20 BMO Financial Group Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a position at BMO Financial Group, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the financial services industry, your knowledge of banking products and services, and your ability to provide excellent customer service. You may also be asked behavioral interview questions that will give the interviewer a sense of how you would handle real-life situations that could come up in the job. Preparing for your interview by knowing what kinds of questions to expect will help you put your best foot forward and make a great impression on the hiring manager.

BMO Financial Group Interview Process

The interview process at BMO Financial Group can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two rounds of interviews, often with a mix of HR representatives and hiring managers. The difficulty of the interviews will also vary depending on the role, but candidates can expect to be asked questions about their experience, goals, and skills. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, although some candidates have found the digital interview format to be dehumanizing.

1. What do you know about BMO Financial Group?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its products. It also shows that you have done some research on the organization before applying for the position. When preparing for this interview, make sure to read up on the company’s mission statement, values and recent news releases.

Example: “I know BMO Financial Group is one of Canada’s largest financial institutions with over 50 years of experience in providing quality services to customers. I am familiar with many of the company’s products including mortgages, credit cards and investment banking solutions.”

2. Give us an example of a time when you had to be very strategic in order to meet all your top priorities.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to prioritize. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you organized your time and resources in order to meet all your goals.

Example: “In my previous role as a financial advisor at XYZ Financial Group, I had to manage many clients with different needs while also meeting the company’s sales quotas. One day, one of my clients called me asking for advice on investing their money. At the same time, another client was calling me about opening up a new investment account. I knew that if I didn’t handle both calls quickly, they would become upset. So, I decided to call back the second client first and tell them I’d get back to them shortly. Then, I spent some extra time talking to my other client about her questions so she felt like I was giving her the attention she needed.”

3. How would you handle a difficult customer?

This question can help the interviewer assess your customer service skills. Use examples from past experiences to highlight how you handled a challenging situation and what steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset about an overdraft fee they received. I listened to their concerns, apologized for any inconvenience and explained that we have policies in place to ensure our customers are aware of fees before incurring them. The customer seemed satisfied with my response and thanked me for my time.”

4. Do you have experience with managing processes and projects?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with managing projects and processes, which is an important skill for this role. Use examples from previous work experiences to show how you’ve managed projects and processes in the past.

Example: “In my last position as a senior project manager, I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of client projects. This included creating timelines, delegating tasks and ensuring that our team met deadlines. In addition, I also had to manage budgets and resources for each project. These skills have helped me become more organized and efficient when working on multiple projects at once.”

5. Describe a time where you were successful at getting a large gift and what your strategy was.

This question is a great way to show your sales skills and how you can help the company grow. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your ability to persuade clients or customers to make large purchases.

Example: “When I was working as an investment advisor at my previous job, I had a client who wanted to invest in real estate but didn’t have much money to do so. Instead of telling them they couldn’t afford it, I suggested that we find other ways for them to save up more money so they could buy a larger property. They agreed and started saving their money by cutting back on some expenses. After six months, they were able to purchase a new home.”

6. Tell me about a time that you showed integrity in the workplace.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the integrity and values they look for in an employee. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you made a decision based on what was best for the company or client rather than yourself.

Example: “When I worked as a financial advisor, I had a client who wanted me to recommend them a certain type of investment because their friend told them it would make them rich. However, after looking at their finances, I realized that particular investment wasn’t right for them. Instead, I recommended another investment that would help them reach their goals while also being safe.”

7. Are you comfortable working on multiple projects/tasks at once?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the ability to multitask and prioritize your work. Showcase your organizational skills, time management abilities and attention to detail in your response.

Example: “I am comfortable working on multiple projects at once because I am highly organized and able to manage my time effectively. In my previous role as a financial advisor, I often had several clients scheduled for appointments during the same time period. I would create an agenda of what tasks needed to be completed before each client arrived so that I could focus on providing them with quality service.”

8. How would you prioritize tasks if asked to work on two different complex topics at the same time?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage your time and workload. Use examples from previous experience to show that you are organized, efficient and able to meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last role as a financial analyst, I was tasked with working on two different projects at once. One project involved creating new marketing strategies for our clients while also analyzing data to find ways we could improve customer satisfaction. In this situation, I would prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. For example, I would focus on analyzing client data first so I could create more effective marketing strategies later.”

9. Would you consider yourself more analytical or creative?

This question is designed to assess your personality and how you approach problem-solving. Your answer should show that you are both analytical and creative, but it’s important to emphasize the analytical side of your personality.

Example: “I would say I’m more analytical than creative. However, this doesn’t mean I don’t have a creative side. In fact, I find that my analytical skills help me be more creative in my solutions. For example, when I was working on a project for one of my previous employers, I noticed that there were several customers who weren’t using their credit cards as much as they used to. This led me to think about why this might be happening. After some research, I found out that many of these customers had recently moved. They didn’t want to use their credit card because they wanted to save up money for a house. By being analytical, I was able to come up with a solution.”

