20 Barings Interview Questions and Answers

Barings is a global investment management firm with over $275 billion in assets under management. With offices in 16 countries, Barings has a long history of helping clients grow and preserve their wealth.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Barings, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, qualifications, and goals. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample Barings interview questions and answers.

Barings Interview Process

The interview process at Barings can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screen with HR, followed by multiple interviews with team members. The interviews are generally conversational, and focus on behavioral questions and fit within the company. There may also be a case study or technical component to the interview process. Overall, the interview process is lengthy, but gives candidates a chance to meet with multiple people within the company to get a sense of fit.

1. Give an example of how you would handle a difficult situation with a client.

Barings is a financial institution, so it’s likely that you’ll be working with clients at some point in your career there. Interviewers ask this question to see how you would handle conflict and whether you have the skills necessary to work as a customer service representative. In your answer, try to show that you can remain calm under pressure and solve problems effectively.

Example: “When I worked as a teller, I had a client who was upset because he didn’t get his money on time. He started yelling at me, which made me nervous. However, I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. I explained to him why he hadn’t received his money yet and apologized for any inconvenience. He calmed down after that and thanked me for my explanation.”

2. What is your experience working in the financial industry?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and experience. It’s important to highlight any unique or impressive experiences you’ve had in this industry, such as promotions, awards or certifications.

Example: “I have been working in the financial industry since I graduated college with my bachelor’s degree. My first job was at a small investment firm where I worked as an entry-level analyst. After two years of hard work, I earned my certification as a Certified Financial Analyst and moved up to a larger company where I could use my skills to help clients make better investments.”

3. How do you think you can contribute to Barings?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer how your skills and experience can benefit their company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your relevant qualifications and emphasize what you can bring to Barings that other candidates might not be able to.

Example: “I have a strong background in financial analysis and I’m highly motivated to succeed. These are two qualities that I think would make me a valuable asset to Barings. In my previous role as a financial analyst, I was responsible for analyzing data and identifying trends within it. This helped me develop strategies for making investments that were likely to yield high returns.”

4. Do you have any experience with investment research?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and experience. If you have any relevant experience, share it with them. If not, you can explain that you are eager to learn more about investment research.

Example: “I do have some experience with investment research. In my last role as an analyst at a financial firm, I was responsible for researching companies and their stocks. I would look into the company’s history, its management team and its competitors. Then, I would make recommendations based on what I found. I also had to keep up-to-date on current events in the stock market.”

5. Tell me about a time when you had to work with a team that was not very cohesive, how did you deal with it?

Barings is a company that values teamwork and collaboration. This question helps the interviewer determine how you would fit into their culture of teamwork. Use your answer to highlight your ability to work with others, communicate effectively and solve problems together as a team.

Example: “At my previous job, I worked on a team of five people who all had different ideas about what we should be doing. We were working on a project for a client, but none of us could agree on which direction to take it in. Rather than try to convince everyone else, I decided to lead by example. I started working on one aspect of the project and delegated other tasks to each member of the team. By taking charge, I was able to get the rest of the team to follow along.”

6. Describe a time where you were responsible for managing multiple projects at once.

Barings is a large company that requires employees to manage multiple projects at once. The interviewer wants to know how you handle multitasking and prioritize your work. Use examples from previous jobs where you had to balance several tasks or responsibilities at the same time.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing three different teams of financial analysts. Each team worked on separate projects with unique deadlines. To ensure all projects were completed by their due dates, I scheduled weekly meetings with each team to discuss progress and any challenges they faced. This helped me identify which project required more attention and allowed me to provide support as needed.”

7. What do you know about our company and what makes us different from other firms?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to see how much research you’ve done on their company. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you’re passionate about working for Barings and are eager to learn more about the firm.

Example: “Barings is one of the oldest investment banks in the world, with offices all over Europe. I know that your company has been around since 1762, which makes it one of the longest-running financial institutions in history. You have a reputation for being innovative and forward-thinking, which is why I’m so excited to be here today. I can’t wait to get started.”

8. Why are you interested in this position?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your background and why you are looking for this specific role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention something that caught your attention in the job description or how you learned of the position.

Example: “I am interested in this position because I have always been passionate about finance and investments. After reading through the job description, I noticed that Barings offers many investment opportunities, which made me want to apply even more. I think my skills and experience would make me an excellent fit for this role.”

9. Have you had any experience dealing with clients? If so, describe a time where you had to resolve a conflict between two or more clients.

Barings is a financial institution that works with clients, so it’s important to show you can handle conflict resolution. This question also allows the interviewer to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you might fit in at Barings.

Example: “I have worked with many different types of clients throughout my career. In one instance, I had two clients who were both looking for investment opportunities. One client wanted to invest in stocks while the other was interested in investing in bonds. I spoke with each client separately and found out what their goals were. Then, I helped them find investments that would help them reach those goals.”

10. What are some skills you learned from your previous jobs that could be useful here?

Barings is a highly competitive company, and they want to hire the best candidates. They also want employees who are willing to learn new skills and adapt to change. This question helps them determine whether you’re open to learning new things and how much you’ve grown as an employee over the years. Use this opportunity to highlight your ability to learn quickly and develop new skills.

