How do you think your previous managers would describe you?

"I just recently met with my current manager for a review of my performance. She was very happy, specifically pointing out how organized and personable I am. Working in HR, I'm constantly juggling a variety of different responsibilities, and she praised me for not letting anything slip through the cracks whether it be a PTO request or a deadline for health insurance. I also frequently find myself serving as the middleman between management and my colleagues, and she said that in her view my calm and professional demeanor is an asset because it enables me to effectively handle both parties in a friendly yet firm manner."

This is a good opportunity to highlight your strengths and skills. If possible, refer to a recent performance review or feedback that you've received from your current manager. Focus on the positives and what you've been told you do well.

What have you done to build up your soft skills?

"As I've worked hard to graduate at the top of my class in college, I've also put time and effort into cultivating certain qualities that I believe will be beneficial to have within the fintech industry. At school, I spent a lot of time working with various teams to complete different projects, which has taught me teamwork and how to be an effective collaborator. I have also strived to be well-rounded and knowledgeable in multiple areas so that I can easily roll with the punches once I'm out in the workforce. This flexibility will benefit you as my employer because I'll be able to work with different teams and people on a variety projects without any trouble at all. I took public speaking and writing courses at school to enhance my communication skills, and on a personal level, I try every day to be solutions-oriented and a creative thinker so I can solve problems quickly and intelligently."

There are many different soft skills that are essential to have when working in the fintech industry. Some of these soft skills include being collaborative, adaptable/flexible, analytical, and energetic. It's also important to be an effective communicator and a problem-solver. Speak to any experience you have in these areas, and talk with the interviewer about how you've tried to cultivate these behaviors and qualities.

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

"Well, it's always fun to talk about my strengths! I like to believe that I am friendly, personable, relatable, and competent, all of which help me to quickly establish meaningful relationships with clients. One of my strengths also lies in my ability to explain complex financial concepts to the average person. It's helpful to be able to do this because then the client never feels lost or confused. I am able to break complicated financial information down to simple layman's terms and do so in a friendly manner so the client understands the value of our products and services to them. In terms of weaknesses, I would say that my biggest one is my talkative nature. This can be a positive in terms of making friends easily or in winning over clients, but I consciously have to keep in it in check so I don't waste the client's time, especially during earnings season, and so I don't waste my own precious time that needs to be spent contacting multiple clients. I am aware of this tendency and many times even set a timer when I call a client just as a personal reminder to myself to keep things succinct."

This is a commonly asked interview question so it's a good idea to brainstorm your strengths and weaknesses prior to the interview and be prepared to discuss them. When it comes to strengths, pick ones that align with the open position. When it comes to weaknesses, discuss one that you're able to spin positively or that you can show you've made steps to overcome. The interviewer won't expect you to be perfect, but they will want to see that you are self-aware and making changes to lessen your flaws.

What kind of experience do you have conducting data analysis?

"In college, I double-majored in economics and computer science, and these degrees have bolstered my ability to succeed as a fintech data analyst. In my last role, I gained a lot of experience in gathering and cleansing large datasets, and now I am fully ready to take on the added responsibilities of analyzing and visualizing that data as well. I'm fully comfortable using SQL technology and also have familiarity with NoSQL databases like HBase and MongoDB. In addition, I've taken online courses to build up my statistical skills in regression analysis, distributions, and statistical testing."

Data scientists, data analysts, and data specialists are all in high demand in the fintech field. If this is the route you're interested in pursuing, you'll need to be proficient in performing data analyses and using visualization tools, query languages, and NoSQL databases. Share any experience you have in this area with the interviewer; if you recently graduated from college, talk about the data-related classes you've taken and how eager you are to put what you've learned to use in real life.

What do you know about automation?

"One of the things I love most about being in fintech is how innovative and fast-moving it is. Even within only a few years time, I've witnessed new tools and software programs come along that have increased the speed and accuracy of various processes in fintech. Automation is a key component of this evolution and progression because it helps to eliminate the repetitiveness of certain procedures and simplifies complex tasks. It's beneficial because it minimizes human error and improves safety. I believe that automation will continues to be further and further integrated into the fintech field over the coming years, and I'm excited to be a part of that."

Fintech uses new and improved digital technologies to deliver better results quicker for consumers and companies. Because of this, many fintech roles require a deep understanding of how to combine AI and machine learning with automation to improve the efficiency of various processes. Talk about the role of automation in fintech with the interviewer. Emphasize your comprehension and passion in this area.

What do you know about cybersecurity?

