20 Cantor Fitzgerald Interview Questions and Answers

Cantor Fitzgerald is a leading global financial services firm that provides a wide range of investment banking, capital markets, and asset management services to clients around the world.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Cantor Fitzgerald, 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 Cantor Fitzgerald interview questions and answers.

Cantor Fitzgerald Interview Process

The interview process at Cantor Fitzgerald is pretty standard for investment banking. There will be a first round with HR, followed by an analyst interview, an associate interview, and finally a VP interview. The whole process shouldn’t take more than a month.

As far as difficulty goes, the interviews are mostly behavioral with some technical questions mixed in. They’re not looking to trip you up, but rather gauge your understanding of the industry and your ability to think on your feet. Overall, it’s a pretty positive experience.

1. What do you know about Cantor Fitzgerald?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your knowledge of their company. Use this opportunity to show that you have done some research on the company and are familiar with its history, values and goals.

Example: “Cantor Fitzgerald has been in business since 1945, when it was founded by Howard L. Fitzgerald. The company’s headquarters are located in Manhattan, New York City, where they trade stocks and bonds. Cantor Fitzgerald is one of the largest bond trading firms in the world, which makes them an important part of the financial industry. They also offer investment banking services, such as merger and acquisition advice.”

2. Describe your experience with financial modeling.

This question is an opportunity to show your expertise in a specific skill. If you have experience with financial modeling, describe the type of models you’ve created and how they helped your organization. If you don’t have direct experience, you can talk about what you know about financial modeling and why it’s important.

Example: “I’ve worked on several different types of financial models during my career. I’ve used them to analyze customer behavior, predict future revenue streams and create forecasts for company performance. In my last role as a senior analyst, I led a team that analyzed data from our clients’ websites to help us understand their target markets. We then used this information to develop marketing strategies for each client.”

3. How would you go about pitching a new product to a client?

This question can help the interviewer understand your sales and marketing skills. Use examples from previous jobs to show how you would approach this task.

Example: “I would first do my research on the client’s company, including its goals and objectives. Then I would present a plan for how we could work together to achieve those goals using our product or service. I would also make sure that the pitch was tailored to the client’s needs so they understood how our product could benefit them specifically. Finally, I would ask questions throughout the presentation to ensure the client understands what I’m saying.”

4. Tell me about a time when you had to make an important decision without consulting anyone else.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you make decisions and whether you are able to think independently. Use examples from your past experience that show you have good judgment and can make independent decisions.

Example: “In my last position, I was working with a team of five people on a project for one of our clients. We were all in different locations, so we had daily conference calls where we discussed what we accomplished each day and any issues or questions we had. One day, two members of the team asked if they could take an extra week to complete their part of the project because they wanted to do it right. The other three team members and I agreed to give them more time. However, after another week passed, those two team members still hadn’t completed their work.

I decided to call both of them into separate meetings to discuss why they weren’t completing their work. They both apologized and said they would finish their parts of the project by the end of the week. After that, they finished their work early every week.”

5. Why do you want to work at Cantor Fitzgerald?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and its values. It also allows you to talk about what attracted you to this role, which can be helpful for the interviewer if they are looking for specific qualities or skills. When preparing for this question, think about why you want to work at Cantor Fitzgerald specifically. Consider researching the company beforehand so that you can mention any recent news or developments that may have caught your attention.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in working in finance, but I was especially drawn to Cantor Fitzgerald because of their commitment to supporting veterans. My father served in the military, and he has told me many stories about how hard it was to find employment after his service ended. He’s very proud of my decision to pursue a career in finance, and I’m excited to use my skills to help other veterans like him.”

6. Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment?

Working in a financial institution can be hectic at times. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working in an environment where there is often a lot of activity and stress. In your answer, explain that you thrive in fast-paced environments. Explain how you are able to stay organized and focused when things get busy.

Example: “I am definitely comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. I actually enjoy it because it helps me feel productive. When the workday gets busy, I know I have to focus on my tasks and prioritize them. I find that I’m more efficient when I’m working quickly. I also like being around other people who are working hard. It’s motivating to see others putting in as much effort as I am.”

7. Give us an example of something that you have done in the past year that has improved your skillset.

Interviewers ask this question to see if you are a self-motivated person who is willing to take on challenges and learn new things. They want to know that you have the ability to improve your skills, so they can be sure that you will continue to grow in their company.

Example: “I recently took an online course about coding languages. I wanted to expand my knowledge of computer science because it’s something I’ve always been interested in but never had the time to study. The class was challenging, but I learned a lot from it. Now, I feel more confident when working with computers and am able to write code for simple programs.”

8. How would you describe yourself as a leader?

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership style and how you would fit into their organization. Use examples from past experiences to describe what makes you a good leader, including qualities like communication skills, problem-solving abilities and decision-making capabilities.

Example: “I believe that leaders should be approachable and available for questions or concerns. I also think it’s important to have strong communication skills so everyone understands expectations and goals. In my last role as an account manager, I was responsible for managing a team of five employees. I held weekly meetings with my team members to discuss our progress on client accounts and any challenges we were facing. This helped me learn more about each employee’s strengths and weaknesses and allowed us to work together to overcome obstacles.”

9. What is your favorite part about being on a team?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how you interact with others. Teamwork is an important part of working at Cantor Fitzgerald, so they want to make sure that you enjoy collaborating with others. Your answer should show your willingness to work well with others and include a specific example of when you did this in the past.

