisor was away on vacation but I would take the next hour to research their questions and get back to them shortly. This was a very acceptable path of action to the client and I took the time to get their questions answered quickly."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
It sounds like you've received great advice on responding to this type of question! Now, put that into practice by providing a specific example from your own previous work experience.