10. How would you deal with a coworker who is not listening to you or taking your advice?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a challenging situation at work. Use your answer to show that you are willing to take advice from others and learn new things.

Example: “I have had this experience before, and I always try to be patient with my coworkers. If they continue to ignore me or refuse to listen to what I am saying, I will ask for a private meeting where we can discuss the issue in more detail. I find that if I explain myself calmly and clearly, most people will understand why I am asking them to do something differently.”

11. Why are you interested in a position as a personal banker?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your career goals and motivations. When preparing for this interview, think about what attracted you to this position in particular. Consider mentioning any personal experiences that led you to pursue a career in banking.

Example: “I’m interested in working as a personal banker because I enjoy helping people manage their finances. In my previous role, I helped customers open new accounts and set up online banking services. It was rewarding to see how excited they were when they learned how easy it is to use BMO’s mobile app. I also love interacting with different people every day, so I find customer service roles like this one very fulfilling.”

12. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question is a great opportunity to show your confidence and enthusiasm for the position. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight some of your most relevant skills or experiences that relate to the job description.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person who has experience with customer service. I have excellent communication skills and enjoy helping others solve problems. In my previous role as a bank teller, I was able to help customers resolve their issues while also providing them with information about our products and services. This helped me learn more about BMO Financial Group’s offerings and how they could benefit my clients.”

13. Have you ever done a project from beginning to end?

This question is a great way to show your ability to take on responsibility and complete tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific project you completed from start to finish. This can help the interviewer understand that you have experience with taking initiative and completing projects.

Example: “In my last position as an assistant manager at a local restaurant, I was tasked with creating a new menu for our restaurant. I started by researching what other restaurants were doing in terms of their menus. Then, I worked with our chef to create a list of potential meals we could offer. After that, I presented the ideas to management and got feedback before finalizing the menu.”

14. How well do you understand banking products?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the banking industry. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific product and how you use it in your daily life or how you would apply it to help BMO Financial Group customers.

Example: “I have experience with many different types of banking products, including savings accounts, checking accounts, credit cards, mortgages and investment accounts. I find that understanding these products helps me better serve my clients when they come into the bank for financial advice.”

15. Tell me about a time you received negative feedback, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you respond to challenges. Use examples from your past where you received negative feedback, but also how you used it to improve yourself or your performance.

Example: “In my first year as a financial advisor, I had a client who was unhappy with their investment portfolio. They were looking for higher returns on their investments, so I recommended they invest in some riskier stocks that could potentially yield higher returns. Unfortunately, those stocks lost money instead of making gains, which made the client upset.

I apologized to them for not recommending safer stocks that would have yielded smaller returns, but still provided growth. I offered to make up for the loss by investing in other stocks at no cost to them. The client agreed, and we both learned something from the experience.”

16. Can you tell me about a time when you used data to make a decision?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your analytical skills and how you use data to make decisions. Use examples from previous work experiences where you used data to support a decision or helped solve a problem.

Example: “At my last job, I was responsible for analyzing customer service calls to determine which products were causing issues. This information allowed me to identify trends in our customers’ needs so that we could develop new products and services to meet their requirements.”

17. What makes you qualified for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how they relate to the job description. Before your interview, read through the job posting thoroughly and highlight any skills or experience you have that match what the employer is looking for.

Example: “I am a highly motivated individual with excellent communication skills who has proven my ability to work well in a team environment. I also have five years of customer service experience, which makes me qualified for this position as it relates to providing quality customer service to BMO Financial Group’s clients.”

18. Tell me about a time you worked on a team.

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential coworkers and how they work together. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you’re willing to collaborate with others, which can be important in this role.

Example: “I’ve worked on teams throughout my career, including at my last job where I was part of the marketing team. We were tasked with creating a new campaign for our company, and we all had different ideas. In the end, we decided to create a survey to ask customers what they wanted from us. The results helped us decide on a new campaign.”

19. How would you describe your communication style?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with others and your ability to collaborate. Describe a time when you had to communicate important information to a group of people or an individual, and explain what steps you took to ensure that the message was understood by everyone.

Example: “I would describe my communication style as direct but empathetic. I believe it’s important to be honest about the situation while also showing empathy for the person receiving the news. In my last role, I had to let one of our employees go due to budget cuts. I made sure to meet with them in private so they could ask any questions they may have had. I also explained why this decision was made and assured them we were doing everything we could to find them another position within the company.”

20. In your opinion, what qualities does someone need to be successful in this role?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few specific qualities and explain why they are important.

Example: “I believe someone needs to be organized, detail-oriented and motivated in order to succeed in this role. I am always on time with my work, I pay attention to details and I’m passionate about helping others achieve their financial goals.”