20 Financial Times Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, every company has their own unique process. And while some companies may ask similar questions, others will have their own specific questions that they use to gauge a candidate’s fit for the role.

If you’re interviewing with a company, it’s important to be prepared for anything. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of common interview questions that financial firms ask, so you can go into your interview with confidence.

Financial Times Interview Process

The interview process at Financial Times is very straightforward. There are three rounds of interviews – the first is a quick 15-min phone call with the recruiter, the second is an hour long interview with your departments hiring managers, and the third is a presentation on a topic they give you later on. All responses are typically about a week apart.

1. How do you think the news industry has changed over the last few years?

The interviewer may ask this question to see how you feel about the news industry and its changes. They want to know if you are excited or worried about these changes, and they also want to know what your opinion is on them.

Example: “I think that the news industry has changed a lot over the last few years. I am happy to see more diversity in the media, but I do worry about the future of journalism as a whole. With fewer journalists out there reporting the news, it’s hard to get quality information. However, I believe that with new technology we can still find ways to produce high-quality content.”

2. What is your opinion on the current political climate and how it impacts journalism?

The Financial Times is a business news organization, but it also provides political and social commentary. The interviewer wants to know how you feel about the current state of journalism and whether or not you can provide an unbiased opinion on politics.

Example: “I believe that journalists have a responsibility to report the facts without bias. However, I think we should be able to express our opinions in other ways, such as through op-ed pieces. As long as we are transparent with our readers about who wrote what, I don’t see any problem with expressing our personal views.”

3. Do you have any past experience in sales? If so, what did you enjoy most about it?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential colleague’s past experience and how it may relate to the position you’re interviewing for. If they have sales experience, ask them what their favorite part of that job was.

Example: “I actually do have some experience in sales. I worked as an insurance agent for three years before moving into my current role at XYZ Insurance Company. My favorite part of selling insurance was helping people understand all of their options when it came to choosing a policy. It was rewarding to help someone find a plan that fit their needs.”

4. Why do you want to work at Financial Times?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and the company. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific aspect of Financial Times that you admire or something about the organization that attracted you to apply in the first place.

Example: “I want to work at Financial Times because I am passionate about business news and financial reporting. Your publication has been my go-to source for this information for years, so I would love to contribute to its success as a writer. In addition, I think your commitment to quality journalism makes you a leader in the industry.”

5. Have you worked with a financial database before?

This question is a great way to see if the candidate has experience with financial databases. If they have, you can ask them about their previous experience and how it helped them in their career. If they haven’t worked with a database before, you can explain what one is and why it’s important for this role.

Example: “Yes, I’ve worked with a financial database before. In my last position as an accountant, I used a financial database to track all of our company’s finances. This allowed me to keep accurate records of where our money was going and ensure that we were following all regulations.”

6. Are you familiar with Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters?

The Financial Times is a competitor to Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters. These are two of the largest financial news organizations in the world, so it’s important that you understand how they operate.

If you have experience with these companies, explain what your role was and why you chose to leave. If you don’t have experience with them, simply state that you’re not familiar with them but would be happy to learn more about their operations if hired.

Example: “I am familiar with both Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters. I worked for Bloomberg as an analyst for three years before deciding to pursue other opportunities. While there, I learned a lot about the financial industry and gained valuable skills that I use today. I left because I wanted to work somewhere where I could make a bigger impact on the company.”

7. Tell me about a time where you had a disagreement with a colleague or manager.

This question can help employers understand how you resolve conflict and your ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you had a disagreement with someone but also how you resolved the issue or worked through the disagreement.

Example: “I once disagreed with my manager about an article I wrote for the company’s blog. My manager thought that the content was too complex for our target audience and wanted me to rewrite it. However, I felt strongly about the piece and explained why I believed it would appeal to our readers. In the end, we both agreed to publish the piece on the company website and in our newsletter.”

8. Please provide an example of when you used numerical data to support a point.

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to use data and statistics to support a point or idea. This can be especially important if you are interviewing for a position that requires you to analyze financial information.

Example: “In my last role, I was working on a project where we were trying to determine the best way to increase sales in our company’s online store. We had several ideas about how to do this, but we needed to know which one would work best. So, I used some of the software I learned in school to create a spreadsheet with all of our ideas listed. Then, I calculated the cost-benefit ratio for each idea and determined that increasing the number of products available online would have the most benefit.”

9. Describe a situation where you needed to explain complex information to someone who was not very knowledgeable about the topic.

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and ability to simplify complex information. When answering this question, it can be helpful to use examples from previous jobs or school projects where you had to explain something that was difficult for others to understand.

Example: “In my last job as an accountant, I worked with several clients who were not very knowledgeable about accounting practices. In these situations, I would first make sure they understood the basics of what we were discussing before moving on to more complicated topics. This helped me ensure that everyone was on the same page and provided them with enough information so they could ask questions if needed.”

