20 BMO Harris Bank Interview Questions and Answers

BMO Harris Bank is one of the largest banks in the United States, with over 700 branches in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Arizona, and Florida. As a result, the company receives a lot of applications and has to interview a large number of candidates.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common questions that BMO Harris Bank interviewers ask, along with sample answers.

BMO Harris Bank Interview Process

The interview process at BMO Harris Bank can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone interview and one in-person interview. For some positions, like internships, you may only have to do a phone interview. The difficulty of the interviews also varies depending on the position. Some positions, like financial analyst, may require you to answer more difficult questions about your skills and experience. Overall, the interview process is generally smooth and straightforward.

1. What is the most challenging customer service experience you have had and how did it turn out?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you handle challenging situations. When answering, try to focus on the positive outcome of the situation and what you learned from it.

Example: “The most challenging experience I’ve had as a customer service representative was when a client called in with an issue that I couldn’t solve over the phone. The client was upset and wanted me to transfer them to someone who could help them. Instead, I asked if they would be willing to hold while I spoke with my manager. They agreed, so I transferred the call and explained the situation to my manager. Together, we were able to find a solution for the client.”

2. Do you have any experience with a bank teller position?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and how it relates to this position. If you have teller experience, be sure to highlight any skills or knowledge that can help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I worked as a bank teller at my local credit union for two years while I was in college. During that time, I learned valuable customer service skills and developed excellent communication and problem-solving skills. I also gained experience with financial software programs like Quicken and Microsoft Money.”

3. Tell me about your work ethic, what qualities do you believe are important to succeed in this industry?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong work ethic and are willing to put in the effort to succeed. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss your past experiences with hard work and how they’ve helped you achieve success.

Example: “I believe that having a strong work ethic is one of the most important qualities for succeeding in this industry. I am always willing to go above and beyond what’s expected of me at my current job, which has led to many promotions over the last few years. In fact, I was promoted to my current position after only six months on the job because of my willingness to take on more responsibilities.”

4. Why should we hire you over other candidates who may apply for this job?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are qualified for this role and why you would be a good fit. To answer, think about what makes you unique as a candidate and how your skills and experience align with the job description.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which I believe make me a strong candidate for this position. In my last role, I was responsible for managing multiple projects at once while ensuring all deadlines were met. My attention to detail helped ensure our team’s work was accurate and on time.”

5. How would you deal with an upset client that was demanding answers from you before you could get them?

This question is a great way to assess your customer service skills and how you would handle difficult situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of a time when you had to deal with a similar situation.

Example: “I have worked in customer service for over five years now, so I’ve dealt with my fair share of upset customers. In one instance, a client called me because they were having issues with their account. They were very demanding and wanted answers immediately. I calmly explained that I was still working on getting the information they needed but assured them that I would call back as soon as I had it.”

6. If hired, can you be available to work all shifts including Saturdays?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your availability and commitment. Be honest about your schedule, but also highlight any flexibility you may have.

Example: “I am currently available to work all shifts including Saturdays. I understand that working weekends can be required at times, so I would be happy to do so if needed.”

7. Can you describe a time when you worked on a project that required a lot of collaboration with others?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your teamwork skills and how you interact with others. Use examples from your past experience to highlight your communication, collaboration and leadership skills.

Example: “In my last role as a customer service representative, I worked on a project that required me to collaborate with other representatives in different departments. We were tasked with finding ways to improve our call wait times for customers who called into the company. After some research, we found that many of our customers would rather use online chat than speak over the phone. This led us to create an online chat feature where customers could ask questions and receive answers within minutes.”

8. Are you comfortable working at a fast pace?

This question is a good way to assess your ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Employers ask this question because they want to make sure you can keep up with the pace of their company and that you’re not going to be overwhelmed by it. In your answer, try to show that you are comfortable working at a fast pace and that you have the skills necessary to succeed in such an environment.

Example: “Yes, I am very comfortable working at a fast pace. Throughout my career, I’ve worked for several companies where we had tight deadlines and needed to get things done quickly. I’m used to having multiple projects due at once and being able to prioritize them effectively.”

9. What would you do if a customer asked you to break company policy in order to help them?

This question is designed to test your ethics and integrity. It’s important that you demonstrate a commitment to following company policies, even if it means turning down a customer request.

Example: “I would explain the policy to them and apologize for any inconvenience. However, I would also let them know that I am happy to help them find another solution or refer them to someone who can assist them.”

