29 Branch Manager Interview Questions & Answers
Table of Contents
- 1. Accomplishment Questions
- 2. Adaptability Questions
- 3. Ask The Interviewer Questions
- 4. Behavioral Questions
- 5. Career Goals Questions
- 6. Communication Questions
- 7. Compatibility Questions
- 8. Competency Questions
- 9. Customer Service Questions
- 10. Discovery Questions
- 11. Experience Questions
- 12. Leadership Questions
- 13. Management Questions
- 14. Problem Solving Questions
- 15. Stress Questions
- 16. Teamwork Questions
Accomplishment
1. How do you like to be recognized for your accomplishments?
How to Answer
Everyone likes to be recognized for their effort and accomplishments in the workplace. Share with the interviewer how you would like to be recognized for your hard work. This can be through gifts, financial perks, time off, public recognition, kind words, promotions, and more.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
1st Answer Example
"As a branch manager, I think I'd be happiest with our branch being recognized as a whole because that means we are all working together to meet overall goals. However, I do appreciate kind words, so just knowing that my hard work is noticed would be pleasing to me."
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
2nd Answer Example
"I am compensation-driven. I like to be recognized for my accomplishments through monetary rewards or bonuses."
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Adaptability
2. Tell me about a time when you had conflicting priorities. How did you decide what came first?
How to Answer
Discuss how you prioritize when everything demands your attention at once. The interviewer would like to hear about a specific time you had conflicting priorities. Share how you handled the situation and the outcome. Feel free to share the types of tools you use to stay on task and meet deadlines.
Think about how you manage your projects and daily tasks and how those will help you succeed in your role as a Branch Manager.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
1st Answer Example
"In a previous position, I had a financial report due when an irate customer asked to speak to the manager. The report was important, but the customers and their concerns came first so I made it a priority to find out how to resolve the customer's issues. I had to work a little later to get the report done, but I didn't mind. The customer left happy, and the report was submitted, so to me, that was a win, win."
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
2nd Answer Example
"I manage my priorities by creating a list of things that I need to accomplish. This helps me stay on task and never miss a deadline."
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Ask The Interviewer
3. Do you have any questions for me?
How to Answer
It is always a good idea to have questions for the interviewer. Before your interview, make sure you conduct research on the company and thoroughly review the job description for any clarification you may need on the position. Even if your questions are answered during the interview, you should still ask an intelligent question as this shows your interest in the position and the company.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
1st Answer Example
"Yes, can you tell me why this position is vacant? Also, what do you like about working here?"
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Behavioral
4. Give me a situation where you had to deal with a difficult customer and how did you handle it?
How to Answer
As a branch manager, there may be times when you'll have to deal with demanding customers. Customers are trusting your bank with their money, so it comes as no surprise that issues have the potential to escalate quickly. The interviewer would like to hear a specific example that demonstrates how you react to these scenarios. Be sure to express your ability to solve problems while remaining professional.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Career Goals
5. What are your career goals?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to ensure that this will be a long-term fit for you and get an idea of your hopes for your career. Be open with the interviewer about your dreams within this company on a long-term basis. Share what promotions you hope to eventually receive and discuss what you wish to learn from being a branch manager for their organization. The key to answering this question is to express to the interviewer that you hope to be employed by the company for many years to come.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Career Goals
6. What are your future plans with this company?
How to Answer
This question is all about what you envision for your future with the company. The interviewer wants to know if you plan on staying with the company long-term and also wants to know if you have hopes to be promoted, build on your skills, train employees, etc. Your response will help both you and the interviewer determine if being hired is a good match for both of you.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Career Goals
7. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know what your plans are and whether or not you have set any. Tell the interviewer about your career goals in the next five years or so. Ensure to link your career goals to the company you are applying for to show the interviewer that you can be a long-term asset and look for stability. If you haven't set any, consider plans such as a promotion to an executive position within the company, being more educated in banking operations, transition into other areas of the bank, or being a high performer as a branch manager.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Communication
8. How do you approach explaining complex ideas in simple terms?
How to Answer
Explaining financial information and complex terms is crucial as a branch manager. You want your customers to understand the information you are providing, especially regarding contractual agreements. The interviewer wants to know that you can take complex ideas and communicate them in a way that is easy to understand for customers whose knowledge is likely less specialized in this area. In your response, describe your communication style.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Communication
9. How are your communication skills?
How to Answer
Both written and verbal communication are necessary skills to perform the duties of a Branch Manager. The interviewer wants to know how well you communicate in written and verbal form, whether talking in person, on the phone, emails, reports, or banking documentation.
