Table of Contents
- Introduction to behavioural interviews
- STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
- Key behavioural questions
- Walk me through your resume / tell me about yourself
- Motivation questions (why banking / finance / this firm?)
- Leadership & teamwork stories
- Success & failure stories
- Strengths & weaknesses
- Walk me through a deal
- Other common behavioral questions
- Commercial awareness questions
- Following the news
- M&A market outlook
- Walk me through a deal
- How to handle unconventional questions
- Case-based behavioral questions
- Handling curveball questions
- Final interview tips
- Common mistakes to avoid
- How to stand out as a memorable candidate
- Strategies for virtual vs. in-person interviews
For voice-to-voice mock interviews (and much more soon!) visit getsenpai.com
1. Introduction to behavioural interviews
What banks look for in behavioural interviews
Investment banks focus on three main criteria during behavioural interviews:
- Ability – analytical / problem-solving abilities and resilience
- Motivation – genuine interest in finance and investment banking
- Personality – communication, teamwork, and adaptability
The importance of preparation
- Behavioural interviews require structured storytelling, not just answering questions
- Careful preparation in advance ensures concise, impactful answers
- However, do not rote-learn answers - it is essential to sound natural and authentic
- For each bank you are interviewing with, use their website, as well as wider internet search, to thoroughly prepare the following:
- Company history and values
- Structure of firm and its various divisions
- What sets the firm apart from its competitors
- Recent deals the firm has advised on