How to Answer: Tell us about yourself.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Royal Bank of Canada job interview.
2. Tell us about yourself.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Casual questions typically elicit an honest response, and the algorithm needs to gauge your honesty and true self to better determine your fit for RBC. HireVue's algorithm will analyze how your genuine personality differs from your more reserved and performative answers. So, this question's purpose is to get you to relax and be yourself.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 31st, 2024
What You Need to Know
HireVue offers services that help clients avoid making bad hiring decisions by screening, evaluating, classifying, and categorizing candidates, and finding top performers who align with company goals and culture. HireVue claims their "talent experience platform" simplifies hiring and boosts client recruitment by enhancing talent engagement, screening, and hiring. They advertise to their clients that their products and services help "the ebbs and flows of the hiring landscape" by increasing company, decreasing turnover, and maximizing the recruitment of top performers while saving their clients "the thousands of dollars that one bad hire costs" and "thousands of payroll hours" by streamlining their recruiting process.
The key feature of HireVue is the use of proprietary machine learning algorithms to analyze data, both verbal and non-verbal cues from video interviews, to assess a candidate's expertise, skills, personality, and integrity, and to predict job performance. By examining verbal and non-verbal cues, such as tone, body language, and consistency of responses, they will assess a candidate's knowledge, abilities, character, and honesty based on data. The algorithm will compile their "candidate insights reports" from the data it collects.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 31st, 2024
How to Prep
On their careers site, RBC offers advice on how to deliver an excellent interview. "We care about you. At RBC, you can be yourself at work. Differences in experience and background are not only accepted - they are celebrated. Be clear and concise with your answers. A run-on answer may indicate a lack of confidence or focus. Also, don't be too scripted, or your answers won't seem genuine. Don't forget to smile! No matter how nervous you might be. Interviewers want to make sure you're the right fit - so this is your time to let your personality shine!"
Written by Kevin Downey on March 31st, 2024
Experienced Example
"Well, I started my banking career working for Great Western Bank, which was bought out by Washington Mutual, which was bought by Chase Bank, where I have worked since. I started a career in banking because I am passionate about finance and financial sustainability. But, last year I started feeling I needed a change, and I decided to move up to Vancouver from Seattle. I also wanted a fresh start with a company with a work culture and values more aligned with my own. I am half Canadian and half American, so I have dual citizenship, so I would have no issues working here. In fact, RBC has been my bank of choice in Canada since I was a kid. So, now that I am moved up here and settled in, I decided it was time to apply to my choice employer. So here I am."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 31st, 2024