20 Freddie Mac Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to a job interview, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions. But if you’re interviewing for a position at Freddie Mac, you may be wondering what specific questions you can expect.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample Freddie Mac interview questions and answers. These questions will focus on your experience in the mortgage industry, your knowledge of Freddie Mac’s products and services, and your ability to provide excellent customer service.

By preparing for these questions, you’ll be one step closer to impressing the hiring manager and landing the job.

Freddie Mac Interview Process

The interview process at Freddie Mac can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one behavioral interview and possibly a skills assessment. The overall process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a month to complete.

1. What is your experience working with Freddie Mac?

This question is a great way to gauge your experience with Freddie Mac and how you can apply it to the position. If you have no prior experience, explain what you know about Freddie Mac and its role in the mortgage industry.

Example: “I’ve never worked for Freddie Mac, but I am familiar with their mission and goals. As someone who has been working in the mortgage industry for five years now, I understand that Freddie Mac plays an important role in providing capital to lenders so they can provide mortgages to homeowners.”

2. Explain the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) to us, how would you rate it on a scale of 1-10 and why?

Freddie Mac has a program called the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) that helps to provide affordable housing for low-income families. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with AHP and how you would rate it as an employee of Freddie Mac. In your answer, explain what AHP is and why you think it’s important.

Example: “Freddie Mac’s Affordable Housing Program is a great way to help low-income families find safe places to live. I’ve worked on several projects where we used AHP to build new homes or renovate existing ones so they’re more energy efficient. It’s always been a rewarding experience to work on these types of projects.”

3. How has the mortgage industry changed in the past 5 years?

Freddie Mac is looking for candidates who are aware of the changes in the mortgage industry and how Freddie Mac has adapted to these changes. Use your answer to highlight any trends you’ve noticed, as well as how Freddie Mac has responded to them.

Example: “The mortgage industry has changed a lot over the past five years. In my last position, I saw many lenders begin offering loans with lower interest rates. This was due to the fact that there were more companies entering the market, which increased competition. Freddie Mac also began lowering its standards on FICO scores and loan-to-value ratios to keep up with this change.”

4. What are some of your favorite aspects of the financial services industry?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new colleagues. It can also help you determine if Freddie Mac is the right fit for you. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest and genuine. You want to show that you’re excited about working in the financial services industry while also highlighting some of your skills and experiences.

Example: “I love helping people achieve their dreams of home ownership. I find it so rewarding when I’m able to provide someone with the resources they need to buy a house. I’ve been doing this work for over five years now, and I still get butterflies every time I close on a loan.”

5. Can you tell me about a time where you helped make an important business decision?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential future colleagues and how they make decisions. Freddie Mac wants to know that you can think critically, weigh options and come to an informed decision.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working with a team of five people on a project for our client. We were all in the same room when one of my coworkers suggested we use a different software program than what we had been using. I asked him why he thought this would be better, and he said it would save us time. I told him I appreciated his input but wanted to discuss it with the rest of the group before making any final decisions.”

6. Why do you want to work at Freddie Mac?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in working at Freddie Mac. Use this opportunity to show how you are passionate about the company’s mission and values.

Example: “Freddie Mac has been an important part of the mortgage industry for many years, and I am excited to be able to work with such a reputable organization. I have always admired Freddie Mac’s dedication to providing affordable housing options to Americans. I feel that my skills and experience make me a good fit for this role.”

7. Walk us through a time when you had to deal with ambiguity.

Freddie Mac is a company that requires its employees to be able to work with ambiguity. This question allows you to show the interviewer how you can handle uncertainty and still complete your tasks effectively.

Example: “I once had to deal with ambiguity when I was working on a project for my previous employer. The client wanted us to create a website that would allow them to sell their products online, but they didn’t know what kind of website they wanted. They just knew they wanted it to look professional and have an easy-to-use interface. We ended up creating a website using WordPress so that they could easily update the site themselves.”

8. Tell us about a time that you failed and what you learned from it.

Freddie Mac wants to know that you are willing to learn from your mistakes. This question also allows the interviewer to see how you respond to failure and whether or not you can use it as a learning experience.

Example: “I once had an opportunity to work with a large company, but I turned it down because I thought I could get a better offer elsewhere. Unfortunately, I didn’t receive another offer for six months, which meant I lost out on the job at the larger company. I learned that sometimes it’s best to take the job you’re offered rather than waiting for something better.”

9. What is your process for managing projects?

Freddie Mac requires employees to be organized and able to manage multiple projects at once. Your answer should show the interviewer that you have a system for managing your time and tasks, as well as how you prioritize them.

Example: “I use project management software to keep track of my progress on Freddie Mac’s current projects. I also use it to create checklists for each task I need to complete. This helps me stay organized and ensures that I don’t forget any steps in completing a project. It also allows me to see what other team members are working on so we can collaborate when necessary.”

10. Talk about a time you implemented a new system or policy that was not well received by employees.

Freddie Mac is looking for candidates who can implement change and improve processes. This question allows you to show your ability to lead a team through a challenging time.

