20 Bessemer Trust Company Interview Questions and Answers

Bessemer Trust is a wealth management firm that provides investment, fiduciary, and administrative services to individuals, families, and institutions. The company was founded in 1907 and has since grown to manage over $100 billion in assets.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Bessemer Trust, 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 Bessemer Trust interview questions and answers.

Bessemer Trust Company Interview Process

The interview process at Bessemer Trust Company can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will be behavioral in nature and focus on your fit with the company culture. There may also be some technical questions asked, depending on the role you are interviewing for. The process usually takes a few weeks and may involve multiple rounds of interviews.

1. What is your experience with investing?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with investments and how you might fit into their company. If you have no previous experience, consider describing a time when you learned about investing or researched an investment opportunity.

Example: “I’ve been investing for several years now, starting with my own retirement account. I also manage my brother’s portfolio, which he started after seeing my success. He has seen great returns on his investments, and we regularly discuss new opportunities to diversify his portfolio. In addition, I am currently enrolled in a financial planning program that helps me learn more about different types of investments.”

2. Why do you want to work at Bessemer Trust Company?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. Use your answer to highlight some of the aspects that attracted you to this role, such as the job description or the company’s values.

Example: “I want to work at Bessemer Trust Company because I am passionate about helping clients achieve financial security. Your mission statement is very inspiring, and I would love to be part of a team that works together to make it a reality. I also think my skills and experience align well with what you’re looking for in an employee.”

3. What are some of the challenges in working with high net worth clients?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenges in your work. High net worth clients often have unique needs and expectations, so it’s important to show that you’re willing to take on these challenges. In your answer, try to highlight a specific challenge you’ve faced with high net worth clients and how you overcame it.

Example: “One of the biggest challenges I’ve encountered working with high net worth clients is helping them manage their wealth. Many of my clients are young entrepreneurs who don’t know where to start when it comes to investing or managing their money. To overcome this challenge, I make sure to thoroughly explain all investment options and provide resources for additional information.”

4. Describe a time where you had to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to assess your time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to manage multiple projects and how they helped you meet deadlines.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for managing several different clients’ portfolios while also meeting monthly reporting deadlines. To help me manage all of these responsibilities, I created a spreadsheet that tracked each client’s portfolio performance, including their current holdings and any recent transactions. This allowed me to quickly reference information about each account when creating reports. It also helped me stay organized by grouping similar accounts together.”

5. How would you approach an upset client that was unhappy with their returns?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenging situations. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “I would first try to listen to the client’s concerns without interrupting them. I would then ask questions to better understand their situation, which may include asking for more details about their investment portfolio. After gathering all of this information, I would review my notes and compare them with Bessemer Trust Company’s policies to ensure that I am following company procedures. If there is a discrepancy between our policies and the client’s expectations, I would explain why we cannot make an exception.”

6. Do you think investing should be done passively or actively?

This question is a great way to assess your investment philosophy. It’s important for the interviewer to know that you understand both passive and active investing, as well as when each strategy is appropriate.

Example: “I think it depends on the investor. Passive investors are looking for long-term growth with low risk, while active investors want to make more money by taking risks. I personally believe in being an active investor because I enjoy researching companies and finding undervalued stocks. However, I also recognize that there are times when passive investing is the best option.”

7. Tell me about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with others and resolve conflict. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills.

Example: “In my last role as a financial advisor, I was working on a project with another advisor who had different ideas about how we should approach our client’s needs. We were both passionate about what we believed in, but we needed to find a way to compromise so that we could provide the best service for our clients. After discussing our differences, we found a middle ground where we could meet our client’s needs while also implementing some of our own strategies.”

8. If hired as an administrative assistant, what skills from your previous job(s) will help you succeed here?

Administrative assistants at Bessemer Trust Company need to have a wide range of skills and experience. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re qualified for the job and that you understand what they’re looking for in an administrative assistant. Before your interview, read through the job description to identify which skills are most important. Make sure you can explain how your previous experiences match up with these requirements.

Example: “I’ve worked as an administrative assistant for five years now, so I’m familiar with all aspects of the role. However, my current employer is much smaller than Bessemer Trust Company, so I’m excited to learn new processes and procedures here. In my last position, I learned how to use project management software to keep track of deadlines and delegate tasks among team members. I think those skills will help me succeed in this role.”

9. Are you comfortable handling personal information for clients?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your level of comfort with handling confidential information. This can be an important part of the job, so it’s important that you are comfortable with this aspect of the role.

Example: “Yes, I am very comfortable with handling personal information for clients. In my previous position as a financial advisor, I was responsible for helping clients manage their finances and make decisions about investments. I had access to all of their personal information, including tax returns, bank statements and investment portfolios. I became accustomed to working with sensitive information and developed processes for keeping track of client information.”

10. Do you have any experience managing a team?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have leadership skills and how you might fit into their company culture. Use examples from your experience to highlight your management style, communication skills and ability to work with a team.

Example: “In my previous role as an investment advisor at First National Bank, I led a small team of three other advisors. We met weekly to discuss our clients’ accounts and any challenges we were facing. This helped us collaborate on client meetings and develop strategies for overcoming obstacles. It also allowed us to support each other when one of us was experiencing a challenge.”

11. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

Employers ask this question to see if you have a long-term career plan. They want to know that you are committed to their company and will be there for the long term. When answering, make sure to show that you are ambitious but also realistic about your goals.

Example: “I would love to stay at Bessemer Trust Company for many years. I am very happy here and feel like I am growing as an employee every day. In 5 years, I hope to have been promoted to senior accountant. I would also like to have completed my CPA certification by then. In 10 years, I hope to be working in a management position.”

12. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific situation where you went above and beyond for a customer and how it helped them or made their experience more positive.

Example: “When I was working at my previous job, one of our clients had an issue with his account. He called in multiple times asking about when he would receive his funds. Each time I spoke with him, I explained what was going on with his account and assured him we were doing everything we could to get his money to him as soon as possible. After speaking with him multiple times, I realized there was nothing else I could do to help him. So, I offered to send him $100 to make up for any inconvenience.”

13. What are your thoughts on the current state of the financial industry?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your opinion on the financial industry and how it’s changed over time. This can be an opportunity for you to show that you’re aware of current trends in the industry and have a thoughtful perspective on them.

Example: “I think the financial industry has made great strides in recent years, especially with regards to technology. I’m excited about the future of finance because I believe we’ll continue to see more automation and digitization as well as increased transparency. These are all things that will benefit both customers and businesses.”

14. How well do you work under pressure?

This question is a great way to assess your ability to work under pressure and how you react to it. When answering this question, be honest about your experience with working under pressure and the strategies you use to manage it.

Example: “I have worked in my current role for five years now, and I’ve definitely experienced some high-pressure situations. However, I think that’s part of being an investment banker. In these situations, I try to remain calm and focused on finding solutions. For example, when clients are experiencing financial hardship, I make sure to listen to their concerns and offer advice or resources they can use.”

15. Would you say you’re more of a leader or follower?

This question is a great way to determine how you would fit into the Bessemer Trust Company culture. The company wants employees who are willing to take on leadership roles when necessary, but also be able to follow the lead of others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time you were in either role.

Example: “I think I’m more of a leader than follower. While I am always happy to support my team members and help them succeed, I feel that I have a lot to offer as a leader. In my last position, I was tasked with leading a project where we needed to come up with new ways to increase revenue. I took charge of the situation and helped my team develop several ideas for increasing revenue. We ended up choosing one idea that led to a 20% increase in revenue.”

16. How much do you know about our company?

This question is a great way to test your research skills and show the interviewer that you are prepared for this interview. Before your interview, read up on Bessemer Trust Company’s website or any other sources of information about the company. You can also ask someone who works there what they like most about their job.

Example: “I have done extensive research on Bessemer Trust Company and I am impressed with its history as well as its reputation in the financial industry. I know that it was founded by two brothers back in 1856 and has been providing quality services ever since. I also learned that Bessemer Trust Company offers many different investment options for clients, including mutual funds, stocks and bonds.”

17. Have you ever been involved in a situation where you had to deal with an angry customer, how did you handle it?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and how you can use them in a professional setting. When answering this question, it’s important to remember that the interviewer wants to know that you’re able to handle conflict professionally.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t receive their statement on time. I listened to what they were saying and asked questions to understand why they were so frustrated. After learning more about the situation, I apologized for the inconvenience and explained that we would be sending out a new statement as soon as possible. The customer seemed satisfied with my response and thanked me for being so understanding.”

18. We are looking for someone who can take initiative. Can you give us an example of a time when you took initiative?

This question is a great way to show your ability to take initiative and make decisions. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you made an important decision or helped solve a problem that benefited the company.

Example: “When I was working as a financial advisor at my previous job, one of my clients called me in a panic because they had lost their debit card. They were worried about how they would pay for groceries and other expenses until they received their next paycheck. I asked them if they could remember what the PIN number was for their account, and they said yes. I then told them that I would call the bank and have the funds transferred into their savings account so they could access the money while waiting for their new card to arrive.”

19. Our company values diversity and inclusion. What does this mean to you?

This question is a great way to determine how much you know about the company’s values and what they look for in their employees. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific examples of how you’ve practiced diversity and inclusion in your own life or career.

Example: “I think Bessemer Trust Company has an amazing reputation for valuing diversity and inclusion. I believe that everyone should feel welcome at work regardless of their background. In my last job, I had a coworker who was going through some personal issues. Instead of avoiding her, I made sure to check in on her every day and offer support when she needed it. She ended up confiding in me, which helped her get the help she needed.”

20. Give an example of a time when you had to solve a problem that was not straightforward. How did you approach the problem?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach challenges and solve problems. Use examples from your previous work experience to highlight your problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities and creativity.

Example: “In my last role as a financial advisor, I had a client who was looking for ways to invest their money in order to make it grow. They were interested in investing in stocks but didn’t know where to start. I explained that there are many different types of stocks and that they should consider what type of investor they are before deciding which stocks to buy. After discussing this with them, we decided on mutual funds because they wanted to diversify their portfolio.”