"Cybersecurity refers to protecting networks, devices, and data from unauthorized and criminal use, and the need for it is growing as the fintech industry itself grows. As financial technology becomes easier to use and less expensive, many financial services are becoming more accessible to the general public. This is great; however, it also increases the odds that bad actors will target these users and the companies that offer these services. In my last role as a fintech security analyst for a startup, I gained experience in protecting company networks by installing firewalls and anti-virus software and educating employees about phishing and password best practices. I'm also well-versed in regulations like the California Privacy Act and the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The need for cybersecurity in fintech only continues to grow, and I look forward to continuing to be a part of it."

Fintech startups, in particular, need to protect themselves from hackers and costly breaches. If you're looking to become a fintech security analyst or to work in cybersecurity, you'll want to impress the interviewer with your answer to this question. Define cybersecurity and talk about any experience you have in this space.

Do you have any fintech-related certifications?

"After earning a computer science degree and starting my career as a fintech security analyst, I decided to complete a few online certification programs that I felt would strengthen my foundational knowledge in fintech and also help to direct my career. So, first I took and completed the Fintech: Foundations & Applications program from Wharton that focused on both fintech building blocks and real-world applications. It covered topics like financial regulation, blockchain applications, peer-to-peer lending, and portfolio management. Several years later, I decided to also earn a Professional Certificate in FinTech from the University of Hong Kong. I chose this program because of its emphasis on the regulatory aspects of fintech and blockchain, both of which are areas of interest to me. I'm always looking to increase my knowledge in this field because I'm passionate about it and recognize the importance of staying up on new concepts and technologies."

There are many fintech programs available online. Talk to the interviewer about any certifications you've earned, especially those that pertain to this specific role, and any you plan to complete in the future. In addition, mention any college degrees or other education you have. Emphasize your love of learning and how you strive to stay abreast of new concepts and tools.

Why should we hire you instead of another candidate?

"I know that you have probably interviewed lots of great candidates, but I truly believe that I'm the person you should hire. To start, I am passionate about both finance and people, a combination that allows me to be a great account manager in the fintech field. I'm also a natural networker who can quickly build meaningful relationships with clients and prospects, and I enjoy educating people about products that will help them. After several years of working in the fintech account management space, I am experienced and will be able to provide value to your company from day one."

This question provides you with a great opportunity to sell yourself and what you have to offer. You'll want to differentiate yourself from other candidates by highlighting your skills and achievements. Focus on how the company will benefit from hiring you instead of someone else.

Go ahead and sell me this pen right now.

"As I can see, you conduct a lot of interviews, right? And I've noticed that you use a pen to write down your notes about the candidate. Without a doubt, this pen right here is the best one on the market because it writes reliably and smoothly, plus for a very reasonable price, you get a professional and attractive pen that you'll be proud to carry with you to interviews. Most importantly, though, you can count on this pen to work every time you use it and for years. Never again will you be in the middle of conducting an interview and discover that your pen has run out of ink. So, tell me, are you ready to place an order?"

If you're interviewing for a fintech sales role, be prepared to talk about and sell one of the company's products or another random object to the interviewer. In this case, great product knowledge and an ability to sell are musts. Be sure to research the company's products prior to the interview so you can discuss them. No matter what you're asked to sell, point out how its features will benefit the interviewer and make sure to close the sale.

Explain what the term fintech means.

"Fintech is an abbreviated way to say 'financial technology,' and it refers to technology that delivers financial services through software. Basically, fintech strives to help consumers and companies manage and streamline their financial operations and processes via computer and smartphone algorithms and software programs. There are so many branches of fintech, including online banking, mobile payment apps, and cryptocurrency, and it's used in many different sectors and industries like insurance, banking, lending, financial compliance, and wealth management, among others. I'm motivated to get into this field because I am passionate both about finance and technology. I think it'll be an exciting and innovative field to work in, and I know I have the academic background and skills to excel."

The fintech field has exploded in more recent years since the revolutions of the internet and smartphones, yet some still don't understand what the general term 'fintech' really means. Since you're applying for a job in this field, the interviewer wants to be certain you can define the term and that you fully understand the field you'll be working in.

Tell me what you know about compound interest and the time value of money.

"Compound interest refers to how interest increases exponentially over time. This might be the interest associated with a loan, bank account, or investment, and the interesting thing is how it compounds exponentially rather than linearly. This is why I think it's so important to reinvest dividends on an investment, because over time the reinvested dividends will compound along with the initial investment, causing your returns to grow drastically. The time value of money, on the other hand, is the concept that money you have now is worth more than the same amount of money in the future because of its potential earning capacity. In other words, because money can earn interest, it is worth more the sooner it is received."

