20 FS Investments Interview Questions and Answers

FS Investments is a leading provider of alternative investment solutions. The company offers a variety of products, including private equity, real estate, and credit strategies.

If you’re hoping to land a job at FS Investments, 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 range of questions about your experience, qualifications, and goals.

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

FS Investments Interview Process

The interview process at FS Investments is lengthy, and can involve multiple rounds of interviews, online assessments, and phone screens. The company has been known to “ghost” candidates after the interview process, which can be very frustrating for those who have dedicated time and energy to the process.

1. What are your thoughts on the current state of the market?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your knowledge of the current market and how you would approach investing in it. Your answer should include a brief overview of the state of the market, including any recent trends or changes that have occurred. You can also use this opportunity to show your ability to analyze data and make predictions about future market conditions.

Example: “The current state of the market is very positive. The economy has been steadily growing for several years now, which means companies are making more money and consumers are spending more. This leads to increased stock prices as investors see growth potential. I think we’re going to continue seeing strong returns on our investments for quite some time.”

2. How do you think FS Investments will perform in the next 5-10 years?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of the company and how you think it will perform in the future. Your answer should include details about what you know about FS Investments, including its current performance and any recent news or developments that may affect its future.

Example: “FS Investments has been performing well over the last few years, with an average annual return of 10%. I believe this trend will continue as long as the company continues to invest in new technologies and strategies. For example, the company recently invested $100 million into blockchain technology, which could help them improve their returns even more.”

3. Tell us about a time when you had to provide data analysis for a project.

This question can help the interviewer understand your analytical skills and how you use them to complete projects. Use examples from previous work experience or explain how you would approach a data analysis project if this is something you have not done before.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for analyzing financial reports on a weekly basis. This helped me identify trends in spending and revenue that could affect our company’s overall performance. For example, one week we noticed an increase in expenses related to marketing campaigns. After reviewing the campaign details, I realized we had spent more money than expected on social media advertising. By identifying these issues early, I was able to adjust our budget accordingly so we didn’t overspend.”

4. Which area of finance are you most interested in?

This question is a great way to determine what your career goals are. It also helps the interviewer understand how you might fit into their company culture and which projects you would be most passionate about working on. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an area of finance that you have studied or researched in the past.

Example: “I am interested in financial planning because I find it interesting to help people plan for their future. I enjoy learning about different investment strategies and helping clients make smart decisions with their money. In my last role, I helped clients create budgets and develop savings plans so they could achieve their long-term financial goals.”

5. What is your experience in investment management and financial services?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and experience. Use this opportunity to highlight any relevant skills, knowledge or certifications you have that make you an ideal candidate for the role.

Example: “I’ve been working in investment management for five years now. I started out as a financial advisor at my previous company where I helped clients create long-term plans for their finances. In my current position, I am responsible for managing client portfolios and overseeing all aspects of the investment process. This includes researching new opportunities, analyzing risk factors and making informed decisions on which investments are best for our clients.”

6. Do you have any experience working with Excel or other spreadsheet programs?

FS Investments uses Microsoft Excel to create financial models and other documents. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with spreadsheets, especially if you’re applying for a role that requires working with them regularly. In your answer, share what types of spreadsheet programs you’ve used in the past and how comfortable you are using them. If you haven’t worked with Excel before, explain which type of program you prefer to use instead.

Example: “I have some experience working with Excel, although I’m more experienced with Google Sheets. I find it easier to organize my thoughts when creating a spreadsheet on Google Sheets because there’s no limit to the number of columns or rows I can add. However, I am open to learning new things and would be happy to take additional training if needed.”

7. Can you tell me about a time where you had to work under pressure?

This question is a great way to see how you handle pressure and stress. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you had to work under pressure but still managed to complete your tasks successfully.

Example: “When I was working as an assistant manager at my previous job, there were times where the store would get very busy. This meant that I needed to help with customer service while also helping other employees with their tasks. There were many days where we were extremely busy, which made it difficult for me to do everything on my own. However, I learned to delegate tasks to other employees so that everyone could stay productive.”

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

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. The interviewer wants to know what your greatest strengths are so they can see how you will contribute to the team. They also want to know about any weaknesses so that they can help you improve them or decide if you’re a good fit for the position.

Example: “My greatest strength is my attention to detail. I am always sure to double-check all of my work before submitting it. This has helped me avoid mistakes and errors in the past. My weakness is that sometimes I get too focused on details and lose sight of the big picture. I’m working on improving this by taking more breaks throughout the day.”

9. We want our analysts to be able to work independently. Do you think you would be a good fit for that type of environment?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you can work independently and are comfortable with the responsibilities of this role. You should highlight your ability to manage your time, prioritize tasks and communicate effectively with others.

Example: “I am a self-starter who has always been able to complete my assignments on time. I have also learned how to ask for help when needed, which has helped me learn new processes more quickly. In my current position, I often take on projects outside of my job description because I enjoy learning about different aspects of finance. This has led to some promotions in the past.”

