Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a clear understanding of why he or she should be hired. The applicant's answer to this question should help you determine if he or she is confident in his or her abilities and is able to communicate his or her strengths.
Sample Answer: I am confident that I can help your company grow. I have a strong background in finance and have worked with similar companies in the past. I am very familiar with your company's products and services.
Question Overview: As a finance manager, it is important to have a creative mind. The ideal candidate will have experience with saving or making money for the company. The applicant's answer to this question should help you gauge how creative the applicant is and how he or she goes about saving or making money.
Sample Answer: I was able to save the company $10,000 by negotiating with vendors and suppliers. I was able to negotiate a lower price for our office supplies and equipment.
Question Overview: The applicant should be able to explain the purpose of the company. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of the company's mission statement and goals.
Sample Answer: Diageo is a global spirits company that produces, markets, and sells alcoholic beverages worldwide. The company is headquartered in London and was founded in 1997.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a plan for his or her future. The applicant's answer to this question should help you determine if the candidate is a long-term planner or someone who is more interested in immediate gratification. The applicant's answer to this question should also help you determine if the candidate is interested in your company's future.
Sample Answer: I see myself as a finance manager for a large corporation. I want to be able to work with a team of analysts and help them grow in their careers.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience managing a team of employees. The applicant's answer should help you determine what level of management the candidate has achieved.
Sample Answer: I am a level 4 manager. I have experience managing a team of 15 employees.
Question Overview: A zero based budget environment is a company that has no budget for the upcoming year. The ideal candidate will have experience planning in this type of environment. A zero based budget environment can be difficult to plan for as there is no previous year's budget to use as a guideline. The applicant's answer should help you determine how he or she would plan in this type of environment.
Sample Answer: I would start with the previous year's budget and make adjustments based on the company's current financial situation. I would also take into account any changes in the company's goals and objectives.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a positive attitude and a desire to work with the company. The applicant's answer to this question should help you determine if he or she is interested in the company's products and services. The applicant should be able to explain why he or she wants to work for the company.
Sample Answer: I am interested in working for your company because I have used your products and services for years. I am familiar with your products and services and would like to be a part of the team that brings them to market.
Question Overview: As a finance manager, you are responsible for helping the business. The ideal candidate will have experience in helping the business in some way. The applicant's answer should help you determine how the candidate helped the business. Did the applicant improve efficiency? Did he or she increase revenue?
Sample Answer: I helped the business by improving efficiency. I created a new system for processing invoices and it saved us $50,000 per year.
Question Overview: As a finance manager, you will be working with other employees and managers. The ideal candidate will have experience resolving conflicts at work. The applicant's answer should help you determine how the candidate deals with conflict and if he or she has any experience resolving conflicts.
Sample Answer: I use a variety of methods to resolve conflicts at work. I try to understand the other person's point of view and then explain my own. If that does not work, I try to compromise. If that does not work, I try to find a solution that works for both parties.
Question Overview: As a finance manager, you will need to motivate your subordinates. The ideal candidate will have experience motivating others and will be able to explain his or her methods for doing so. The applicant's answer should help you determine what motivates the candidate and if he or she is able to motivate others.
Sample Answer: I will motivate my subordinates by giving them opportunities to grow within the company. I will also provide them with a comfortable work environment and a flexible schedule.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a plan for the first 90 days of employment. The applicant's answer to this question should help you determine how well he or she can plan ahead. The applicant should also be able to explain how he or she would implement the plan.
Sample Answer: I would spend the first week learning about your company and its financial documents. I would then create a 90-day plan for myself and my team. I would implement the plan immediately and report back to you on a weekly basis.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of statistics and be able to use that knowledge to answer questions. The applicant's answer should help you determine how well the candidate understands statistics and what methods he or she uses to gather information.
Sample Answer: The percentage of people in the world who wear earrings is approximately 10%. I used the Internet to gather this information.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have goals that are in line with the company's goals. The applicant's answer should help you determine if his or her goals are realistic and achievable. Does the applicant have a plan for achieving his or her goals?
Sample Answer: My goal is to become a finance manager. I have a plan to achieve this goal by working hard and learning as much as I can about finance.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a well-organized CV that is easy to read. The applicant's answer should help you determine how organized he or she is. Does the applicant have a CV that is easy to read and understand?
Sample Answer: I have included my CV in the application package.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a good relationship with his or her father. The applicant's answer should help you determine how well the candidate gets along with his or her father. The applicant's answer should also help you determine what the candidate needs to improve on.
Sample Answer: My father would say I am a hard worker and that I need to work on my time-management skills. I agree with him.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience overcoming difficult situations. The applicant's answer to this question should help you gauge what a difficult situation is to the candidate compared to the company's view of a difficult situation. The amount of difficulty may vary significantly among candidates. How did the applicant overcome the difficult situation?
Sample Answer: I had to overcome a difficult situation when I was asked to create a financial report in four hours. I stopped working on all non-essential tasks and brought in my assistant to sort through balance sheets while I examined statements of cash flow.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a strong moral compass and the ability to make the right decision in a difficult situation. The applicant's answer to this question should help you determine if he or she is willing to make the right decision in a difficult situation.
Sample Answer: I would not bribe a government official. I would report the incident to my superiors and let them handle it.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a clear understanding of the company's goals and how he or she can help the company succeed. The applicant's answer should help you determine how the candidate will fit into the company's goals. The applicant should be able to explain how he or she will help the company succeed.
Sample Answer: I can help Jamba succeed by making sure that all financial documents are accurate and submitted on time. I will also make sure that I am always available to answer any questions that may arise.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a strong work ethic and be willing to work hard. The applicant's answer should help you determine what the candidate considers hard work. Does the applicant consider working long hours to be hard work? Does the applicant consider working with little sleep to be hard work?
Sample Answer: Hard work is putting in extra effort when needed. I am willing to stay late or come in early if it means getting a project done.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a clear idea of what he or she wants to accomplish in the position. The applicant's answer should help you determine if the candidate is a good fit for your company. What are the applicant's short-term and long-term goals?
Sample Answer: My goals when working here are to learn as much as possible about the company and become a valuable asset. I want to be promoted within the first year.