Tell me about a time you presented an oral report to a client or employer. How did you ensure the information was absorbed?
When financial analysts present their findings to senior management or other decision-makers, they'll need to showcase every aspect of their communication skills - verbal, nonverbal, and written - to present their findings clearly and concisely. A good presentation tells a story. Showcase how you make numbers interesting and relevant. If you are presenting to investment bankers, they may be interested in different information than the CEO of a startup marketing firm. Thus, you must know your audience before presenting. Think of a time when you did just that! Highlight for the interviewer how you presented persuasively while making the data understandable and absorbable.
"I worked as an in-house financial analyst at a marketing firm this past year and gave a presentation on their financial forecast. I wanted to tell the story in a relevant way, so I put the information into perspective by showing them how my research would affect their business growth and help them get where they wanted to go. I hired a graphic designer to make the presentation visually engaging and compared their brand story to one of their strongest competitors, using numbers and potential outcomes to capture their attention."
