31 Morningstar Interview Questions & Answers
Table of Contents
- 1. Accomplishment Questions
- 2. Adaptability Questions
- 3. Career Goals Questions
- 4. Communication Questions
- 5. Competency Questions
- 6. Customer Service Questions
- 7. Direct Questions
- 8. Discovery Questions
- 9. Experience Questions
- 10. Job Satisfaction Questions
- 11. Leadership Questions
- 12. Motivation Questions
- 13. Problem Solving Questions
- 14. Salary Questions
- 15. Scenario Questions
- 16. Scenario Based Questions
- 17. Stress Questions
- 18. Teamwork Questions
Accomplishment
1. Tell me about a time you worked with a team to accomplish a goal. What was your biggest contribution?
How to Answer
Like other team-based questions, your answer to this question should demonstrate that you're a team player and can work well with others, making it a relatively straightforward question. Think of a real work scenario and do your best to show, don't tell. For your most important contribution, reflect on a tangible skill that has set you apart when working in a team. It could be your excellent programming experience or your ability to raise group morale. Whatever makes you unique as a team member, make sure it will be relevant to the role to which you're applying.
1st Answer Example
"A few months ago, I worked with four colleagues to form an equity & inclusion committee at our firm. Because we created the committee from scratch, it was a huge amount of work, and each member of the team worked together to outline our individual roles and decide on our objectives. While every team member brought unique perspectives and experiences to the table, I think my most important contribution was creating a reporting process to organize and quantify progress toward our objectives and the related actions associated with each of them. My data analysis expertise helped the team have a system of measuring our impact with real data."
2nd Answer Example
"My team and I set the goal last year to win ten new clients by the end of the fiscal year. We broke this goal into manageable pieces and set smaller goals with deadlines every few weeks. In addition, we piloted a new software for project management and communication, which ended up working great and is now an important part of our planning process. Two team members tackled business development strategy, two worked on marketing, and I worked with my colleague on new client onboarding and maintenance. By the end of the fiscal year, we ended up exceeding our goal with thirteen new clients."
User-Submitted Answer
"In our _______ office, we aimed to start helping people during COVID-19 as many of them were laid off due to the downsizing of multiple companies.
We were trying to think of ways of helping people and reducing their burdens. All of our executive team met virtually, and everyone brought their ideas. I gave the idea, of rationing people, so that the volume of people we would help would increase as the cost wasn't much compared to giving motorbikes to people. My idea stood out, and it also got approved because we were somewhat familiar with the logistics of rationing people. I also suggested that we vote on the ideas so it is more of a group decision rather than 1 person calling the shots.
Thankfully, the idea worked out well, and we successfully managed to ration 5000 people in a span of 2 weeks."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Good job using the STAR method to describe the situation, your task/actions, and the end result. As a result, your response is well-structured and logical. Can you explain in more detail about rationing and what this means? Does this mean that you gave each person a limited amount of food? Adding more information about this will be helpful. Otherwise, excellent job!
Adaptability
2. If hired to this role here at Morningstar, what do you see as one initial hurdle you will have to overcome in your first weeks on the job?
How to Answer
Your interviewer wants to know that you will proactively respond to challenges right off the bat. Demonstrate to your interviewer that you will be a good cultural fit at Morningstar by emphasizing that you approach challenges head-on. Further, your interviewer wants to ensure you have the formal training needed to be successful on the job, or if you'll need support to fill in training gaps. Similar to the 'greatest weakness' question, the key to answering this question is to point out a potential challenge and then share your plan for how you will overcome that challenge.
If you can think of one off the top of your head, share with your interviewer an example of a time you were confronted with a challenge at a new job and how you responded to this adversity.
Answer Example
"Understanding that my role here at Morningstar would have me working with the entire advisory staff, the first hurdle would be getting to know everyone on that team and showcasing the skills that I could bring to their work. From my understanding, I would be working with team members from all over the country, and I foresee it being a possible challenge to build relationships with colleagues and stakeholders without meeting them face-to-face. If hired for the job, I would hope to get involved from day one by setting up virtual meetings with various members of the advisory staff and listening to what the most pressing challenges are for the team at the moment."
Adaptability
3. Describe your approach to learning new skills.
How to Answer
Morningstar is looking to hire lifelong learners who are open to expanding their skillset. Demonstrate to your interviewer that you are a curious and eager professional who will fit into Morningstar's team culture. Some hiring managers will be willing to hire you even if you don't match all of the requisites in the position description, so long as you demonstrate an eagerness to learn and deep motivation to succeed.
1st Answer Example
"I like to stay at the top of my game with continuous learning opportunities, conferences, mentoring and networking opportunities, and training to stay on top of the latest emerging technology. Learning new skills keeps me engaged and motivated on the job. One of the reasons why I am drawn to Morningstar, in particular, is the emphasis that you have placed on providing great training and growth opportunities for your leaders. I approach learning something new by diving into it completely, and asking questions so that I can learn as much as I can."