10. What kind of things would you like to know from a client relationship perspective?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the client relationship and how you would handle it. When answering this question, consider what kind of information you would like from clients and how you would use that information to improve your work.

Example: “I would love to know more about my clients’ businesses so I can provide them with better financial advice. For example, if they are having trouble meeting their sales goals, I could help them understand why that’s happening and offer solutions for improvement.”

11. What are some of the common mistakes that journalists make?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can avoid making similar mistakes. When answering, it’s important to be honest about what common mistakes journalists make so that you don’t repeat them yourself.

Example: “I think one of the most common mistakes journalists make is not doing enough research before writing a story. It’s important to do thorough research on any topic you’re writing about because if you get something wrong or misspell someone’s name, it could reflect poorly on the publication as a whole. Another mistake I’ve seen is when journalists write stories without talking to both sides. This leads to biased reporting which isn’t always accurate.”

12. Who are our competitors for this role, and why should we hire you over them?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its competitors. It also shows that you have done some research on the role and are aware of what it entails. When answering this question, make sure to mention specific reasons why you would be a better fit for the job than other candidates.

Example: “I know that Financial Times’ main competitor is Wall Street Journal. I think my experience in financial journalism makes me a more qualified candidate because I understand how to write news stories about business topics. My writing style is clear and concise, which is important when covering complex financial issues.”

13. What does quality content mean to you?

The Financial Times is a news organization that values quality content. They want to know what you think about the importance of producing high-quality journalism and how you would contribute to their team.

Example: “Quality content means providing readers with information they can use in their daily lives. I believe it’s important for journalists to be unbiased, but also transparent about their opinions. When writing for the Financial Times, I would strive to provide my audience with objective reporting while still giving them insight into my own thoughts on certain topics.”

14. What type of reporting software do you use?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your technical skills and how you apply them in the workplace. If you have experience using reporting software, describe what type of software it is and how you use it. If you don’t have experience with reporting software, explain which other types of software you’re familiar with and how you would apply those skills to a financial news organization.

Example: “I’ve used Business Objects for several years now. I find that it’s an effective tool for organizing data and creating reports. It also allows me to collaborate with my team members on projects so we can all contribute our ideas.”

15. What’s more important – speed or accuracy?

This question is a common one in the business world, and it’s often asked to determine how you prioritize your work. Your answer should show that you understand both speed and accuracy are important when completing tasks at work.

Example: “Both speed and accuracy are essential for doing my job well. I always strive to complete my work as quickly as possible while still maintaining accuracy. For example, if I’m working on an article, I’ll write out the entire piece before editing it for spelling or grammar mistakes. Then, I’ll go back through the article and make any necessary edits.”

16. How much research do you typically conduct before writing a story?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your research skills and how you apply them in the workplace. Use your answer to highlight your ability to conduct thorough research, analyze data and interpret information for a variety of audiences.

Example: “I always start my writing process by conducting extensive research on the topic I’m covering. I read through all available news articles and company reports to get an idea of what’s happening within the industry. Then, I contact experts in the field to find out their opinions on recent developments. Finally, I interview key players in the story to get their perspectives and ensure that I have enough information to write a compelling piece.”

17. How do you stay up to date on the latest economic issues?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have a passion for business news and financial information. Show the interviewer that you are passionate about learning more about current events in the business world by explaining how you stay informed on important topics.

Example: “I subscribe to several newsletters that provide me with daily updates on the latest economic issues. I also follow many different business publications online, such as Forbes and Business Insider, where I can read articles written by experts in their field. I find these resources very helpful when it comes to staying up-to-date on the latest trends.”

18. What skills do you bring to the table that will benefit FT?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your skills and how they relate to the FT workplace. To answer, think of a skill you have that relates to working in a newsroom or journalism environment.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which I believe will benefit FT because it’s important for journalists to be able to work quickly while still maintaining accuracy. In my previous role as a journalist, I was always praised for my ability to write concisely and accurately, so I know I can bring those skills to FT.”

19. What do you look for when reading a news article?

This question can help the interviewer understand your reading habits and how you approach a news article. It can also show them what kind of information you value when reading about business topics.

Example: “I look for an unbiased opinion, as well as facts that are supported by evidence. I want to know if there is any conflict of interest with the author or publication, and I like to see quotes from experts in the field. I also appreciate it when the writer includes links to additional resources so I can learn more.”

20. What questions do you have for us?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done some research on Financial Times and are interested in working for them. It also gives you an opportunity to ask about any information you may not know, such as what the company culture is like or how many employees work there.

Example: “I was impressed by the number of awards Financial Times has won over the years. I would be curious to learn more about the process of winning these awards and if there are any tips you could share with me.”