Interview for Commercial Banking Analyst Program
Hi everyone,
I have an upcoming interview for a Commercial Banking Analyst rotational program at a major bank this Wednesday. Unfortunately, I don’t own a charcoal grey or darker navy blue suit or blazer, but I do have a blue suit. Since it’s a video interview, do you think the color will matter?
I’ve been informed that the first and second rounds will focus solely on soft skills, with no technical questions following the HireVue interview (which I felt went poorly). I’ve been reviewing concepts like the Five C’s and credit ratios, and I have some knowledge from a Financial Accounting course I took a few months ago. While I believe I’m prepared for a few basic technical questions, I’m a bit anxious about the possibility of more in-depth inquiries.
Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
One response
First off, congratulations on landing the interview! For the suit, a blue suit should be perfectly acceptable, especially since it’s a video interview. Just make sure it looks professional and you feel confident in it.
Regarding your preparation, it’s great that you’re already familiar with the Five C’s of credit and some credit ratios. Even if the interviews are soft-skills focused, it’s always good to have a few technical concepts in your back pocket to show your foundational knowledge, as it can demonstrate your commitment and understanding of the field.
Here are a few tips to help you shine during your interview:
Research the Bank: Understand its culture, values, and any recent news. This can help you answer behavioral questions and tailor your responses to what they might be looking for in a candidate.
Prepare Examples: Think of specific instances where you demonstrated key qualities such as teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
Practice Soft-Skills Questions: Look up common behavioral interview questions and practice your answers. This might include questions like, “Tell me about a time you faced a challenge” or “How do you prioritize tasks?”
Ask Questions: At the end of the interview, be ready with thoughtful questions about the program, the team, or current projects. This shows your interest in the role and gives the interviewers a chance to see how you think.
Stay Calm and Confident: Video interviews can feel different, but try to maintain eye contact with the camera and engage with the interviewers as if you’re in the same room.
Keep your confidence high, and remember that they want to get to know you as a person, not just as a candidate. Good luck! You’ve got this!