Example: “I learned many valuable skills from my previous job, including time management, communication and problem-solving. I was promoted twice during my five years there, so it’s clear that my employers valued these skills in me. However, I’m always looking for ways to improve myself and would welcome any training or development opportunities Barings might offer.”

11. How do you keep up with the latest trends in the market?

Barings is a financial institution, so it’s important that you stay up to date with the latest trends in the market. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re committed to your career and are willing to learn new things. In your answer, explain how you keep yourself informed about current events. Share any resources or publications you use to learn more about the industry.

Example: “I have several subscriptions to different financial publications. I also follow many experts in the field on social media. I find these outlets to be very helpful when learning about the newest developments in the industry. I also try to attend at least one conference per year to hear from some of the top professionals in the world.”

12. What are your short term & long term goals?

Barings is a company that values its employees’ growth and development. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have goals for your career, as well as how those goals align with Barings’. Your answer should include two to three professional goals and one personal goal.

Example: “My short-term goal is to become an expert in my field by learning more about financial markets and investing strategies. My long-term goal is to be promoted to senior analyst within five years. I also want to start a family by age 30.”

13. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers want to know what you’re good at so they can use your strengths to their advantage, but they also want to know about any weaknesses so they can help you improve them. When answering this question, be sure to focus on your strengths first.

Example: “My greatest strength is my attention to detail. I am very thorough when working on projects, which helps me make sure that everything is done correctly. My weakness is that sometimes I get too focused on the details and lose sight of the bigger picture. I’m working on improving my ability to prioritize.”

14. What would you say are the most important qualities for someone who wants to succeed as an analyst?

Barings is looking for analysts who have the skills and abilities to succeed in their role. They want to know that you understand what it takes to be successful as an analyst, so they can determine if you possess these qualities. When answering this question, think about which skills or traits helped you get to where you are today.

Example: “I believe the most important quality for someone who wants to succeed as an analyst is curiosity. Analysts need to be curious people who always want to learn more about a situation. I also think it’s important to be able to communicate effectively with others. Being able to clearly explain your thoughts and ideas to others is essential when working on a team. Finally, I think it’s important to be organized and detail-oriented. These two qualities help me stay focused on my work.”

15. What type of work environment are you comfortable in?

Barings is a global company, so you may work in an office with people from different backgrounds and cultures. The interviewer wants to know if you are comfortable working in this type of environment. Your answer should show that you have experience working with diverse groups of people.

Example: “I am used to working in a fast-paced environment where I need to multitask and meet deadlines. In my last position, we had several projects going at once, which required us to work long hours. However, I also value the importance of taking breaks throughout the day to recharge. I find it helpful to take short walks during my lunch break or after dinner to clear my mind.”

16. How do you plan on keeping yourself motivated during slow periods?

Barings is a high-pressure environment, and employees need to be able to stay motivated during slow periods. This question helps the interviewer determine how you’ll keep yourself focused on your work and avoid distractions. Use examples from previous jobs where you’ve had to overcome challenges or obstacles to show that you can handle pressure.

Example: “I find that I’m most productive when I have a set schedule for my day. In my last job, we were understaffed and there was a lot of work to do. To help myself stay motivated, I created a daily routine for myself that included a morning walk and a healthy breakfast before starting work. This helped me feel energized throughout the day and kept me focused on my tasks.”

17. Can you tell me about a time when you had to make a decision without your supervisor’s guidance?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your decision-making skills and how you handle challenging situations. Use examples from your past experience to highlight your critical thinking, problem-solving and leadership abilities.

Example: “In my last role as a financial analyst for a small business, I was tasked with creating a budget for the company’s upcoming fiscal year. My supervisor wasn’t available to answer any questions or provide guidance during this process, so I had to make all of my decisions on my own. I used my previous experience in developing budgets to create one that met the company’s needs while staying within its budget. The budget I created helped the company stay profitable throughout the entire fiscal year.”

18. Do you prefer to work independently or as part of a team?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you might fit into their company culture. If they’re looking for someone who works well on a team, they may want to know that you enjoy collaborating with others and sharing your ideas. If they’re looking for someone who prefers to work alone, they may want to know that you prefer independent tasks.

Example: “I find I am most productive when working independently, but I also like to collaborate with my colleagues. When I’m working on a project, I prefer to have no interruptions so I can focus on finding the best solution. However, I do think it’s important to share my ideas with others so we can discuss them and come up with even better solutions.”

19. What is your experience with data analytics?

Barings is a financial institution that relies on data analytics to make decisions. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with analyzing large amounts of data and interpreting the results. Use examples from previous jobs to explain how you used data analysis tools, interpreted the information and applied it to your work.

Example: “In my last position as an investment analyst, I was responsible for monitoring client accounts and identifying any discrepancies in their portfolios. To do this, I used several different types of data analytics software to analyze account balances, transaction histories and other important metrics. When I found issues, I reported them to my supervisor so they could contact clients and resolve the problems.”

20. How do you feel about working overtime?

Barings is a 24-hour operation, so you may be asked to work overtime. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re okay with working extra hours and that you can handle the job’s demands. In your answer, explain how you feel about working overtime and what your experience has been like in the past.

Example: “I’m happy to work overtime if it means getting my job done. I’ve worked many late nights at previous jobs, but I always made sure to get everything done on time. I know that sometimes there are emergencies or other situations where we have to stay later than expected. I’m committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure our clients’ needs are met.”