Example: “When I first started my current position, I implemented a new system that streamlined the process of submitting documents to underwriters. The employees were used to submitting their documents in a certain way, so they had some initial pushback on the new policy. However, after explaining the benefits of the new system, most employees understood why it was important to follow the new procedure.”

11. How have you managed stress in previous jobs?

Freddie Mac is a high-pressure job, and the interviewer may ask this question to learn how you’ve handled stress in the past. Use your answer to explain that you’re able to manage stress effectively and prioritize tasks when under pressure.

Example: “In my previous role as an accountant, I had to balance multiple projects at once while also ensuring all of our company’s financial records were accurate. This was stressful, but I developed a system for prioritizing my work so I could ensure everything was done on time. I learned to focus on one task at a time and delegate other tasks to coworkers or temporary employees if needed.”

12. What does success mean to you?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s values and goals. It can also help you determine whether they would be a good fit for Freddie Mac, as it allows you to see how their definition of success aligns with the company’s mission statement.

Example: “Success means different things to me at different times in my life. When I was younger, I thought that success meant having a high-paying job and buying nice things. Now that I’m older, I realize that true success comes from helping others and making a positive impact on the world.”

13. Do you consider yourself a strategic thinker?

Freddie Mac is looking for employees who can think strategically and make decisions that benefit the company. When answering this question, it’s important to show your ability to analyze a situation and come up with solutions.

Example: “I do consider myself a strategic thinker because I’m always thinking about how my actions will affect the outcome of a project or task. In my last role as an operations manager, I had to manage multiple projects at once. I would meet with my team members regularly to discuss our progress on each project and what we needed to get done. This helped me understand which tasks were more urgent than others so I could prioritize them.”

14. Would you be comfortable training others in a variety of topics?

Freddie Mac hires individuals who are willing to train others in their department. This question is designed to determine if you have experience training others and how comfortable you would be doing so at Freddie Mac.

Example: “I’ve had the opportunity to train new employees on several occasions, and I find it quite rewarding. It’s important for me to make sure that everyone understands the processes we use and why they’re important. In my last position, I was responsible for training a new employee every week. I found this process very beneficial because it allowed me to review all of our procedures regularly.”

15. Give examples of times where you were able to build rapport quickly while networking.

Freddie Mac is a large company that requires employees to network with other professionals in the industry. Your answer should show your ability to connect with others and build relationships quickly.

Example: “I recently attended a networking event where I met several people who worked for different mortgage companies. After talking with them, I learned they were looking for someone to help their company create new marketing campaigns. I offered my services as a freelance writer and was able to secure a contract with them.”

16. Are you open to relocation?

Freddie Mac is a global company, and they may ask this question to see if you’re willing to relocate for the job. If you are open to relocation, explain why. If you aren’t open to relocation, explain your reasons.

Example: “I am open to relocation as long as my family can come with me. I have always wanted to live in California, so I would be thrilled to move there for this position. My spouse has a great job here, but we could find other jobs or homes nearby. We also have two children who are in school, so we wouldn’t want to uproot them from their friends.”

17. Provide an example of when you worked well within a team environment.

Freddie Mac is a large company that requires its employees to work well within teams. This question allows the interviewer to assess your teamwork skills and how you interact with others in a professional setting. To answer this question, think of a time when you worked on a project or task with a group of people. Explain what made it successful and highlight any specific contributions you made.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant, I was part of a team tasked with creating new financial reports for our clients. We had to analyze data from previous reports and create new ones based on those findings. It took us several weeks to complete all of the tasks, but we were able to successfully meet all of our client’s needs.”

18. How do you motivate others?

Freddie Mac employees work in a team environment, so it’s important to show that you can motivate your colleagues and help them succeed. Use examples from previous jobs where you motivated others or helped someone achieve their goals.

Example: “I believe that everyone has the ability to be successful if they put in the effort. I try to encourage my coworkers by recognizing their accomplishments and praising them for their hard work. When I see someone doing something well, I make sure to let them know how much I appreciate their efforts. This helps create an encouraging and motivating work environment.”

19. Describe a situation where you used logic to solve a problem.

Freddie Mac is looking for candidates who can use their critical thinking skills to solve problems. This question allows you to show your ability to analyze a situation and come up with the best solution.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on a project that required me to create a new system of tracking data. The company had been using an outdated system, so we needed to find a way to track all of our information in real time. We decided to implement a software program that would allow us to do this. It took some trial and error to get it right, but eventually, we were able to successfully integrate the new system.”

20. Is there anything else you would like to add?

This is your chance to show the interviewer that you have more to offer than what they’ve seen so far. Use this opportunity to highlight any additional skills or experiences that may be relevant to the position and how you can contribute to Freddie Mac’s success.

Example: “I’m passionate about helping others succeed, which is why I started my own business as a freelance writer. My writing has been published in several online publications, including The Huffington Post and Business Insider. I also volunteer at my local library where I teach children how to use computers for research.”