2nd Answer Example
"I believe that the most critical component of learning new skills is entering with the mindset that mistakes and failure are OK, as they mean that I'm pushing myself to grow outside of my comfort zone. For example, I'm teaching myself to code right now, which has been fun and exciting but also a huge challenge. I carve out time each week to focus on developing this new skill and don't give up when I don't understand something. This new skill has been a huge asset to me in my current position, and I'm looking to expand on it in this role. Can you tell me more about the opportunities that will be available to me for continuous learning here at Morningstar?"
Career Goals
4. We are looking for the most motivated individuals to join the team here at Morningstar. Where would you like your career to take you in the next five to ten years?
How to Answer
This common interview question puts you in a tough spot where you should talk about your ultimate career goals while also balancing the present needs of Morningstar. You might include certifications or credentials you hope to attain to maintain an industry cutting edge. While your interviewer is likely looking for a long-term fit for the position, it is okay to set your sights higher as long as your goals meet that of the organization's goals. Highlight the importance of long-term success with Morningstar.
Many careers at Morningstar emphasize career growth and upward mobility. For example, the Morningstar Development Program is specifically geared at recent grads looking to develop in their careers and find an area that's a great fit at Morningstar. You don't need to know exactly what you want to do, but have a solid idea of your primary interests and the skills you are most looking to hone.
1st Answer Example
"While I'm open to where my skills and passions will take me in my career, my primary interest lies in data analysis. That's why I think the Morningstar Development Program is a perfect fit that will allow me to dive into Morningstar's product offerings and clarify where I want to be in a few years within the data analysis space. Given my personal interest in investing, I'm looking forward to learning more about the equity analysis side of Morningstar's research. I know that MDP allows for some great mentoring and networking opportunities, so I'm excited to learn firsthand about what it's like to be an equity analyst and where that specialty could take me at Morningstar."
2nd Answer Example
"Now that I am at the midway point of my career, I am looking for one final career move before I retire down the line. As a successful financial advisor today, I want to continue to grow my skills in advising clients on retirement and private wealth management. It sounds like I'll have that opportunity here at Morningstar. As I continue to grow in my skills, a long-term career goal of mine is to be in a management position where I could oversee the work of junior advisors and mentor them towards success."
Communication
5. Discuss how you approach explaining complex ideas in simple terms.
How to Answer
A crucial part of customer service is ensuring that you can make complex information digestible for your clients. After all, that's why clients hire professionals as the expert! Your interviewer wants to hear that you have developed solid strategies to translate financial or business jargon into easy-to-understand terms for clients whose knowledge is likely less specialized in these areas. In your answer, describe your communication style and, if you can, provide an example of a time you explained a complex idea in simple terms with good results.
Remember, this skill also translates to interpersonal work on a team. Your ability to communicate your ideas clearly and simply impacts how effectively you work with others.
1st Answer Example
"I strive for a straightforward and concise communication style with clients and colleagues. In my previous work as a financial advisor, I focused on listening to my clients and their most pressing financial needs and goals. I made an effort to echo their language and avoid esoteric ideas that I knew wouldn't be relevant to what they needed to hear. Above all, I ensure that my tone is never patronizing towards clients or colleagues. I often learn something new from those who I work with and place great value on hearing their input."
2nd Answer Example
"To communicate effectively, I strive to convey the essence of an idea in simple terms rather than deep-diving into the details of more technical matters. I've found this to be an important component of humility within the industry. Furthermore, If I'm having trouble explaining a new concept in simple terminology, I've found that it usually means that I have more research to do myself. I place incredible value on continuous learning within the industry via publications, newsletters, podcasts, and conferences. Keeping myself educated allows me to explain complicated ideas in a way that makes sense to people outside of the industry."
Communication
6. 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. No matter what example you use, make sure to keep the tone positive, focusing on the steps you took to turn a potentially hazardous situation into a good (or at least manageable) one. Remember, this question is not an opportunity to bad-mouth a previous colleague or boss. Most importantly, discuss the specific lessons learned from that situation that you will take into a new role.
Stress your interpersonal skills and ability to handle conflict effectively. You want your interviewer to know that you will add to, not detract from, Morningstar's positive company culture.
1st Answer Example
"A few years back, we hired a junior advisor on our team, and I was tasked with being his mentor. Having mentored several other thriving junior advisors before he started, I was excited about the opportunity. Within the first week of him being on the job, I overheard a colleague talking openly about his disdain for the hire of this new advisor. I decided to share my concerns with my colleague in a private office about his words towards the new advisor. Having been a part of the interview process and his early mentorship, I knew he had the skills to succeed, and I reiterated that to my colleague. After agreeing to back off his critique of the new advisor, I learned that direct conversations are the best way to handle workplace conflicts. The junior advisor went on to be successful at the firm."
2nd Answer Example
"A couple of years ago, I approached a colleague that had missed a deadline on a big audit we were conducting, and she completely blew up at me during our conversation. At first, I was taken aback by her response because I had never witnessed that 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 was impacting her work. While keeping our project deadlines in mind, I also took a personal approach to let her know that she could bring these issues to me as both a colleague and a friend and work through them together in the future. Through this experience, I learned the importance of treating all clients and colleagues as multifaceted humans, often with a lot going on. It's made me a better listener and team member in the workplace."
