How would you handle an unhappy colleague or executive in a business meeting?
There may be times as a fintech financial analyst when your recommendations aren't welcomed. In many cases, you will be suggesting that the company make changes and not everyone loves change. The interviewer wants to know how you would handle this kind of conflict. Discuss how you will remain calm and look to diffuse the situation. If possible, throw in a real-life example of when you've successfully done this before.
"When I put forth recommendations, they are backed up by the financial models and statements that I've built and gathered. I don't make random suggestions, so, in other words, I believe in what I'm proposing, and I'm willing to stand up for it. Having said that, I respect that people might have different opinions. If a conflict arose, I wouldn't let it derail the entire meeting. I would address the person's concerns within the meeting in a friendly and non-judgmental way, supporting my assertations with data. If the discontent continued, I would request to meet one-on-one after the meeting so we could share our perspectives without an audience. Ultimately, the final decisions aren't made by me, so if all the decision-makers aren't on board, I might go back to the drawing board and look to modify and improve my recommendations."