If you were offered a job, what would you initially set out to accomplish?
This question has less to do with what you would contribute, and more to do with how your proposed conduct would reflect upon your experience level, humility, and professionalism. It is perfectly natural to be excited about jumping in and proving yourself when awarded a new opportunity. It can be exciting, sometimes a little disorientating, and it's also okay to be a little nervous. Interviewers appreciate confidence and professionalism, but you'll want to be careful about coming across as overly confident. For example, use phrases such as, "If I were to move on in the role," as opposed to saying "when I'm hired". Familiarize yourself with Vanguard's suggested approach to joining their company. Arriving at your interview knowing what to expect will help position you as a desirable candidate.
Check out the checklist Vanguard offers in their careers blog, "Starting your new job on the right foot", where they cover what to expect from day one, and continue beyond six months. Here are some excerpts from that article: "Get the lay of the land. Introduce yourself to your team. Get to know them and their working styles. Ask questions. Document. Do some light reading about the industry, the company, or your role. Set goals for yourself and list all the things you want to know more about. Organize your work and structure your day. Have a strong sense of your leader's expectations. Reflect and address your opportunity areas. Create a plan to address any challenges you're experiencing in the role. Discuss your performance. Identify your ongoing development plan. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to blow it out of the water right away. Observe and ask questions before offering suggestions or taking charge."
"Well, I would try to absorb as much information as quickly as I can while getting to know and building relationships with my new teams. I would learn everything I could from everyone I could, taking notes, getting organized, and getting up to speed. I would actively listen and find ways of anticipating needs. I would proactively ask for feedback and make adjustments where necessary. I would continue to adjust my career plans until my timeframes were more realistic. Then, when I felt I had a strong lay of the land and identified kaizen opportunities, I would ask questions to determine if my ideas had been tried before volunteering suggestions."
Unlock all 25 Vanguard questions
Prepare for questions about low-cost investing principles and long-term client relationships.
Get Started