Competency
7. Tell me about a time where you had to analyze information in order to make a recommendation.
How to Answer
Your interviewer is looking to get a sense of the analytical and problem-solving skills you've developed in past roles and how you would apply these skills to a new role at Morningstar. In your answer, focus on describing your attention to detail and sharp focus on data and statistics. Include an example that demonstrates your thought process when drawing conclusions from information. Give as much insight into your process to show you are capable of taking an analytical approach to problem-solving.
Answer Example
"I worked for a financial advisory firm last year and had a client who was looking for investment recommendations. I gathered data on the stocks they were interested in, sorting through trends and historical data to determine the most promising returns. Using in-house software, I plugged in various variables related to the client's age, target retirement, and risk tolerance, among others. I shared the various possible outcomes with my client, which allowed me to make a well-informed recommendation about the best stock options to meet his financial goals."
Competency
8. List the top 3 skills that you have acquired in your last role.
How to Answer
You have likely gained many valuable skills in your career. Share with the interviewer which skills you value the most and those that will be relevant to the role you're applying to at Morningstar.
Remember that for many careers at Morningstar, particularly those for early-career professionals, you don't necessarily have to have a background in the financial services industry. While a working knowledge of the industry and Morningstar's products is expected, it's more important to emphasize your motivation and a willingness to learn. While you can mention your technical skills, be sure to focus your answer on the soft skills that will make you successful in various roles.
Answer Example
"In the past few years, I was able to upgrade my education while still working full-time. The biggest skill I gained was my ability to multi-task as I worked the dual role of employee and student. I worked incredibly hard to balance these responsibilities and would bring this motivation to the role of an analyst. Next, I've demonstrated curiosity and a willingness to learn academically, given the breadth of courses I took and extracurriculars I was involved in. Finally, I've always been a people person and work well with others. At my current job, I work with a team of six people. We've developed a top-notch strategy for communicating and divvying up tasks. I know that Morningstar is known for its company culture, and I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from other team members."
Competency
9. In working with financial data here at Morningstar, what are the steps you would take in the data validation process as part of your work?
How to Answer
High-quality and accessible data is at the center of Morningstar's mission statement. Carefully interpreting financial data and ensuring its validity will be at the heart of what you do as an analyst. This is a good question to demonstrate to your interviewer that you're knowledgeable about Morningstar's mission of transparency in providing high-quality data.
Bad data in the financial industry can have a costly impact, and your job will be to ensure that doesn't happen. To answer this question, discuss the importance of data validation and your method for both data screening and verification as part of the validation process. Include any programs that you have experience working with during the validation process.
1st Answer Example
"Here at Morningstar, your financial advisors rely on the most accurate and up-to-date data to present to clients. I would take great pride in my job as a data analyst to provide the best data possible. In fact, the pride I take in interpreting complicated data initially attracted me to Morningstar as a company. You've set the industry standard within financial services for providing top-notch data that investors and advisors rely on to make decisions."
2nd Answer Example
"With any large analysis project that involves data validation, my first step is to create a detailed plan that defines the data to be validated and outlines the remaining steps. Next, I validate the information in the database and format the data. Finally, I'll take a small sample to make sure it meets the requirements of the project. I consider myself proficient in QuerySurge and Datameer but remain open to learning new programs here at Morningstar. If given the opportunity, I'm excited to further hone my data validation skills by learning from the best in the industry at Morningstar."
Customer Service
10. At Morningstar, we pride ourselves on providing great customer experience. Talk about your customer service experience and explain why it will help our clients here.
How to Answer
Overall, client experience is a major predictor of business growth in the financial services industry, and the team at Morningstar takes the overall client experience seriously. For this question, your interviewer will be looking for you to expand upon your customer service experience beyond what they can see from your resume. You don't need to relay facts that they likely already know from reviewing your resume. Discuss specific instances where you have gone above and beyond what was expected to provide the best service.
1st Answer Example
"Over the past five years in my current role in customer service, my number one mantra has been to create the most personalized experience possible for each person. I have done this by getting to know the customer, finding out their needs, and creating an experience unique to them. I believe that my successful approach to automotive sales has really prepared me for this role with Morningstar. The skills that I have found to be central to this approach are open and honest communication, time management, and creating an empathetic and personalized approach for each client."
2nd Answer Example
"In my years in a front-facing customer service role, I've prided myself on being the face of the franchise. More often than not, my interactions with customers can be the difference between a repeat customer and a person who never comes back again. To ensure repeat customers, I make sure that I am knowledgeable about our products and services, I'm proactive with their needs, and I'm always accountable for any mistakes made on my organization's behalf. If given the opportunity to join the team here at Morningstar, I will work hard to be highly educated in your services and be proactive and accountable in every interaction that I have."
Customer Service
11. Our clients here at Morningstar expect top-tier service and products and we will expect you to do just that in this role. Have you ever went the extra mile for a client when it wasn't expected? Why did you do so?