Applying for a job in the fintech space means you need to be prepared for interview questions about financial concepts and terminology. Although the interviewer won't expect you to be an expert, they will be looking for you to be able to define and explain most terms and concepts. Prior to the interview, brush up on financial basics and be prepared to discuss them.

What are your thoughts about the current state of the market?

"I tend to follow the stock market pretty closely because I personally invest so I like to know what's going on. As a result, I usually glance at the headlines on Yahoo Finance every morning before I start work. I also like to read the Wall Street Journal on the weekends for more in-depth news. Just yesterday the S&P 500 and the Dow closed at record highs that were based on renewed recovery hopes. Volatility has recently retreated to pre-pandemic lows due to fiscal stimulus and swift Covid-19 vaccinations across the nation. Although I pay attention to the ups and downs of the market, I am usually more of a long-term investor who buys and holds so I don't worry too much on a day-to-day basis about how the market performed."

Applying for a job in the fintech space means you need to be prepared for interview questions about the stock market and finance in general. Although you don't need to be an expert in this subject, most fintech interviewers will be looking for you to have an interest in this area and to be able to hold an intelligent conversation about current financial events. Prior to the interview, brush up on what's happening in the financial world.

What is your biggest achievement to date?

"As a fintech product manager, I've been a part of numerous product launches by this point in my career; however, there's one launch in particular that I classify as a great achievement of mine. At the time, I worked for a fintech startup and this was only their second product launch ever. We worked for months, identifying market opportunities, talking to and surveying potential customers, running beta tests, and developing the new product. When it finally launched, we coordinated a marketing campaign blitz that announced the new product to both existing clients and prospects. In the end, the launch went off without a hitch, and the company acquired hundreds of new clients in only the first few weeks, in addition to upgrading numerous existing customers. I found my deep involvement in a product launch that dramatically impacted the success of a small company to be incredibly gratifying."

The interviewer wants to hear about something you accomplished that was meaningful to you. Whatever you choose, you'll want to emphasize the hard work, dedication, and effort you spent to achieve it. If possible, try to connect your greatest accomplishment in some way with the fintech role you're trying to land.

Why do you want to leave your current position?

"To be honest, I'm just ready for a change. I've been with my current employer for over five years now and although I enjoy so much about the job and the people I work with, there hasn't been much of an opportunity to grow despite my desire to do so. I have gained some experience in mentoring others, and I believe I'm ready to do more of that. Consequently, this position excites me in large part because it'll allow me to manage and lead others. I have done a lot of research on your company and this role and believe it's an ideal fit for both of us."

The interviewer will be looking for red flags in your answer so no matter what make sure not to speak negatively about your current employer (even if they deserve it!) Be honest but also positive. Emphasize how much you're looking forward to the future and how excited you are to try something new.

Do you have a big network?

"Yes. Over the years I have built a large network of decision-makers in the industry. Earlier on, when I worked as a junior-level fintech sales rep, I made an effort to begin connecting with many of the prospects and clients that I spoke to on the phone every day. I always strove to be friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful so that I became a resource that these folks came to when they had questions or needed help. I also spent a few minutes on a daily basis using LinkedIn to follow up with the people I had recently met. As I've done these things over the years, I've established a vast network of contacts in the fintech field who trust me. When I recommend products or services to them, I can confidently say that most of them take my recommendations seriously. I look forward to introducing your products to the many professional contacts I have."

An interviewer might ask this question if you are interviewing for a fintech sales or account management position. If you have a large and established network, it might very well give you a leg up on other candidates, especially if it's comprised of people in the industry. The interviewer will view this as a positive because some of the people in your network might be interested in buying their products/services.

What about this particular role excites you?

"I am very excited about your open fintech data analyst role. Although I've been casually looking at job postings for several months now, yours was the first that I jumped on because it immediately piqued my interest. The job responsibilities align perfectly with what I'm interested in doing and what my background is in. After I spent more time researching your company, what it does, and its culture, I knew that this was an ideal fit for me. I'm aware that you have a large data department, which sounds amazing. I would love to be surrounded by colleagues who are as passionate about data as I am. I'm also very interested in finance and investing so your company's line of work and the data I'd be working with greatly appeals to me. I couldn't be more excited about this opportunity."

A frequently asked interview question, you'll want to be prepared to answer it in a confident manner. Do your research on the company and role prior to the interview so you can discuss specific items. You'll want to show the interviewer that you are highly interested in this particular position. Emphasize how enthusiastic you are about the company and role.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

"I've worked in the human resources field within fintech for my entire career so far, and this is where I believe I'm meant to be. Fast forward five years, and I still plan to be working in fintech HR. I do see myself gaining more and more higher-level responsibility, however, as I learn and grow. In particular, I want to become more of an expert in the area of recruiting as I like this part of my job a lot, but I know that I have so much more to learn here especially when it comes to locating qualified candidates, building relationships with them, and educating them about the company and role. I also look forward to managing more people as I become more experienced. I'm looking for a long-term job where I can continue to gain experience and more responsibility as I become even more knowledgeable and proficient in fintech HR."