10. What type of environment do you feel most comfortable working in?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your personality and preferences. They want to make sure you’ll be happy working in their company, so they may ask this question to see if you’re similar to the majority of employees. When answering this question, try to think about what type of environment makes you feel most productive or creative.

Example: “I’m someone who really enjoys collaboration, so I would say that an open office space where everyone can easily communicate with one another is my favorite environment. I find that when people are able to talk freely, it leads to better ideas and solutions.”

11. Describe how you would resolve a conflict between two customers that were waiting in line.

This question is designed to assess your conflict resolution skills and ability to handle customer service situations.

Example: “I would first apologize for the inconvenience and ask if they needed any assistance. If both customers said no, I would take their names and tell them that I will be with them as soon as possible. Then, I would find a manager or coworker who could help me serve the customers more quickly. This shows respect for the customers while also ensuring that we can provide quality service to everyone.”

12. Have you ever had to make decisions without consulting a manager first? If so, describe your thought process behind those decisions.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions and whether you have experience making important choices on your own.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for managing a team of five employees. One day, one of our tellers called in sick, which left us short-staffed. I knew that we had enough staff to cover the rest of the day’s transactions, but if someone else were to call in sick later in the day, we would be severely understaffed. So, I decided to hire an additional employee to ensure we could handle any unexpected absences.”

13. When handling cash, what do you think is the best way to ensure accuracy?

This question is a great way to assess your attention to detail and ability to follow procedures. When answering, it can be helpful to mention the steps you take to ensure accuracy when handling cash.

Example: “I think the best way to ensure accuracy when handling cash is to count it twice. I always make sure to count my drawer at the beginning of each shift and then again before I leave for the day. This helps me catch any mistakes that may have occurred during the day.”

14. In which area of banking are you interested in working?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your career goals and how they can help you achieve them. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what interests you in banking and why.

Example: “I’m interested in working in commercial banking because I enjoy helping businesses grow their revenue and profits. In my last role as an account manager at a small business bank, I helped several companies get started with their financial needs. I find that there is something very rewarding about seeing a company succeed.”

15. Do you prefer working independently or as part of a team?

This question is designed to assess your ability to work with others and how you might fit into the existing team at BMO Harris Bank. Your answer should show that you are a team player who can also work independently when necessary.

Example: “I enjoy working both independently and as part of a team, but I prefer working in a collaborative environment where everyone’s ideas are valued. In my last role, I worked on a project with two other employees, and we were able to come up with some great solutions because we each brought different perspectives to the table.”

16. We need our team members to take initiative and be self-motivated. Is this something you would struggle with?

This question is a great way to determine how well you will fit into the company culture. It’s important that you show your interviewer that you are willing to take initiative and be self-motivated, even if it means going above and beyond what is expected of you.

Example: “I am an extremely motivated individual who thrives on challenges. I would never want to be in a position where I was not able to do my job because I didn’t know what to do or how to do it. I have always been someone who has taken initiative and sought out new opportunities.”

17. What is your favorite thing about providing customer service?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you enjoy helping customers and providing excellent service. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific customer experience or situation where you helped a customer in a way that made them happy.

Example: “My favorite part of working as a teller was when I had a customer who came into the branch with questions about their account. They were having trouble understanding how to use some of the features on their online banking platform. After explaining everything they needed to know, we set up a time for them to come back so they could practice using the new system.”

18. Have you ever been reprimanded for not following proper procedures?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your character and how you respond to challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include what steps you took to improve yourself or the situation.

Example: “In my last role as a teller, I was reprimanded by my supervisor for not following proper procedures when counting money at the end of each day. I understood that I made an honest mistake but also knew that I needed to take steps to ensure that I didn’t make the same mistake again. So, I asked my supervisor if they would allow me to count all of the money in front of them once per week so that I could practice properly.”

19. General Motors is a company that emphasizes innovation. What do you think is the most important thing to remember when trying to be innovative?

General Motors is a company that has been known for its innovation, and the interviewer may want to know how you would approach this task. Your answer should show your understanding of what it takes to be innovative and highlight any experience you have with being innovative in the past.

Example: “Innovation is something I think about often because I believe it’s important to always try new things. The most important thing to remember when trying to innovate is to not get too caught up in one idea. It’s good to explore different options before making a decision.”

20. What is your experience with designing and testing mechanical components?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work in a team. You can use examples from previous projects where you had to design mechanical components or test them for defects.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for testing the mechanical components of an automated teller machine that would be used by customers with disabilities. The project required me to work with other engineers who were responsible for designing the ATM’s software and hardware. We worked together to ensure all aspects of the ATM functioned properly before it went into production.”