How to Answer
Morningstar looks to set themselves apart from their competition by delivering top-notch service. If being interviewed for the Morningstar Development Program, you will be beginning your career at Morningstar as a customer service representative. Thus, a solid understanding of the gold standards of customer service is paramount. If your experience in customer service is limited, spend some time researching the most important qualities of customer service within the financial services industry.
No matter what example you use, explain why you felt it was important to take that action and what tangible outcomes it produced. Remember: show, don't tell. Use a specific example if you have one.
1st Answer Example
"A couple of years ago when I was working customer service in retail, a customer was looking for what happened to be a discontinued item of clothing. It was intended for her sick mother. The easy route would have been simply looking it up, telling her it was discontinued, and having her be on her way. I took down the customer's contact information and let her know that I could contact our person who handled archived products. If we could track it down, I would be in touch. With a simple phone call, my colleague could track the item down from the supplier and have it coordinated to ship directly. We put the customer in direct contact with the supplier, and she was ecstatic. Looking back on that situation, her story spoke to me, and I felt that it was the right thing to do."
2nd Answer Example
"In my current role in hospitality, I often work with high-profile customers that come to our hotel. Last year, a touring manager for a musician contacted me regarding an upcoming stay for the musician. I proactively asked for their dining and entertainment preferences. With that list, I was able to work with our catering staff to ensure we had preferred items on the menus for the nights that he stayed and that we had a customized video game package in the musician's room for his extended stay. Before him leaving, his manager reached out to thank me for the great service."
Customer Service
12. What does the term customer service mean to you in your work?
How to Answer
No matter what position you are interviewing for at Morningstar, your interviewer wants to hear that you value quality customer service and client interactions. At the crux of your answer, you should show why solid customer service matters to you and how you will demonstrate that value at Morningstar. Whether your answer centers on problem-solving or making people happy, make sure you have a comprehensive answer that rings true for you.
1st Answer Example
"A pursuit of a career in the financial services industry combines my two professional passions of mathematics and problem-solving. In this role, helping clients solve problems efficiently and with a smile on my face would be the overarching motivation for me each day. But ultimately, 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've heard. In my interactions with customers, I am positive, pleasant, and nurturing by nature, and I've found that customers are quite receptive to this approach. If hired for this role at Morningstar, you'll find that dedicated customer service is one of the top qualities that I will bring to the team."
Direct
13. What is your greatest strength as a finance professional?
How to Answer
Demonstrate your self-awareness by pointing out a strength that you've honed over the years. Ideally, you'll discuss a skill that is directly relevant to the role to which you're applying. Having a tangible example will strengthen your answer.
1st Answer Example
"My colleagues often comment on my communication skills. They appreciate that I'm true to my word and follow up with any questions if I'm not sure about something. I'm not afraid to ask clarifying questions and discuss next steps and deadlines to make sure everyone is on the same page."
2nd Answer Example
"I have been told by previous supervisors that I take initiative in my work. I proactively work to sort out problems when they arise and work effectively in a team when necessary to fix an issue. During an end-of-year review with my boss last year, she commented on how much she appreciates the initiative and leadership I show when a stressful situation pops up."
Direct
14. What is your greatest weakness as a finance professional?
How to Answer
This common interview question is an opportunity to demonstrate self-insight. Give an honest answer with a real weakness you have been identified, and what plan you've put into place to work on it. Just make sure the weakness isn't a core competency of the Morningstar job description. If it's an analyst role, revealing 'logical reasoning skills' as a weakness likely won't get you far. Reflect on traits you want to work on, but that won't get in the way of overall job success.
Honesty and self-awareness are key for this question. Interviewers have heard it all and will see through phony attempts to present a trait as a weakness when it's not really a weakness.
1st Answer Example
"I've been working on finding my voice when meeting with upper-level management. While I know the ideas I bring to the table are valuable, I've always been reluctant to constructively disagree with a boss or offer an alternative when addressing people in positions of power. This has been my primary area of focus for improvement in the last few months, and one of my colleagues even recently commented that he had noticed a difference in the frequency of my contributions."
2nd Answer Example
"I take a lot of pride in the work I do and often struggle to delegate tasks to other members of my team. Even though I trust my coworkers and know what fantastic work they do, I've slipped in the habit of seeing tasks through from start to finish. I got to a point where this was no longer feasible with the new responsibilities I had taken on, so I've been working on feeling more comfortable asking for help from my colleagues when I need it. While this weakness is still a work in progress for me, I've learned how important it is to communicate effectively with and rely on my team."
Direct
15. What do you anticipate being the greatest challenge you experience in this role?
How to Answer
Give an honest answer about something you foresee as a real challenge in this role, as long as it won't get in the way of doing your job effectively. Follow up with the plan you have in place to overcome any such challenges.
