Question Bank: Sales and Trading

Are you looking for your purple squirrel in Sales and Trading? Not to worry, we here are ConveyIQ by Entelo are here to help with some questions that can help you locate your purple squirrel!

Below, you will find questions divided into sub-categories for Sales and Trading.

Analytical Reasoning

1. Give me an example of a time when you were exceptionally motivated. Describe the experience. What does that say about you?
2. How would you allocate $60 M today?
3. How would you feel about selling a stock that you were ethically opposed to or didn’t believe in? Sell me that stock.
4. Pretend that I am a portfolio manager for a mutual fund. Explain to me why I should buy the latest IPO the firm has underwritten.
5. Rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 on the type of risk taker you are. Tell me why and give examples to support your claims. (What is the biggest risk you've ever taken?)
6. What did the FED do at the last meeting? Do you agree with the FED's actions?
7. What do you think the FED will do at the next meeting and why?
8. What's the safest possible investment in today's markets?
9. What would you do to solve the current financial crisis?
10. When inflationary fear rises, what two forms of macroeconomic policy does the government have to try to slow the economy?
11. Why do you think you would be good at sales and trading?

General Experience

1. Give me an example of a time when your assertiveness paid off. One that it didn’t.
2. Give me an example of your persuasive skills in action.
3. How do you stay up to date with the markets?
4. How do you work in teams?
5. How well do you handle surprises? Give me an example.
6. Rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 on the type of risk taker you are. Tell me why and give examples to support your claims. (What is the biggest risk you've ever taken?)
7. Tell me about a high-stress situation you’ve been in. How did you handle it?
8. Tell me about a time that you failed/your biggest failure.
9. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult client
10. Tell me about a time when you needed to convince someone of your trust and sincerity. What did you do?
11. Walk me through your resume.
12. What are your short/long-term goals?
13. What do you think of the way the government treats inside traders?
14. Which are you interested in? Equity or fixed income and why?
15. Why are you passionate about the markets?
16. You look like someone nice; how would I know that you can deal with a difficult client?

Most Popular Questions

1. Recommend a stock to me.
2. Tell me what you think a trader does. What is a trader responsible for?
3. The trading floor has a very fast pace. How do you think you would cope with that pace?
4. What do you think it takes to be successful at sales?
5. What qualities do you bring to sales and trading?

Problem Solving

1. Describe an example of a challenging interpersonal conflict and how you resolved it.
2. Give me an example of a time when there was a decision to be made and procedures were not in place. What was the outcome?" Give me an example of a time you had to make a difficult decision.
3. Have you ever had difficulty getting others to accept your ideas? What was your approach?
4. What is the hardest thing you have ever done? Biggest accomplishment?

Technical

1. Explain the last six months of the US finance industry.
2. For gold, oil, and the DOW, tell me where it is, where you see one year from today in percentage change.
3. How can the government influence the economy?
4. How does inflation affect the bond market? The stock market?
5. How would you go about selling the idea of a derivatives hedge to a prospective client?
6. Is Capitalism an inflationary or deflationary system?
7. Name a fixed income product you would recommend I buy.
8. What do you think about transaction tax?
9. What factors control currency exchange rates?
10. What is libor? What is libor's current level?
11. What is worst for the economy: Inflation or Deflation?
12. What role does the housing market play in the economy?