10. Describe your experience working with clients.

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to work with clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific client you worked with in the past and how you helped them achieve their goals.

Example: “I have experience working with many different types of clients, including individuals, families and businesses. I enjoy helping people reach their financial goals by creating personalized plans for each client. In my last role, I had a client who was looking for ways to save money on their monthly expenses. After meeting with her, I created a budget that included some small changes she could make to reduce her spending while still maintaining her lifestyle.”

11. Have you ever worked in an advisory role before? If so, can you describe a situation where you provided advice to someone?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how you might fit into their organization. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your skills, knowledge and abilities.

Example: “I have worked in an advisory role for my current employer for the past five years. In this position, I provide advice on investment strategies to clients who are looking to grow their portfolios. My client base is primarily high-net-worth individuals, so I am used to working with a wide range of financial situations. This has helped me develop a diverse set of skills that allow me to adapt to new challenges.”

12. Tell us why you want to work at FS Investments.

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in working at FS Investments. They want to know what attracted you to this company and whether it aligns with your career goals. Your answer should include two or three reasons why you are excited to work here, including any specific details that make you eager to join the team.

Example: “I am passionate about investing and I think FS Investments is an innovative company. I have read many of your press releases and seen some of your advertisements, and I was impressed by how much you value customer service. I also love the idea of helping people grow their wealth through smart investments.”

13. What do you know about FS Investments?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its history. It also allows you to show that you have done some research on the organization before coming in for an interview. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include specific facts about FS Investments’ history or recent news.

Example: “I know that FS Investments was founded by Carl Icahn back in 1993. He started the company as a holding company with only $500 million in assets. Since then, he has grown the company into one of the largest private equity firms in the world. I also know that Mr. Icahn recently sold his majority stake in the company to American Capital Group.”

14. Why should we hire you?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and how you can be an asset. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your skills that are relevant to the position and explain why they make you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me a great candidate for this role. I have experience working in a fast-paced environment where I had to manage multiple tasks at once while maintaining accuracy. My attention to detail has helped me find errors before they became major problems, which is something I would like to do here as well.”

15. Are you familiar with private equity funds?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can contribute to the company. If you are not familiar with private equity funds, research them before your interview so that you can answer this question confidently.

Example: “Private equity funds are investment vehicles that pool money from investors to buy a controlling interest in companies or other assets. The fund then invests in these businesses for several years until it’s time to sell the investments. I have worked with private equity funds in my previous role as a financial analyst, where I helped create reports on the performance of these funds.”

16. Can you give us an example of a time when you demonstrated leadership qualities?

Leadership skills are important for any finance professional. Employers ask this question to see if you have the ability to lead a team of professionals and help them achieve their goals. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example from your past experience where you were in charge of a project or task.

Example: “In my last position as an investment analyst, I was responsible for leading a small team of analysts. We had monthly meetings where we discussed our progress on various projects. During these meetings, I would give updates on what I was working on and how my team members were doing with their tasks. I also encouraged everyone to share ideas and concerns so that we could work together to solve any problems.”

17. When was the last time you had to deal with a difficult client or situation?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use examples from your previous work experience to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “In my last role as an investment advisor, I had a client who was very upset about losing money in one of our funds. The fund he invested in was highly volatile, so it’s not uncommon for investors to lose money. However, this particular investor didn’t understand that volatility is part of investing in certain funds. He became increasingly agitated when I explained why he lost money and threatened to take his business elsewhere.

I remained calm and tried to explain things more thoroughly. Eventually, he understood that there are risks involved with investing and agreed to stay with us.”

18. How well do you work under pressure?

This question is a great way to assess your ability to work under pressure and still meet deadlines. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you had to complete a project or task in a short amount of time.

Example: “I am someone who thrives under pressure. In my last role as an investment analyst, I was tasked with completing a large report on the company’s financials within two weeks. I worked hard every day for those two weeks, sometimes even staying late into the evening to ensure that I met my deadline. The report ended up being very beneficial to the company because we were able to identify some areas where we could save money.”

19. Do you enjoy working in a fast paced environment?

FS Investments is a fast-paced environment, and the interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable with that. If you aren’t used to working in this type of environment, it’s important to let them know so they can decide if you’re the right fit for the job.

Example: “I love working in a fast-paced environment because I’m able to get more done in less time. In my last role, we were constantly under pressure to meet deadlines, which made me work harder than ever before. I think I would be a great fit for your company because I thrive on pressure.”

20. What are some things you look for when analyzing a company’s performance?

This question can help the interviewer determine your analytical skills and how you apply them to a job. Use examples from past experience that show your ability to analyze data, interpret information and make decisions based on what you find.

Example: “I look at several factors when analyzing a company’s performance. First, I examine its financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements. Then, I compare these numbers with industry standards to see if they are within expected parameters. Next, I review any recent news about the company to see if there have been any changes in leadership or other developments that could affect their performance. Finally, I consider whether the company is meeting its goals and objectives.”