1st Answer Example
"I'm accustomed to working face-to-face with my team in the office, so I think the remote work environment that this role offers will be an adjustment at first. I work closely with my colleagues in my current role, and it's important to me to maintain a sense of team cohesion with strong communication. I plan to set up quick coffee chats with new colleagues to get to know everyone on a personal and professional level. I'm curious to learn about the systems that Morningstar has in place to ensure solid collaboration with remote work."
2nd Answer Example
"The greatest challenge I anticipate in this role will be by improving my knowledge of various financial analyses. As you know, my academic and professional background is primarily in sales and marketing, but I'm now looking to pivot to the analysis side of financial services. I've gathered that I will need to do XYZ analyses as a data analyst at Morningstar. While I read in the position description that this skill is not required to apply, I recently began an XYZ certification course to increase my formal knowledge of the process. I look forward to learning more so that I can perform these analyses quickly and efficiently."
Direct
16. What does Morningstar's mission mean to you?
How to Answer
Make sure you've done your homework on Morningstar's history and mission. You should be well-versed in why they do what they do and how this mission applies to the role you're interviewing for.
The keywords relating to their mission that Morningstar has highlighted on their website include:
-Personal
-Visionary
-Inspiring
-Transparent
-Patient
-Independent
-Straightforward
1st Answer Example
"Given my background in research, I'm drawn to Morningstar's mission of providing investors with reliable and valid data that empowers them to make the best decisions for themselves. My favorite part of Morningstar's mission is the concept of transparency in every facet of work. Transparency to me means making financial data more accessible for the average person while never sacrificing the quality of research."
2nd Answer Example
"What stands out to me the most about Morningstar's mission is your focus on independence. I think this is crucial for building and maintaining consumer trust when it comes to making financial decisions. I hold myself to high standards in my research and analyses and would live out Morningstar's mission by ensuring an unbiased, diligent approach in my research."
User-Submitted Answer
"What stands out to me the most about Morningstar's mission is its focus on independence. Being a genuine believer in information symmetry, I think Morningstar’s goal of providing complete transparency into its services and the financial industry in general, is something that resonates with my ideology. I think this is crucial for building and maintaining consumer trust when it comes to making financial decisions. As a Junior in college, this would be a great opportunity for me to gain an understanding of the financial services sector and what I want to pursue specifically in this sector. I believe the culture is very empowering and it will help me develop exponentially."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Excellent! It's clear from your answer that you're familiar with the company's mission, which the interviewer will appreciate. Emphasizing that your values align with the values of the company is also a great move. Finally, the fact that you appreciate transparency implies that you yourself are transparent (aka honest and full of integrity). Wonderful job!
Discovery
17. This position at Morningstar 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 paths you can take with this question, be sure to avoid making assumptions about the other candidates in your answer.
Remember that many candidates are hardworking, motivated, and accomplished. Really reflect on what is unique about your story or career trajectory to help you succeed in this role.
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 Morningstar. What sets me apart from others is the intense drive I have to succeed in this industry. Growing up, I've always been a very competitive person. For example, I played division I soccer in college and was the team captain during my junior and senior years. In addition, I graduated in the top 5% of my class. My drive to succeed academically and in sports 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."
Experience
18. Describe a time you made a meaningful contribution to a team.
How to Answer
Your answer to this question should give the interviewer a sense of how you operate in a team and what they can expect your contributions to be. Not only do you want to demonstrate that you're a solid team player who is easy to work with, but you also want to make clear that you get stuff done. No one wants to work with a passive team member who lets their responsibilities fall onto others. Give your interviewer a specific example of a team scenario in which your work made a tangible difference.
Answer Example
"I worked with a team of five on a long-term client project. On previous projects, I noticed there was a delay between the ideas and action to realize those ideas. Sometimes, certain initiatives even fell through the cracks completely, which I found to be frustrating as I wanted to make sure we were delivering the best possible work to the client. So for this long-term client project, I made it a priority to research and input a new project management software that allowed us to track our ideas and put measurable deadlines on them. We had great results and have continued to use this software for each subsequent client project."
Experience
19. 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
Your interviewer wants to be ensured that you have the skills to resolve any client issues that may come up. Talk about a specific time when you diffused a difficult situation with a client. Talk about the resources you used and your interpersonal skills that helped turn a potentially bad situation into a successful one.
While this question may be less relevant for data analysis and programming roles, remember that you will likely be doing some client-facing work. Thus, a solid understanding of customer service and professionalism towards clients is expected of you.
1st Answer Example
"Having worked in customer service for one of the area's largest auto dealerships for the past six years, handling difficult customers was a situation I had to learn to handle pretty quickly. A few weeks ago, I recognized 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 his new vehicle was under a full warranty, I let him know 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. We ended up giving him a loaner vehicle so his new car could be taken care of on Monday morning. I could understand his frustration, but he left in a better mood than when he arrived."
2nd Answer Example
"A couple of years ago, I was asked to work with a high-profile client as a portfolio advisor when he came to our firm. I was tasked with this as my CEO trusted I could handle what he felt could be a sticky situation. From my first meeting with the client, he demanded that we provide more returns than the previous firm he worked with, and he was rather rude to our front desk staff. My approach was to take the time to listen to his needs and speak to him about what our firm could provide. I laid out my experience and track record for him to help him build his trust in me. I knew that from now on, with this client, I would need to take time to walk through my decision-making processes for his investments, which he really appreciated. As of today, we are still working well together, and his wealth has continued growing."