The key here is to make sure that your career aspirations line up with the role that you're currently discussing with the interviewer. If your career goals are totally unrelated to the position, this will likely be a red flag for the interviewer. Be honest, but try to emphasize that you're looking to commit for the long-term and that you're interested in the relevant field.

Give me a brief overview of your career to date.

"Several years ago, I graduated from college with a degree in finance. Given my outgoing nature, passion for investing, and interest in building relationships with others, I knew that I was cut out for financial sales so I applied and interviewed with several fintech startups that provided investment research and analytics to their customers. One of them seemed like a great fit, so I decided to cut my teeth there as a junior sales representative where I spent the majority of my days calling and talking to prospects in the finance industry. I started to establish a network of connections, and after a few years, new sales hires began coming to me for guidance and help. As a result, I discovered a desire and aptitude for leading and managing others. Now that it's time for me to progress in my career, I'm very interested in your fintech sales manager position because I know that my background and experience will allow me to excel."

Prior to the interview, prepare a quick summary of your career history and practice saying it several times so you can speak confidently. You'll want to show progression and talk about lessons you've learned. You might also discuss goals you have as you move up the career ladder. Try to connect your career history and aspirations with the current role.

Why do you want to work for our company?

"Since college, I have been highly interested in working for a BigTech firm like yours. I'm immensely impressed by how innovative your company is, and I think it's thrilling that it has such a massive global customer base. I've done a lot of research on it, including checking out your company's LinkedIn pages, and I believe I'll fit perfectly into your culture because I am also a creative thinker who works hard and loves to give back to others. Additionally, I personally use your products and would love to have the opportunity to introduce them to others, in addition to teaching others how your products can help them to be more productive, mobile, and collaborative."

An interviewer would generally ask this question to determine how interested you really are in both the role and their company. Prior to the interview, you'll want to have thoroughly researched the company and its products, industry, competitors, big clients, and employee culture so you can confidently answer a question like this one. Emphasize the things about the company that appeal to you and why you'll be a great fit.

What type of fintech firm do you prefer to work for?

"During my job search, I've noticed open fintech positions at banks, startups, BigTech firms, and firms with financial divisions. I've put a lot of thought into the type of firm that would be the best fit for me personally, and I believe that would be a startup like yours. While the BigTech names like Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, and Google are impressive-sounding, I would love to be a part of a smaller company where I can see the direct impact of my work on a daily basis. I really want to make a difference in helping a startup grow and succeed. Also, I've specifically researched your startup, and its mission, vision, products, and culture all appeal to me. I'm convinced I'd be the perfect fit for this role within your company."

Fintech job seekers typically center their job search on banks, startups, BigTech firms, and firms with financial divisions. Talk to the interviewer about the type of firm you most prefer to work for and why. While you want to be honest, aligning your preferences with their company type will show that you will be a good fit if they decide to hire you.

Tell me about a time when you solved a problem in a creative way.

"As a fintech app developer, I encounter challenging dilemmas all the time. I'm constantly trying to figure out solutions for various engineering and technology-related hurdles that come up as my team and I develop new apps. Recently, we were struggling to select the right tech stack to use for a new banking app that we were developing. We wanted to find one that would offer the best mobile usability results while incurring the least amount of effort to build the app. To resolve this issue, I suggested conducting a side-by-side comparison of popular tech stacks so we could easily look at the pros and cons for all of them. We also took into account cost and timeline restraints. Finally, when we were still struggling to make a decision, I contacted a system architect who was able to guide us."

No matter the type of fintech role you're interested in, you'll want to show the interviewer that you are an innovative and critical thinker. This is especially the case if you're interviewing for a technical role. Discuss an example of a time in the past when you creatively solved a problem. If you can't think of an example from work, provide a personal example instead.

What is data verification and why is it necessary?

"Data verification refers to checking to make sure data is accurate and consistent. Many times verification takes place when data is migrated or merged from external data sources. The reason it's important is because even small mistakes in data can result in huge problems and incorrect results. For example, if you're merging customer information and one of the columns of information gets accidentally shifted up or down, this can cause you to have incorrect information listed for every single customer. In my last role, I played a part in an ongoing verification process whereby periodically I would check to make sure the information we had recorded for the upper management of various companies was up-to-date and accurate. This was necessary because our product tracked CEO and management changes to aid our clients in their investment decisions."