Share your skill and confidence level in written communication. Also, if you have taken any courses in communication and writing, feel free to mention these to the interviewer. Talk to the interviewer about your written communication abilities and support your answer with a brief example or story.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Compatibility
10. What do you know about our company?
How to Answer
When considering a new job, having some knowledge about the company is important. The interviewer wants to know that you have taken the time to learn about the company. The best way to do this is by checking out their website, social media, reading reviews from clients and employees, and community news. You can learn about the company culture, products, services, performance, reputation, and more from these sources.
Assure the interviewer that you have done your due diligence to learn about the company and ensure it is a good fit for you. You can also ask the interviewer to share more information about the company.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Compatibility
11. What is it about our company that you like?
How to Answer
Whether you are a current employee or just starting, there are likely aspects that excite you about this company. Tell the interviewer the aspects of the company that attracted you the most and why. Link your answer with some of your values to demonstrate you are well suited for this role. Be sure to tie in how you plan to bring the enthusiasm for your job to their company.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Compatibility
12. Why should we hire you?
How to Answer
This question is often a challenge for individuals to respond to when they are unsure or can't articulate how they can successfully fulfill this role. If you can't think of ways to be unique, ask a few co-workers or friends what sets you apart from other people. Their observations may help you understand how you are perceived. It is also a good idea to think about the highlights of previous job performance reviews. If a supervisor praised you on a particular area that you do well or received recognition for making a significant impact on a project, feel free to mention this in your response if it relates to the branch manager role.
Perhaps you already know what sets you apart! Your answer could include any industry accolades, exceptional achievements, additional industry-related training, a second language, or your involvement in the community. Don't be afraid to brag about yourself a bit. In an interview, you are your most influential advocate.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Competency
13. When it comes to professional development, how do you stay on top of changes in the industry?
How to Answer
Once you are in your career, the learning still doesn't stop. There will always be trends or industry changes that you must know about, and the interviewer wants to learn how you stay in the know. Here are a few professional development examples you can use to demonstrate how you stay on top of changes in the industry:
-Attend conferences
-Take courses or workshops
-Networking with other professionals
-Read industry-related news
-Subscribe to industry-related blogs
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Competency
14. What do you consider the top priorities of a branch manager?
How to Answer
The role of a Branch Manager comes with many responsibilities. Reading the job description before the interview will allow you to see which ones have been highlighted for this particular job opening. Share with the interviewer the ones you think are top priorities and your reasons why.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Customer Service
15. How would you rate your customer service skills?
How to Answer
Customer service is a major responsibility of a branch manager. And unfortunately, not all customers are happy ones. Because of this, the interviewer wants to know how well your customer service skills are. Share with the interviewer your experience providing customer service. You can also rate your skills on a scale of 1 to 10, with ten being exceptional.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Discovery
16. What keeps you motivated?
How to Answer
When an interviewer asks this question, they are trying to discover what drives you to succeed in the workplace. Everyone is motivated by different factors such as making a positive impact, money, promotion, prestige or achieving specific results. This makes this question a challenging one to answer. However, be honest in your response and share how your motivation aligns with the company culture and job responsibilities.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Experience
17. Describe your experience with financial documents and data.
How to Answer
As a Branch Manager, you will be responsible for producing financial documents and data as a regular part of your job. Describe your financial experience and skill level. If your education has prepared you for this role, feel free to mention any courses you have taken to give you the knowledge needed to perform this job successfully.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Experience
18. What kind of experience do you have pertaining to this position?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to hear about your previous roles and opportunities that have prepared you for this role. Because of questions like this, it is essential to understand the job requirements and qualifications they are looking for in an ideal candidate.