Job Satisfaction
20. What is the most attractive aspect about this role with Morningstar?
How to Answer
For this question, your interviewer is looking to gain insight into what you know and like about Morningstar and how they will help you meet your career goals. The key to this question is making sure you've done your research. In your answer, stay focused on the alignment of your values with their values and demonstrate your preparation by showcasing your research on Morningstar and the role. Stay positive in your answer; don't bad-mouth a previous employer.
Make sure you've spent time reading and reflecting on Morningstar's mission statement. Think about what is most attractive about their mission and how that aligns with your own values and goals.
1st Answer Example
"Over the past few years, I've had an eye on pursuing a career with Morningstar because of its reputation for having a great company culture. In my current position as an analyst at XYZ company, we've partnered with Morningstar analysts for work on the XYZ project. My team and I greatly admire and enjoy working with the Morningstar analysts because they are motivated and easy to work with. I've had conversations with a few of them on their appreciation for your collaborative company culture and work-life balance, both of which are priorities for me in this next career step."
2nd Answer Example
"As I enter the midway point of my career, my job search has centered on finding an employer that I can spend the rest of my career until retirement. Looking at the history, culture, and growth of Morningstar, this is definitely a place that I'd love to be a part of as you continue to grow and prosper into the future."
Leadership
21. Morningstar seeks out natural and confident leaders. What leadership qualities do you possess?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know that you can take on a leadership role even if you don't possess a formal leadership title. A desire for growth and upward mobility within Morningstar will showcase that you are a motivated individual willing to put in the work.
Remember that Morningstar is not known for the same cutthroat environment you might think of when you think of investment banking companies. Morningstar wants its leaders to be highly motivated, hardworking, likable, and easy to work with within a team.
Think about which of these leadership qualities most applies to you:
- Being someone who people naturally want to follow
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, such as close listening and self-awareness
- Strong relationship building skills
- Taking ownership for the team's errors and mistakes
- Excelling at motivating others
- Providing kudos to your team
- Knowing how to select and hire the right people to join the team
- Having a vision for the future
Answer Example
"I feel that I am good at motivating a team. Last year, I led my sales team every day through small incentives and awards, and we ended up being the top sales team in the company for the year!"
Leadership
22. Tell me about a time you stepped up as a leader.
How to Answer
In this question, your interviewer is looking to hear that you can point to a specific example that demonstrates your solid leadership skills. Before the interview, brainstorm times in the past where you did more than what was expected of you to contribute to the overall success of a project. You'll make more of an impact on the interviewer if you can tie this example back to the leadership qualities you'll bring to the role you're interviewing for.
Answer Example
"A few months into my current position, my boss tasked me with managing a team of three interns. As we were piloting a new intern program, we did not yet have any experience with coordinating a team of interns. As a result, I started from ground zero in designing the intern program and leading this team through a nine-week program. I diligently planned each week of the program so that each intern would have a fantastic professional development experience. I checked their progress with biweekly meetings with each intern. At the end of the program, the interns rated their job satisfaction at a 9.5/10. Through this experience, I learned that I love leading a team of people and providing mentoring to more junior employees. I would hope to work up to a managerial position here at Morningstar with time."
User-Submitted Answer
"2 years ago in Ramadan, I initiated my own food drive and after volunteering for 3 years, I knew the ins and outs of the logistics. My job was to manage the volunteers - so we had a group of 100 volunteers on a texting app, and I had rotated them for 20 volunteers a day. At our location, I would call all our volunteers 30 minutes before the food drive, and assign them tasks. It was more about the delegation of tasks, and for new volunteers, I had to micromanage them. Apart from the leadership part, it was also a team role, because most of the volunteers were friends or acquaintances, and I liked working with them. At times when we would be short on volunteers, I was never hesitant to act as a volunteer myself. All in all, it was a great experience. I met some new people and fostered those relationships with them. I got some good feedback on the way I ran the food drive, and I made amends come next year. The food drive was very successful, and the whole organization has grown exponentially."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Awesome! This is a strong answer that shows your ability to be both an effective leader as well as a team player. You have again used the STAR method well here. You come across as motivated, organized, friendly, and willing to roll up your sleeves and jump in just like the volunteers. Consider connecting your leadership qualities to the role itself at the end of your answer. (For example, mention that you are looking forward to delegating tasks and managing others in this new position just like you did during this food drive.) Excellent job!
Motivation
23. If hired for this role at Morningstar, 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 makes you tick in your career. Give one or two specific examples that emphasize your motivation in your day-to-day work. You might include an anecdote that explains why you got into this field in the first place. Perhaps a previous manager has even commented on your motivation. Feel free to include this in an answer.
