20 Brown Advisory Interview Questions and Answers

Brown Advisory is an independent investment management firm that provides a wide range of services to individuals, families, endowments, and foundations.

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

Brown Advisory Interview Process

The interview process at Brown Advisory is generally two to three rounds, all of which are behavioral. The first round is usually a phone call with an employee within the company, followed by a meeting with team leads. The questions asked tend to be focused on past experiences and motivation for the role. Brown Advisory is known to be very competitive, so preparing thoughtful questions is key. The final offer is typically finalized in early to mid November.

1. Why Brown Advisory?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and its values. It also gives you an opportunity to talk about what attracted you to this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention something specific that drew you to the job posting or how you feel you would fit into the team.

Example: “I was drawn to Brown Advisory because of the culture here. I’ve read through the employee handbook and am impressed by the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. I think my background as a minority woman with experience working for a large corporation could help me contribute to these efforts. I’m excited to join a company where I can make a difference.”

2. What are your career goals and how can we help you achieve them?

Brown Advisory wants to know that you have a strong desire for success and are willing to work hard to achieve it. Your answer should show the interviewer that you’re ambitious, but also realistic about your goals.

Example: “I want to be an investment advisor by the time I’m 30. To do this, I plan to continue my education with a master’s degree in finance. I’ve already started taking classes toward this goal, and I hope to finish my bachelor’s degree within two years. After that, I’ll enroll in a master’s program at Brown University.”

3. If a client asked for advice on an investment that you did not know anything about, what would you do?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to learn quickly. You can answer this question by describing a time when you researched information on a topic or learned about something new in order to provide advice to a client.

Example: “When I was working as a financial advisor, one of my clients asked me for advice on investing in a company that made electric cars. At the time, I had no experience with this type of investment, so I told him that I would research the company and its products before giving him any advice. After researching the company, I found out that it was a good investment because the company’s revenue was growing every year. My client decided to invest in the company after hearing my recommendation.”

4. How would you explain the concept of portfolio management to someone who had no prior knowledge in finance?

This question is a great way to test your ability to communicate complex ideas in simple terms. It also shows the interviewer that you can break down complicated concepts into more digestible pieces for others.

Example: “Portfolio management is essentially managing investments and assets so they work together to achieve a specific goal, such as generating income or growing wealth. The process involves analyzing risk versus reward, diversifying investments across different asset classes and selecting appropriate investment vehicles based on an investor’s goals and risk tolerance.”

5. What is one thing you would change about our company if you could?

This question is a way for the interviewer to see how you would fit into their company culture. It’s important to be honest, but also considerate of your future colleagues. You can answer this question by focusing on one thing and explaining why it would make your job easier or more enjoyable.

Example: “I think I would change the dress code policy. I understand that the current policy is in place to promote professionalism, however, I feel like there should be some flexibility within the guidelines. For example, if someone was going to an event after work, they should have the option to wear something other than business attire. This would allow employees to express themselves while still maintaining professional standards.”

6. Describe a time when you were unsure of yourself but still managed to perform well.

This question is a great way to test your self-confidence and ability to overcome challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you were unsure of yourself but still managed to perform well. This shows the interviewer that you are aware of your weaknesses and how you work to improve them.

Example: “I was once asked to give a presentation in front of my entire class on a topic I knew very little about. At first, I felt overwhelmed by the task, however, I decided to do some research on the topic before giving the presentation. While I didn’t know everything there was to know about the subject, I did learn enough to present confidently.”

7. Tell me about a time where you worked with a difficult coworker or manager.

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and challenges at work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you were able to resolve the issue or challenge with your coworker or manager.

Example: “In my last role, I worked with a coworker who was very quiet and didn’t speak up much in meetings. This made it difficult for me to get their opinion on projects we were working on together. One day, I asked them if they would like to go out for lunch so we could talk more about our projects. They agreed, and we had a great conversation that helped us both better understand each other’s ideas and opinions.”

8. Can you tell us why you want to work at Brown Advisory?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s interest in working for your company. It also allows you to see if they have done any research on the firm and its values. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific that attracted you to the role or company.

Example: “I want to work at Brown Advisory because of the company’s commitment to client service. I read an article where one of the partners said their number one priority was making sure clients were happy with their services. That really resonated with me as someone who wants to help people. I think I would fit well into the culture here.”

9. What do you think makes Brown Advisory unique compared to other financial firms?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the company and how you can contribute to its success. You should research the firm before your interview, so you can discuss what makes it unique and why that’s important.

Example: “I think one thing that makes Brown Advisory unique is its focus on client service. I’ve read about some financial firms that have a reputation for being impersonal or even cold with their clients. However, I know from my research that Brown Advisory has a stellar reputation for providing excellent customer service. This is something I’m passionate about, as I believe every client deserves personalized attention and care.”

10. What is your experience working with clients?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with client service and how you interact with people. Use examples from previous work experiences to explain what you did, the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Example: “In my last role as a financial advisor, I worked with clients of all ages and backgrounds. One of my favorite parts of this job was helping families plan for their children’s futures. In one instance, I helped a family create an investment portfolio that would allow their son to attend college without taking out loans. The parents were so grateful for my advice and support.”