In your response, you don't have to limit your experience to just branch manager positions. If you've never been a branch manager, that is ok! Experience that typically prepares someone for a branch manager position include:
-Branch management
-Running banking operations
-Meeting sales goals
-Supervising and training employees
-Customer service
-Managing a budget
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Experience
19. Tell us about your previous work experience that relates to this position.
How to Answer
Reading the job description AND your resume before the job interview will help you prepare for this question. It may sound odd that you would need to read your resume, but it is possible that you could forget the incredible work you've done in previous roles. Reading your resume will help you recall any work experience that aligns with the job description. Share any similarities between this role and the jobs you've previously had to demonstrate how you are the best fit for the job.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Experience
20. What experience do you have in banking?
How to Answer
The Branch Manager role is centered around the banking industry. Share your banking experience with the interviewer and how it aligns with the requirements of this role.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Experience
21. What methods do you use to prioritize work assignments?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know more about the types of tools you use to stay on task and meet deadlines. Discuss how you prioritize when everything demands your attention at once. Think about how you manage your projects and daily tasks and how those will help you succeed in your role as a branch manager.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Experience
22. What are your greatest strengths?
How to Answer
This question is often a challenge for people because they either don't know how they shine or don't know how to articulate it without sounding arrogant. However, if there are things you are great at, now is the time for you to share them! Before responding, think about the skills and experience mentioned in the job description and identify the ones you'd consider your strengths. These are the skills you want to mention in your response as they will demonstrate your ability to do the job well.
If you are unsure what your strengths are, think about the positive feedback from previous supervisors or co-workers. Share these with the interviewer.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Experience
23. What are your greatest weaknesses?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know the area you are weak or more challenged in when being a branch manager. You can be candid in your answer, recognizing that you aren't great at something and acknowledging your need to improve. However, pick weaknesses that are not core skills for this position. Be sure to have an action plan in place for improving on this weakness.
Perhaps you are watching TED talks to gain skills in a particular area, reading the latest and greatest book on the subject, or maybe you are taking a seminar at a nearby community center. Identify your weakness and the action taken for improvement. We are all human with our weaknesses, so don't be afraid to share yours!
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Leadership
24. Do you consider yourself a leader?
How to Answer
By definition, a leader can lead others, have authority, and make people work together towards a common goal. The interviewer wants to know if you consider yourself a leader and what it takes to lead others as a branch manager. Whether or not you have officially held leadership roles, you may possess leadership qualities. Be honest in your response and share if you possess the following common attributes of a leader:
-Good communicator
-Has a vision for the future
-Empathetic
-Accountable
-Expresses gratitude
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Management
25. How would you describe your management style?
How to Answer
As a Branch Manager, you will be responsible for managing others. Share with the interviewer your management style.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Management
26. Have you ever held a managing position before?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know if you have managerial or supervisory experience. As a branch manager, you will be responsible for managing all operational functions in the bank, from supervising employees to handling financial tasks. To prepare for this question, make sure you are familiar with the skills and experience mentioned in the job ad. In your response, share the management skills that align with what the company is seeking for this role.
If you don't have the specific skills they are seeking, describe your transferable skills. These are the skills that you've developed that can be used in any role. Some examples include:
-Communication
-Problem solving
-Analytical skills
-Creativity
-Project management
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Problem Solving
27. Give me an example of how you would grow deposits in your branch.
How to Answer
Increasing the number of deposits at the bank is an essential responsibility of a branch manager. The interviewer wants to know what strategies you will use to ensure deposits are growing. Some examples could be:
-Offer checking accounts for specific life stages
-Offer other services and incentives that support your customer's needs
-Build marketing campaigns around your best customers
-Offer a better deposit rate than the competition
-Offer discounts when loans are set up with an auto-pay account at your bank
-Effective marketing strategies
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Stress
28. Do you work well under stress?
How to Answer
As a Branch Manager, there may be times when dealing with employees, meeting financial goals, keeping customers happy, or just the regular duties of each day might become stressful. The interviewer wants to know if you are someone who can handle stress on the job. Explain how you manage stressful times and your ability to control pressure in the workplace.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021
Teamwork
29. How do you feel you will be able to contribute to the goals of the company?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know what value you will bring to the team. Engaged employees are always the most productive. Share with the interviewer how you plan to stay engaged to contribute to the company's overall goals.
Written by Ronda Barnes on October 5th, 2021