Example: “My favorite part about being on a team is getting to meet new people and learn from them. At my last job, I was on a project team where we were tasked with creating a marketing campaign for a client. One member of our team had experience with social media marketing, which helped us create a more effective plan than we would have otherwise.”

10. What are some things you like and dislike about working in finance?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and how they feel about their current job. It can also help you determine if they would be happy working at Cantor Fitzgerald. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention two or three things that you like and dislike about your current position.

Example: “I really enjoy being able to work with numbers and helping clients find solutions to their financial problems. However, I do not enjoy having to work long hours sometimes. I am looking for a company where I can have a better work-life balance.”

11. Do you think it’s more important for people to be technically smart or good communicators?

This question is a great way to determine how you think about the workplace. It’s important to show that you value both technical and communication skills, but it’s also okay if you lean more toward one or the other.

Example: “I believe it’s equally as important for people to be good communicators and technically smart. I’ve worked with many people who are very intelligent but not so much at communicating their ideas. This can lead to misunderstandings and confusion among coworkers. However, I’ve also worked with people who are excellent communicators but don’t have the same level of intelligence. These people often struggle when they’re asked to solve complex problems.”

12. Provide an example of a time where you were able to successfully persuade someone to buy into your idea.

This question can help the interviewer determine your communication skills and how you persuade others to see things from your perspective. Use examples of past experiences where you were able to convince someone to agree with your point of view or change their mind about something.

Example: “In my last role, I was working on a project that required me to work with several other departments. One day, one of the marketing managers came to me asking if we could add more social media platforms to our campaign. At first, I told her no because it wasn’t in the budget. However, she continued to ask me until I finally agreed to look into it. After speaking with my supervisor, I found out that we could afford to include two additional platforms. The marketing manager was very happy when I told her.”

13. If you were given a large amount of data, how would you organize it?

This question is a great way to test your organizational skills and ability to prioritize. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you would take to organize data and how you would decide which information was most important.

Example: “If I were given a large amount of data, my first step would be to sort through it all and determine what information is relevant and worth keeping. Then, I would create folders for each type of data and place them in an easily accessible location. Finally, I would make sure that any important or frequently used files are stored on my computer so they’re easy to access.”

14. What is your experience with Excel?

This question is a great way to see how comfortable you are with Excel, which is an important program for the finance industry. Use your answer to highlight your experience and knowledge of Excel by describing what you’ve done with it in previous roles.

Example: “I have been using Excel since my first job as a financial analyst at a small company. I was responsible for creating reports that were easy to read and understand, so I learned how to use formulas and functions to make sure everything was accurate. In my current role, I am still using Excel daily to create spreadsheets and graphs for clients.”

15. Have you ever worked in a very competitive environment before?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle competition and whether you have experience working in a high-pressure environment. When answering, it can be beneficial to describe a time when you were able to thrive in a competitive work environment.

Example: “In my current role as an accountant, I am often competing with other accountants for clients. This has helped me develop my skills as an accountant and learn new ways to provide more value to my clients. In addition, this competitive environment has also helped me become more confident in my abilities as an accountant.”

16. How would you manage a difficult client?

This question can help the interviewer assess your problem-solving and interpersonal skills. Use examples from past experiences to highlight how you handled a challenging client, but also how you helped them achieve their goals.

Example: “In my current role as an investment advisor, I have one client who is very demanding. He often calls me several times a day with questions about his portfolio, which makes it difficult for me to focus on other clients. However, I understand that he’s just looking out for his best interest, so I always answer his questions thoroughly and politely. I’ve found that by being patient and empathetic, he has become more understanding of my situation.”

17. How do you handle stress?

Working in finance can be stressful, and employers ask this question to make sure you have the right personality for their company. They want employees who are able to handle stress well and keep calm under pressure. When answering this question, try to show that you’re a positive person who is good at problem-solving.

Example: “I think it’s important to find ways to relieve stress. I usually take a short break when I feel overwhelmed or stressed out. I also like to exercise because it helps me clear my mind and relax. I’m a big believer in meditation, so I use guided meditations on YouTube to help me stay focused during work.”

18. Would you consider yourself a detail oriented person?

This question is a great way to determine whether you are the right fit for this role. Employers ask this question because they want to know if you can handle all of the responsibilities that come with being a financial analyst. In your answer, try to show how much attention to detail you have and why it’s important to you.

Example: “Yes, I would definitely consider myself a detail-oriented person. Throughout my career, I’ve always been someone who wants to make sure everything is done correctly. It’s one of the reasons I chose to pursue a career in finance. I enjoy making sure every number is correct and every calculation is accurate. I think it’s an important part of my job.”

19. What do you look for when hiring someone?

Hiring managers ask this question to learn more about your hiring process. They want to know if you have a specific method for finding the right candidate. In your answer, explain what qualities you look for in an employee and how those traits help them succeed at their job.

Example: “I always look for someone who is eager to learn new things. I find that people with a positive attitude are also great employees because they’re willing to put in extra effort when needed. When interviewing, I try to get to know each person’s personality so I can see if they would be a good fit for our company culture. I also make sure they have the necessary skills for the position.”

20. What is one thing that you wish you could change about our industry?

This question is a great way to see how you can make improvements in your work environment. It also shows the interviewer that you are aware of some of the challenges within the industry and have ideas for improvement. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what you would change while still showing respect for the company and its employees.

Example: “I wish I could change the fact that our industry has such long hours. While I understand that sometimes we need to put in extra time to meet deadlines or complete projects, I think there should be more opportunities for remote working. This would allow us to spend more time with our families without sacrificing our jobs.”