While money may be a motivator, don't focus on this aspect in your answer. Rather, focus your answer on intrinsic motivation mostly removed from external factors like money, status, or external validation. In the end, your interviewer is looking to get a sense of how you will stay hungry for more if you are hired for this role.
1st Answer Example
"I find myself 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 Morningstar, the fast-paced environment and continuous changes in the industry would keep me on my toes. This is important to me in a company because I never want to get bored in a role."
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've made the right choice to pursue a career in wealth management. Specifically, the personal finance space has allowed me to combine my love for helping others succeed with my passion for statistics and data. I'm excited to have the opportunity to work with Morningstar clients each day to help them achieve their financial goals as an advisor."
Problem Solving
24. Tell me about a time when you, or a group that you were a part of, were in danger of missing a deadline. What did you do?
How to Answer
Point to a specific situation that allows you to emphasize the problem-solving process you took, but don't get bogged down with irrelevant details. The interviewer won't care about the minutiae of a previous work project gone awry, but they will want to hear about the process you went through to ultimately make that deadline.
That being said, it's best to think of a scenario where you end up actually meeting the deadline as a result of your problem-solving. And if you missed the deadline, emphasize what you learned from the situation and the strategies you've put in place to make sure you won't miss a deadline with Morningstar. For example, you might speak to your process for breaking big projects into manageable chunks or how you've developed a system for communicating with other team members. Ensure that you take responsibility for missing this deadline; blaming a team member or unfortunate circumstance won't reflect well on you.
Finally, you may choose to bring up your appreciation for the importance of deadlines within an investment research firm like Morningstar. With ever-changing markets and investors who need to know real-time data, you can imagine how important it is for an analyst to stick to deadlines.
Answer Example
"In my current position with XYZ company, there was a situation a few months ago where my workload reached an unrealistic amount. I was responsible for too many tasks, and, as a result, I was falling behind in hitting the deadlines for my primary project. To address this, I gauged the current bandwidth of our support staff to see how feasible it would be to offload some necessary but time-consuming tasks. I ended up setting up meetings with two interns and a contractor to train them on these lower-priority tasks that were eating up my time. This strategy allowed me to focus more time and energy to hit important milestones on my primary project."
Problem Solving
25. 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. Before your interview, try to think of a time in the past when you encountered this specific situation and talk through it, walking through the step-by-step approach you took to solve the problem. Try 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. Your interviewer will be relying on these fine details to truly see how you will perform on the job with Morningstar.
Especially for analyst roles, your interviewer will be looking for a critical thinker with great logical reasoning. Be sure to demonstrate these qualities in your answer.
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 becoming independently functional in the role, 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 than willing to help out with some extra hours."
2nd Answer Example
"Working for a large financial institution, our advisory staff helps cover for each other when we are on vacation, sick, or simply out of office for the day. We typically team up in groups 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 didn't have phone coverage. The client had several questions about her personal finances that I couldn't help resolve off the top of my head. I let her know that her advisor was away on vacation, but I would take the next hour to research her questions and get back to her shortly. The client was impressed that I took the time to understand the situation and that I took the time to get her questions answered quickly."
Salary
26. What are your salary expectations?
How to Answer
Ah, the dreaded salary expectations question. Interviewees often feel uncomfortable discussing compensation, worried that will give a number that's too high or too low.
Answering this question tactfully requires a fine balance of knowing your professional worth, while also understanding what Morningstar can realistically offer you for compensation. Rather than giving a specific number, it's best to provide a realistic range that allows room for negotiation. It's helpful to do your research beforehand using various online resources to ensure that you have a good idea of the salary range.
If you're unsure of a fair range for this position, this question is an opportunity for a discussion with the interviewer. To avoid pigeonholing yourself into a salary that's lower than what they might offer you, you can ask your interviewer if they can share the typical salary range for the role.
1st Answer Example
"I'm looking for compensation that's in line with my qualifications and experience. Given my graduate degree and six years of experience at (XYZ) company, I'm seeking compensation in the range of $75,000 - 80,000."
2nd Answer Example
"Thanks for asking. I was hoping to get more information first about the salary range you're offering for this position. Would you be able to share that information with me?"
Scenario
27. If you were having an interaction with a client here at Morningstar and you weren't able to answer their question or solve their problem on your own, how would you handle that situation?
How to Answer
In a client-facing role with Morningstar, you may be asked serious financial or market-related questions that you either don't know or aren't qualified to answer. In those situations, you will be expected to explain to the customer the plan you have in place to get that question answered. Make sure you deliver a timeline on when it can be answered. Humility and a solutions-oriented approach are key here: be clear that you will not attempt to answer a question that you are not qualified to answer and ensure that you will do everything in your power to find out an answer. Maintaining trust and confidence with clients is critical.
1st Answer Example
"In my current role in Customer Service with Metropolis' largest automotive dealership, I frequently get asked questions that our sales, finance, and service staff have to give the final stamp of approval on. In these situations, I have a great amount of knowledge to prepare the customer for speaking with the right person while also ensuring them that the sales, finance, or service staff will provide the final answer. Then, I work quickly to get them to the right person."