If you're interviewing for a data-related fintech position, you will likely be asked about data verification. Be prepared to define the term and to discuss why it is important. If possible, provide an example of a time when you've personally verified data.

Explain the meaning of blockchain in general terms.

"I'd say that a blockchain is essentially a digital record of transactions. Each record is called a block and they are linked together into a single list that is referred to as a chain. Most commonly, blockchains are used to record cryptocurrency transactions like Bitcoin, but they can be used in other situations as well. A peer-to-peer network of computers work together to validate each transaction before it is added to the blockchain. I have several years of experience in creating secure systems that record and store blockchain data, and I look forward to continuing to gain even more experience and knowledge in this space."

The interviewer might pose this question if you're interviewing for a blockchain developer position. Define blockchain in simple terms and describe any experience you have with it.

What have you done to build up your hard skills?

"Now that I've spent a few years in fintech since graduating college, I know this is where I want to be. Since my desire is to help create mobile apps, full-stack platforms, and user-responsive websites, I am always looking for opportunities to increase my programming knowledge and know-how. As a result, I frequently take online courses and attend boot camps so I can learn more about various programming languages like Linux, Java, Python, JavaScript, C++, and SQL. I know that the more well-rounded and informed I am, the easier it is for me to step into a new position or advance in my current one. I want to be the go-to programmer that your development team can depend on."

If your goal is to work as a programmer, app designer, or hardware engineer for a fintech company, you need to be proficient in hard skills like coding and front-end development. Fintech firms need apps developed, product APIs created, platforms maintained, and user interfaces/experiences designed and implemented. Tell the interviewer about the classes you've taken, certifications you've earned, and other things you've done to build up your hard skills.

What four financial statements are used to monitor a company's financial health?

"The four financial statements that are most commonly used to gauge a company's financial health include the income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, and equity statement. The income statement, which is also called a profit and loss statement, shows a company's profits and losses over a period of time, which allows you to see if the company is profitable or not. The balance sheet, meanwhile, tracks a company's financial progress and displays its assets, liabilities, and equity. A cash flow statement shows the money that goes in and out of a company, while an equity statement displays the retained earnings or profit that a company can use to invest or pay off liabilities."

If you're interviewing for a financial analyst role or something similar, there's a very good chance the interviewer will quiz you on some of your financial and accounting knowledge. Brush up on financial terminology and concepts prior to the interview so you can respond confidently and knowledgeably.

Fintech Interview Questions

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1. How do you think your previous managers would describe you?
2. What have you done to build up your soft skills?
3. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
4. What kind of experience do you have conducting data analysis?
5. What do you know about automation?
6. What do you know about cybersecurity?
7. Do you have any fintech-related certifications?
8. Why should we hire you instead of another candidate?
9. Go ahead and sell me this pen right now.
10. Explain what the term fintech means.
11. Tell me what you know about compound interest and the time value of money.
12. What are your thoughts about the current state of the market?
13. What is your biggest achievement to date?
14. Why do you want to leave your current position?
15. Do you have a big network?
16. What about this particular role excites you?
17. Where do you see yourself in five years?
18. Give me a brief overview of your career to date.
19. Why do you want to work for our company?
20. What type of fintech firm do you prefer to work for?
21. Tell me about a time when you solved a problem in a creative way.
22. What is data verification and why is it necessary?
23. Explain the meaning of blockchain in general terms.
24. What have you done to build up your hard skills?
25. What four financial statements are used to monitor a company's financial health?

Fintech Interview Questions

1. How do you think your previous managers would describe you?

2. What have you done to build up your soft skills?

3. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

4. What kind of experience do you have conducting data analysis?

5. What do you know about automation?

6. What do you know about cybersecurity?

7. Do you have any fintech-related certifications?

8. Why should we hire you instead of another candidate?

9. Go ahead and sell me this pen right now.

10. Explain what the term fintech means.

11. Tell me what you know about compound interest and the time value of money.

12. What are your thoughts about the current state of the market?

13. What is your biggest achievement to date?

14. Why do you want to leave your current position?

15. Do you have a big network?

16. What about this particular role excites you?

17. Where do you see yourself in five years?

18. Give me a brief overview of your career to date.

19. Why do you want to work for our company?

20. What type of fintech firm do you prefer to work for?

21. Tell me about a time when you solved a problem in a creative way.

22. What is data verification and why is it necessary?

23. Explain the meaning of blockchain in general terms.

24. What have you done to build up your hard skills?

25. What four financial statements are used to monitor a company's financial health?