5 Questions to Ask While Interviewing a Finance Candidate

Hiring the wrong person in the finance industry can be a costly mistake that no one wants to make. Whether you were misled during the hiring process, or if it just didn’t end up being the right fit, it’s always frustrating to have to start from square one and begin your search anew. That’s why it’s important to hire smarter from the beginning and ask the right questions that will help you identify the right candidate for the role. Professional financial recruiters suggest asking these five questions during the interview to ensure that you are hiring the right person for the job.

1. Why Do You Want to Work Here?

This question can quickly help you identify how serious the candidate is about the role. A vague or generic answer indicates that they didn’t care enough to research your company and the position, and that they may only be interested in simply getting a job and getting paid. Not only does this tell you that they have poor work habits, but also that they aren’t really invested in your company, its goals, and that they lack a level of conscientiousness that you should always be looking for in finance candidates.

2. What Do You Like About Finance?

By asking this question you’ll be able to determine if a candidate is really passionate about the finance industry, or if they are just someone giving it a try. The problem with the latter is that you may end up losing this person if somewhere down the road they decide finance isn’t for them.

3. What is Your Five-Year Plan?

Another way to determine a candidate’s interest in the finance industry (and your company) is to ask them what their five-year plan is. What are their career goals, and are they finance-related? Do they involve working at your company? These are all important questions to ask if you want to get yourself an employee who is in it for the long-run.

4. What Motivates You?

People driven by success make better hires, which is why finance recruiters are interested in what makes a candidate tick. This question will help you determine what the candidate’s motivations are and if they align with your company and its culture.

5. Why Should I Hire You?

Despite being a bit cliché, it’s important that you ask this question because it gives the candidate an opportunity to sell themselves and show how they stand out from the competition. When giving you their ‘pitch’ they should let you know about what key qualities they have to bring to the table that no one else does. You can also determine a person’s level of confidence by the way they speak about themselves; if you find that they’re underselling then it might be a sign of a lack of confidence.

Call on an Expert

Even with the right questions in hand, it’s not always easy to find the right finance candidate for the job. That’s why turning to finance headhunters is often the best option when hiring for a new role. With their expertise you can rest easy knowing that they will help you find the perfect match.