2nd Answer Example
"In a situation where I didn't know an answer, I would reassure the client that we have the right staff in place to help them quickly and efficiently. I would communicate to the customer what the next step is, whether that is putting them directly in contact with the right person or taking their contact information so that someone can get back to them."
Scenario Based
28. The clients of a financial firm like Morningstar can display an arrange of emotions when they work with our client-facing teams. How would you handle a situation where a client was very angry?
How to Answer
Your job in a client-facing role will inevitably lead you to deal with an angry client. Your interviewer will be looking to hear that you maintain your professionalism and are solutions-oriented. If you've had prior customer service experience, use a specific example of a time when you dealt with a less-than-satisfied client and how you could find an effective solution to appease the customer. Upset customers can be stress-inducing, so you want to portray yourself as level-headed and objective.
1st Answer Example
"As you can see from my resume, I've spent the last three years in customer service relations for a large insurance company. And as you might imagine, many of my customer interactions involved upset customers. I've been yelled at over the phone and called various names. As much as I can, I don't take the attacks personally, even if they are intended so. I do my best to empathize with a customer's stress over a lost or damaged item. I plan to maintain a sense of composure while working to find the best solution possible in a customer-facing role at Morningstar."
2nd Answer Example
"I've found that, above all, an active listening approach is the first step to lowering the tension from an angry customer. A couple of months ago, we had an angry customer come onsite to complain about a defective product that had cut his hand. I listened carefully to his complaint, allowing him to vent his anger without taking any of it personally. I expressed how sincerely sorry I was about his injury and overall negative experience with the product. I remained objective by explaining what our policy allowed me to do at that time. Looking back, I believe my sincere approach and cool demeanor helped the customer calm down, and later that day, my manager sent a formal complaint to the manufacturer. I followed up the next day with the manufacturer to ensure they had contacted the customer."
Stress
29. Tell me about a stressful situation you dealt with recently. How did you handle it?
How to Answer
Finance jobs can be demanding, and your interviewer wants to get a sense of your ability to work under pressure. Demonstrate that you stay calm under stress and don't let it impact your ability to think clearly.
1st Answer Example
"My team was tasked with pulling together a deck last-minute for a client. We only had a few hours to complete it before the client needed it. After having a quick meeting to delegate tasks and create a plan, we immediately set to get the deck done. I was able to work efficiently to pull the data that we needed for the deck and get this information over to our graphic design team. We made the deadline, and the client ended up very satisfied with the final product and our quick work."
2nd Answer Example
"A colleague had an emergency and needed me to stand in for him for a presentation to our company's executives about a new product offering. I had little time to prepare. I took what could have been a daunting situation and thought of it as a valuable opportunity to professionally push myself out of my comfort zone. Even though I wasn't an expert on the product like my colleague, I knew enough to present the information calmly and confidently. The executives didn't even notice that I was filling in and had some great questions to ask about the product afterward."
Teamwork
30. If you joined the team here at Morningstar, how would you build relationships with those that you would be working closely with?
How to Answer
For this question, your interviewer wants to hear that you'll be proactive about getting to know your colleagues and fitting into Morningstar's culture. Use a personal approach to talk about ways that you have done this in the past and how you would do so if hired for this position. Discuss the importance of relationship-building and how your collaborative approach has helped you as a professional.
1st Answer Example
"From my first day on the job, I would take the time to break the ice with my colleagues by introducing myself and setting up an individual meeting with each person. In the past, I've done these meetings over lunch or in an office where I've had questions prepared for me to get to know the person both personally and professionally. I want to ask my colleagues what they expect from me and what I can expect from them. I've found that these conversations help to open up doors for working with each other moving forward."
2nd Answer Example
"Being the new person on the job can create a degree of anxiety for some people, but I love the opportunity to break the ice with my coworkers by making that first contact. I think it's important to get to know each other on a personal level because we spend so much of our lives together in the workplace. Beyond that first ice-breaking conversation, I then focus on developing positive work relationships through demonstrating a consistent work ethic and helping others on my team to show that I am a true team player."
Teamwork
31. We pride ourselves on teamwork here at Morningstar. What are the top qualities you would bring to the team-based atmosphere here?
How to Answer
Morningstar is known for its company culture and employee satisfaction, and a big part of that is employee interaction. At the heart of this question is your interviewer's need to determine how well you will work with others on the team at Morningstar. To ensure that your interviewer walks away from your conversation knowing that you are a team-player, focus your answer on your effective communication skills and how, in the past, you've worked with other team members to reach a common goal.
As a reminder, Morningstar does not have a reputation for having cutthroat, unfriendly teams. Make clear that you are easy to work with within a team and do your part while using your expertise to assist others.
Answer Example
"As with any team that I have worked on in the past, my priority is knowing that everyone has an important piece in the overall success of the team. In customer service, this means knowing who to contact with the right questions and guiding customers when needed. If hired here at Morningstar, my first goal would be to get to know everyone on the team that I would work with, their roles, and how to best communicate with them. I've learned how important it is to learn and adapt to the unique communication styles of team members."