20 Brown Brothers Harriman Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And if you’re hoping to land a job at Brown Brothers Harriman, you’ll need to know how to answer some specific interview questions.

In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the company and some of the most common interview questions you’re likely to encounter. With a little preparation, you’ll be ready to impress your interviewer and land the job you want.

Brown Brothers Harriman Interview Process

The interview process at Brown Brothers Harriman can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will be conducted remotely via Zoom due to Covid-19 restrictions. The average length of the hiring process is about a week, but it can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For entry level positions, the interview process is typically very quick and easy. For more senior positions, the interview process may be more selective and focus on your technical abilities as well as your cultural fit.

1. What do you know about Brown Brothers Harriman?

This question is a great way to test your research skills and knowledge of the company. It’s important to show that you’ve done some background work on the company, but it’s also good to mention what you like about them.

Example: “I know that Brown Brothers Harriman was founded in 1818 by two brothers who were immigrants from England. I’m impressed with their commitment to diversity as they have been recognized for having one of the most diverse teams in the financial industry. I am excited to be part of such an innovative team.”

2. Tell me about a time when you had to work with people from different cultures.

This question can help interviewers learn more about your ability to work with people from different backgrounds. Use examples of how you were able to overcome challenges and communicate effectively with others.

Example: “In my last role, I worked with a team that was made up of individuals from many different countries. We had weekly meetings where we discussed our progress on projects and any issues we encountered. One week, one of the employees mentioned that they were having trouble communicating with their client because they spoke Spanish. I offered to translate for them during the meeting so everyone could understand what was being said.”

3. Why are you interested in this position?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the role and highlight any relevant skills or experience you have that make you a good fit. When preparing for this interview, think about what attracted you to this position and how it fits with your career goals.

Example: “I am interested in working at Brown Brothers Harriman because I’m passionate about international business and finance. My previous work as a financial analyst has given me valuable insight into the world of investment banking, and I feel ready to take on more responsibility. Your company’s reputation for excellence makes me excited to join the team.”

4. Do you have any experience working in an accounting department?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and experience needed for this role. If you do, share a specific example of how you helped improve processes or implemented new ones. If you don’t have any accounting department experience, you can talk about other relevant work experience in finance.

Example: “I worked as an accountant at my previous company where I was responsible for maintaining accurate records and reporting financial information to senior management. In my current position, I am also responsible for managing budgets and tracking expenses.”

5. How would your previous manager describe you?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your work ethic and how you interact with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific example of something your manager said that made you proud or excited about your performance.

Example: “My previous manager would describe me as someone who is always willing to go above and beyond for my clients. She once told me that I was her most reliable employee because I am always on time and never miss deadlines. She also said she appreciated the way I took initiative in finding solutions to problems without needing constant supervision.”

6. Describe a situation where you found yourself facing too many tasks and how you handled 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 how you organized your day and the steps you took to ensure that you were able to complete all of your work on time.

Example: “In my previous role as an investment banker, I often found myself with too many tasks at once. To help manage these situations, I would create a daily schedule for myself that included specific times when I would tackle each task. This helped me stay focused on one task at a time while also ensuring that I was able to complete everything by the end of the day.”

7. If hired, what skills can you bring to our company?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have researched their company and understand what they do. It’s also a chance for you to highlight any skills or experience that might be relevant to the role.

Example: “I’ve done some research on your company, and I see that you’re looking for someone with strong customer service skills. In my last position, I was responsible for answering all incoming calls and emails from customers. I’m proud to say that I maintained a 97% satisfaction rating among our clients. I think these skills would translate well into this role.”

8. Would you be able to travel abroad for business meetings?

Traveling abroad for business meetings is a common part of working at Brown Brothers Harriman. The interviewer wants to make sure you are prepared to travel and that you have the necessary skills to do so.

Example: “Yes, I am comfortable traveling internationally for business meetings. In my previous position, I traveled to London twice per year for client meetings. I always made sure to arrive early to get settled in before our scheduled meeting time. This helped me feel more confident during the meeting and allowed me to focus on what was being discussed.”

9. What is the most difficult part of working as an operations specialist?

This question can help the interviewer understand what challenges you might face in this role and how you would overcome them. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to adapt to change and willingness to learn new processes or technologies.

Example: “The most difficult part of working as an operations specialist is that there are always changes happening within the company. For example, I once worked with a team where we had to implement a new software program for our daily tasks. This was challenging at first because it required us to learn new ways of doing things, but I am always up for learning new things and adapting to change.”

10. What do you think will be the biggest challenge for you if hired?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you are aware of the challenges ahead and have a plan for overcoming them. You can use this question as an opportunity to highlight any skills or experiences that will help you succeed in your new role.

Example: “I think the biggest challenge I would face if hired at Brown Brothers Harriman is learning how to navigate the company’s complex systems. I am confident that my ability to learn quickly and adapt to change will be helpful in navigating these systems, however, so I’m excited about the opportunity to do so.”

11. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be prepared with an answer that shows your strengths while also being honest about any weaknesses you may have. When answering this question, try to focus on specific examples of each strength and weakness so the interviewer can get a better idea of what they are.

Example: “My greatest strength would be my attention to detail. I’ve always been someone who pays close attention to how things work, which has helped me notice small details when working on projects or tasks. In my last role as a financial analyst, I noticed some discrepancies in our budgeting process and was able to help my team find a solution before we had to report those numbers to senior management.”

12. Have you ever worked on a team project that was unsuccessful? What did you learn from it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you respond to challenges and learn from your mistakes. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you learned something new or improved your skills.

Example: “In my last role as an investment banker, I worked on a team that was tasked with finding the best stocks for our clients. We had weekly meetings to discuss our findings and strategies, but after several weeks of research, we were unable to find any stocks that met all of our client’s criteria. After discussing this issue with my team, we decided to change our strategy and focus on companies that were performing well in their industry rather than looking at individual stocks.”

13. Are you comfortable working independently?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you are self-motivated and can work independently. Use examples from previous experiences where you were able to complete tasks without much supervision or guidance.

Example: “Yes, I am comfortable working independently. In my last role as a financial analyst, I was responsible for completing weekly reports on the company’s finances. These reports included analyzing data and making recommendations based on my findings. While I did receive feedback from my supervisor, most of my time was spent researching and analyzing the information.”

14. How would you go about creating a new process at our company?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time you created a new process at your previous job or how you would go about doing so.

Example: “At my last company, we had a lot of clients who were looking for investment opportunities in the cryptocurrency market. I started researching different cryptocurrencies and found that there was no one place where our customers could find all of their options. So, I decided to create a website that listed all of the cryptocurrencies available for investment. This project took me several months to complete, but now our company has a valuable resource for our clients.”

15. What types of situations require strong attention to detail?

Attention to detail is an important skill for any financial professional. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of attention to detail and how it can help you succeed in their organization. Use your answer to explain that you know what types of situations require strong attention to detail and how you use your skills to pay close attention to details.

Example: “I think there are two main situations where attention to detail is especially important. The first situation is when I’m working with clients. If I miss a small detail, like a decimal point or a dollar sign, it could lead to a lot of problems later on. For example, if I accidentally overcharge someone by $100, they may not notice right away. However, once they do, they might become upset and decide to take their business elsewhere.

The second situation is when I’m entering data into our systems. If I enter incorrect information, it could cause issues down the line. For example, if I accidentally entered a client’s account number instead of their social security number, I would have no way of knowing who the money belongs to. This could result in them losing access to their funds.”

16. Do you have any experience dealing with international clients?

This question can help interviewers determine if you have the experience necessary to succeed in this role. If you don’t, it’s important to explain what international banking experience you do have and how it prepared you for this position.

Example: “I’ve worked with several foreign clients at my current job, but I also had a lot of international business experience before that. In college, I studied abroad in London, which helped me learn more about the European financial markets. After graduation, I got a job as an analyst at a small investment firm where I learned how to work with foreign clients.”

17. If a client asked for something we don’t offer, how would you handle it?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to think creatively. It also shows the interviewer that you’re willing to go above and beyond for clients.

Example: “I would first try to find a solution within our current offerings, but if I couldn’t find one, I’d do my best to refer them to another company or bank that could help them. If they were adamant about wanting us to provide their service, I would research ways we could offer it in the future.”

18. Tell us about a time when you had to deal with a difficult person and how you handled it?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you react to challenging situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation and the steps you took to resolve it or diffuse the conflict.

Example: “In my last role as an investment banker, I had a client who was very demanding. They would often call me at all hours of the day with questions and concerns, which made it difficult for me to meet deadlines. Instead of getting frustrated, I decided to try to find ways to make them feel more comfortable so they wouldn’t need to contact me as much. I started sending weekly updates that included information on their portfolio and answered any questions they had.”

19. Explain how you would perform a fund audit.

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of financial audits and how you would apply it in the workplace. Use examples from past experiences where you performed a fund audit, including what steps you took to ensure accurate records.

Example: “In my last role as an auditor, I was responsible for performing monthly fund audits on behalf of our clients. During each audit, I reviewed client accounts, transaction histories and account balances to make sure they were accurate. If there were any discrepancies, I contacted the client immediately to discuss their concerns and find solutions. This process helped me develop my skills as an auditor and learn more about the importance of maintaining accurate records.”

20. Give us an example of a process or procedure you helped create.

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work as part of a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the process or procedure you helped create and how it benefited the company or organization.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that our customer service representatives were having trouble keeping track of all their tasks during busy periods. They would often forget to follow up with customers on important issues, which led to unhappy clients. So, I created a new system where each representative had to check in with me every hour. This allowed me to keep track of what they were working on and ensure they were following up with customers.”