20 CIT Interview Questions and Answers

CIT is a leading provider of financing and advisory services to small businesses and middle-market companies. CIT’s products and services include loans, leases, and lines of credit; equipment and vehicle financing; factoring; and SBA financing.

If you’re hoping to land a job at CIT, you can expect the interview process to be competitive. To give yourself the best chance of success, you’ll need to be prepared to answer a variety of questions about your experience, qualifications, and goals.

In this guide, we’ve provided a list of sample CIT interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

CIT Interview Process

The interview process at CIT can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will consist of multiple rounds, either in person or over the phone. For some positions, like the Finance Development Program, you may be interviewed on campus first, and then invited to CIT for a second round. The difficulty of the questions asked also varies depending on the position, but most interviewers will ask about your experiences and how they relate to the job you are applying for. Overall, the interview process is generally quick and efficient, although there have been some complaints about the lack of communication from HR after the initial interview.

1. What is your experience with financial markets and products?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with financial markets and products. This can help them determine if you have the necessary skills to complete tasks related to these areas. If you have experience working in a financial institution, describe what your job duties were. If you do not have direct experience, explain any indirect experience you have with financial markets or products.

Example: “I worked as an IT specialist for a large investment firm for three years. My primary responsibility was maintaining the company’s servers and ensuring they had enough bandwidth to support their online trading platform. I also helped train new employees on how to use the company’s software and systems.”

2. Can you tell us about a time when you had to work on a project that was outside of your comfort zone, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle challenges and adapt to new situations. Use your answer to highlight your ability to learn quickly, take initiative and work with others.

Example: “When I first started working as a CNA, I was assigned to a patient who had dementia. At first, it was difficult for me to understand what they were saying because their speech was so slurred. However, after talking with my supervisor, I learned that there are many ways to communicate with patients who have dementia. I practiced different techniques until I found one that worked best for this particular patient.”

3. How would you explain the difference between an asset backed security and a mortgage backed security?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of financial terms and concepts. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example of each type of security and how they differ from one another.

Example: “An asset backed security is essentially a loan that’s secured by the value of an asset. For instance, if I were to borrow money from you, but instead of paying you back with cash, I paid you back with shares in my company, that would be considered an asset backed security. A mortgage backed security is similar to an asset backed security, however, instead of being secured by the value of an asset, it’s secured by the value of a home.”

4. Do you have any investment banking experience?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have any experience working in a similar role. If you do, they may want to know how your previous job prepared you for the current one. Use your answer to highlight what you learned from your past position and how it can help you succeed in this one.

Example: “I worked as an investment banker at my last company for five years. During that time, I learned how to analyze financial statements and perform complex calculations. This skill set has helped me understand the processes of CITs and apply my knowledge of finance to support them. My previous job also taught me how to work with clients and communicate effectively. These skills are important for this role because I need to be able to explain complicated concepts to clients.”

5. Explain what a credit default swap is.

This question is a basic knowledge test that the interviewer may ask to see if you have enough technical expertise for the role. Your answer should include an explanation of what it is and how it works, but also show your ability to apply it in real-world situations.

Example: “A credit default swap is a financial instrument where one party pays another to protect against default on debt obligations. For example, let’s say I’m a bank and I want to make sure I get paid back by my customers. So, I pay someone else to take over the risk of defaulting on loans. If they default, then they would owe me money instead.”

6. What do you think are the most important qualities for someone who wants to be successful in the finance industry?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your understanding of what it takes to be successful in this role. Use examples from your own experience and include qualities that you feel are important, such as:

Analytical skills
Communication skills
Problem-solving skills
Example: “I think one of the most important qualities someone needs to have in this industry is strong analytical skills. I’ve noticed that many finance professionals use complex formulas and equations to solve problems, so having an aptitude for math and numbers is essential. Another quality I think is important is communication. In my previous position, I was responsible for communicating with clients about their accounts and financial transactions. It’s important to me that I can clearly communicate information to others.”

7. Tell me about a time where you were able to come up with a creative solution to solve a problem.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to provide specific details about what you did and how it helped solve the issue.

Example: “At my last job, we had a lot of patients who would call us with questions or concerns that were unrelated to their medical care. This was causing our phone lines to be very busy during peak hours, which made it difficult for other patients to get through. I decided to create an online portal where patients could submit their questions and receive answers from one of our CITs. This allowed us to better serve our patients while also reducing the amount of calls we received.”

8. What kind of tools do you use to keep track of market trends?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using specific tools that are important for the role. Use your answer to highlight any skills or knowledge you have related to market trends and how they can benefit the company.

Example: “I use several different tools to keep track of market trends, including social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. I also subscribe to a few newsletters that provide valuable information about new products and services in the industry. These resources help me stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the field so I can share my insights with others at work.”

9. Describe your experience working with senior management teams.

This question can help interviewers understand your ability to work with management and leadership teams. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time you worked with senior management or a time when you were part of the senior management team.

Example: “In my current role as CIT, I have regular meetings with the hospital’s chief medical officer and other members of the senior management team. These meetings are an opportunity for us to discuss patient care concerns and how we can improve our processes. In my previous position, I was also part of the senior management team. We met regularly to discuss important issues that affected patients and staff.”