11. Why should we hire you over another candidate who has more experience than you?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your unique skills and how they can benefit their company. Use this opportunity to highlight any special talents or skills you have that make you an ideal candidate for the position.

Example: “I believe my ability to work well under pressure makes me a better fit for this role than other candidates with more experience. I’ve always been able to manage multiple projects at once, which has helped me complete tasks on time even when faced with tight deadlines. My attention to detail also helps me ensure all of my work is accurate and meets the high standards set by Brown Advisory.”

12. What is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Your interviewer will likely want to know that you are aware of your weaknesses and have strategies for improving them. When answering this question, be sure to focus on strengths rather than listing several weaknesses.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well with others. I am always looking for ways to help others succeed, and I enjoy collaborating with others to find solutions to problems. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on helping others that I forget to take care of myself. I’ve learned to set aside time each day to do something for myself, like reading or exercising, to ensure I’m taking care of myself as well.”

13. Do you have any experience using Bloomberg Terminal?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using a specific software program. If they do, it’s important to let them know that you’re comfortable with the system and can use it effectively.

Example: “I’ve used Bloomberg Terminal in my previous role as an investment banker at Smith & Jones Financial Group. I was responsible for monitoring financial news and market trends to help clients make informed decisions about their investments. I also used Bloomberg Terminal to monitor company stock prices and perform research on companies’ competitors.”

14. How do you stay up to date with the latest trends in the market?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have a passion for your work and how much effort you put into staying informed about the latest developments in your industry. Your answer should show that you are passionate about your career, eager to learn new things and willing to take on additional responsibilities.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my knowledge of the market. I subscribe to several newsletters and blogs from leading financial publications and attend conferences and seminars hosted by experts in the field. I also use social media to follow leaders in the finance industry and read their articles and posts to stay up-to-date with the latest trends.”

15. What do you enjoy most about being an analyst?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the role. It’s also a chance to share what you enjoy about working in finance and how it helps others.

Example: “I love being able to help people make better financial decisions. I find that many people don’t know where to start when they’re trying to manage their money, so I like to be there to offer advice and guidance. I’m passionate about helping people achieve their goals and feel confident with their finances.”

16. What types of investments interest you most?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience with their company’s investment offerings. Use your answer to highlight any of the firm’s services that you’re familiar with and explain why they interest you.

Example: “I’m most interested in long-term investments, such as stocks and bonds, because I enjoy seeing my money grow over time. I also like alternative investments, such as real estate and commodities, because they offer a unique opportunity for growth. In my last role, I helped clients diversify their portfolios by including these types of investments.”

17. Give an example of a time when you had to make a decision quickly without having all the information available.

This question can help interviewers understand how you make decisions and whether or not you have the ability to think critically. In your answer, try to explain what information you used to make the decision and why it was important to use that information.

Example: “In my last role as a financial advisor, I had a client who wanted to invest in some stocks but didn’t know which ones were good for their portfolio. I told them about some of the factors they should consider when choosing stocks, such as company size and industry, and then helped them choose five companies to invest in. The next day, one of those companies announced layoffs, so I called my client right away to let them know. They decided to sell all of their shares before the stock price dropped.”

18. What type of experience do you have analyzing data?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with financial data and how you use it to make recommendations. Use examples from past experiences where you analyzed data, organized information and used that information to create strategies for clients or companies.

Example: “In my last role as a financial advisor at Smith & Associates Financial Group, I helped clients understand their current financial situation by analyzing their spending habits and recommending ways they could save money. For example, one client was spending $200 per month on coffee every week. By analyzing her budget, I found she had enough money in her account to spend more on her coffee each day without going over her monthly budget. She decided to buy a Keurig machine so she could brew coffee at home instead of buying it out.”

19. What is your biggest accomplishment as an analyst?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you are a self-motivated and goal-oriented individual. It also gives them insight into the type of work you enjoy doing most. When answering this question, it can be helpful to choose an accomplishment that relates to the job description or highlights one of your skills.

Example: “My biggest accomplishment as an analyst was when I helped my team find a way to save our client $100 million in costs over five years. We were working on a project for a large company who wanted to reduce their overhead expenses by 20% while maintaining their current revenue levels. After analyzing all of the data we had collected, I realized that they could actually increase their revenue by 5% if they reduced their operating costs by 25%. The client loved the idea and implemented it immediately.”

20. What is your favorite part about working in operations?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the role. It also gives you a chance to talk about what you enjoy most about working in operations and how it relates to this specific position. When answering, think of something that really excites you about working in operations and relate it to the job description.

Example: “My favorite part about working in operations is getting to see the impact I have on the company’s bottom line. In my last position, I was responsible for monitoring the budget and making sure we stayed within our allotted spending limits. This meant I had to closely monitor all expenses and make adjustments as needed. I enjoyed being able to help the company save money while still providing excellent customer service.”