10. Are you comfortable with working long hours and traveling frequently?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your willingness to work in this role. It’s important that you are able to adapt to working long hours and traveling frequently, as these are common requirements of CITs. When answering this question, be honest about your ability to adapt to these conditions. If you’re not sure how you would react to these situations, it’s best to answer honestly and explain that you would need some time to adjust.

Example: “I am comfortable with working long hours and traveling frequently. I understand that this job requires me to do both of these things regularly. However, if I were to start this position, I would want to make sure that I’m getting enough rest so that I can perform my duties well.”

11. What are some ways that CIT can improve its relationship with customers?

This question can help interviewers evaluate your customer service skills and how you might improve the company’s relationship with customers. Use examples from your previous experience to highlight your ability to work well with others, communicate effectively and solve problems.

Example: “I think one of the best ways CIT can improve its relationship with customers is by providing more training for frontline employees. I’ve worked in several hospitals where we had a dedicated team that would train new staff members on our policies and procedures. This helped ensure that all employees were familiar with the hospital’s services and could answer questions about them. It also improved communication between departments because everyone was speaking the same language.”

12. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your confidence and self-awareness. They want to know that you have the skills, experience and knowledge to do the job well. When answering this question, make sure you highlight your relevant skills and abilities. You can also mention any unique or transferable skills you possess.

Example: “I am a highly motivated individual with excellent communication skills. I am always willing to go above and beyond for my patients and colleagues. In my previous role as a CNA, I was often asked to help other nurses when they were short staffed. I enjoy helping others and feel like I would be an asset to your team.”

13. What do you know about our company?

This question is a great way to test your research skills and show the interviewer that you are serious about this job. Before your interview, make sure to read through the company’s website and social media accounts so you can mention something specific about their mission or values. You can also look at recent news articles about the company to see if there was any major press coverage.

Example: “I’ve been following your company for quite some time now, and I’m impressed with how much you value employee satisfaction. For example, last year you implemented a new policy where employees could take an extra hour of paid leave on their birthday. This shows me that you care about your employees’ well-being and want them to feel appreciated.”

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

This question can help the interviewer determine if you would be a good fit for their facility. They may want to know that you are comfortable working in an environment with children who have special needs and disabilities, as well as those who do not. You should answer honestly about what type of environment you feel most comfortable working in so they can decide whether or not this is the right position for you.

Example: “I feel most comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where I am constantly learning new things. In my previous role, I worked at a school for children with autism, and I loved how challenging it was to work with these kids. I also enjoyed being able to see them make progress throughout the year.”

15. Do you think you will have any trouble working in a fast-paced environment?

Working as a CIT can be very demanding, especially when you’re working with children. Employers ask this question to make sure that you are capable of handling the fast pace and pressure of the job. In your answer, explain why you think you will be able to handle the demands of the position. If you have experience in a similar environment, share that information.

Example: “I am used to working in a fast-paced environment. I worked as a camp counselor for three summers, so I’m familiar with how to work under pressure. I also understand that it’s important to keep up with the pace because the safety of the patients is always our top priority. I know that if I ever feel overwhelmed or stressed out, I can talk to my supervisor about getting some time off.”

16. Have you ever worked with a team member who wasn’t pulling their weight? How did you handle it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and your ability to work with others. Your answer should show that you are willing to speak up when necessary, but also know how to resolve conflicts in a positive way.

Example: “I once worked with a team member who was consistently late for meetings and often missed them entirely. I tried talking to him about it first, but he didn’t seem interested in changing his behavior. So, I talked to our manager about the issue and they helped me find another role within the company where my skills would be better utilized.”

17. What types of software programs are you familiar with?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the software they use in their facility. If you don’t, it’s important to show that you’re willing to learn new programs and adapt quickly. You can answer this question by listing the types of software you’ve used in previous positions or any other relevant software knowledge you have.

Example: “I’m familiar with all major office software like Microsoft Office and Google Docs. I also know how to use a variety of medical software including EMR systems, patient scheduling software and inventory management software.”

18. Give an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or client. How did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you would handle a challenging situation with a client or customer and if you have the necessary skills to help them solve their problem. In your answer, try to explain what steps you took to resolve the issue and highlight any specific skills that helped you in the process.

Example: “In my previous role as a CIT, I had a difficult time with one of my clients who was very demanding. He often called me at all hours of the day asking for updates on his child’s progress. At first, I found it hard to deal with his constant calls, but I learned to use active listening techniques to calm him down when he got upset. This allowed me to diffuse the situation and provide him with the information he needed.”

19. What type of clients do you want to work with?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you are a good fit for their facility. They may ask this to see if you have experience working with clients who have similar needs as those they serve. You should answer honestly and try to show that you would be excited about working with their clientele.

Example: “I want to work with all types of clients, but I am especially interested in working with children. I love seeing them learn new things and find joy in life. I think my patience and ability to relate to kids will make me an excellent CIT for your facility.”

20. What are your career goals?

Employers ask this question to see if you have a long-term career plan. They want to know that you are committed to the role and will continue to grow with their company. When answering, be honest about your goals. If you don’t have any specific plans for your future, explain what motivates you in your work.

Example: “I am currently working toward my CNA certification. I hope to one day become a nurse or doctor. However, I love working as a CIT because it gives me valuable experience. I enjoy helping patients feel more comfortable during their stay. Eventually, I would like to work in a hospital setting.”