20 GIC Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And if you’re hoping to land a job at GIC, a global long-term investment firm, you’ll want to be prepared to answer some company-specific interview questions.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some common GIC interview questions, so you can go into your interview with confidence. We’ll cover questions about your experience, your motivations for wanting to work at GIC, and your thoughts on the global economy.

So whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional, read on for some helpful tips on how to ace your GIC interview.

GIC Interview Process

The interview process at GIC is generally smooth and fast. Candidates can expect to be asked about their past experience, both in school and on the job. The team is typically able to explain the job role well. Overall, candidates report having a good interview experience at GIC.

1. What is your favorite thing about working in finance?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the industry and why you chose a career in finance. Your answer should include something that relates to working with numbers, analyzing data or helping people make financial decisions.

Example: “My favorite thing about working in finance is being able to help people make smart money choices. I love seeing how my advice helps clients achieve their goals and knowing that I played a part in making that happen. It’s rewarding to know that I’m helping others reach their dreams.”

2. Tell me how you would go about building a financial model.

This question is a great way to test your modeling skills and how you would apply them in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a financial model that you have built before.

Example: “I would start by identifying what I need to know about the company or project I’m analyzing. Then, I would gather all relevant data and enter it into the model. After that, I would analyze the results and make any necessary adjustments to my assumptions. Finally, I would present my findings to senior management.”

3. How do you think the economy will change over the next five years?

This question can help the interviewer understand your economic forecasting skills and how you might apply them to GIC. Use examples from your previous experience or education to explain how you predict future trends in the economy.

Example: “I think that over the next five years, we’ll see a shift toward more sustainable energy sources. In my last position as an economist for the state government, I predicted this trend based on current market conditions. For example, I noticed that solar power was becoming increasingly affordable while oil prices were rising. This led me to believe that consumers would start shifting their spending habits away from fossil fuels.”

4. Do you have any experience analyzing financial statements and evaluating companies?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience with GIC’s investment strategy. If you do, share your experiences and how they helped you succeed in your previous roles.

Example: “I’ve had several opportunities to analyze financial statements for companies I worked for as a financial analyst. In my last role, I was responsible for analyzing company performance and comparing it to industry standards. This allowed me to identify areas of improvement that could increase revenue and decrease costs. It also gave me insight into what types of investments would be most beneficial for the company.”

5. Can you tell me about a time when you had to make an investment decision on a company with limited information?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions in a fast-paced environment and how you use your analytical skills to make informed choices.

Example: “In my previous role, I was responsible for making investment decisions on companies that were not publicly traded. This meant that there wasn’t much information available about these companies, so I had to rely on other sources of data to make an educated decision. In this situation, I would look at company financials, industry trends and competitor analysis to determine if it was a good time to invest.”

6. Have you ever been asked to provide advice to a client or manager based on research you conducted?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you use your research skills to benefit others. Use examples from past experiences where you helped a client or manager make an informed decision based on your findings.

Example: “In my previous role, I was responsible for researching and analyzing global economic trends that could affect our company’s business operations. One of my primary responsibilities was identifying opportunities for growth in foreign markets. During one meeting with my team, I shared some of my insights about the potential for expansion into South America. My advice led to us developing a new product line geared toward the South American market.”

7. Give us an example of when you were proactive in finding solutions instead of waiting for instructions.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to find solutions on your own rather than just stating that you did so.

Example: “When I first started working at my previous company, I noticed that our database was missing some important information. Instead of waiting for someone else to notice, I created a new spreadsheet with all of the data we were missing and emailed everyone in the department asking them if they had any additional information. One of my coworkers responded saying she had more information about one of the clients we were tracking. She sent me the updated information, which I then added to the spreadsheet.”

8. Which areas of the market are you most interested in investing in? Why?

This question helps the interviewer understand your investment philosophy and how you might apply it to managing Singapore’s foreign reserves. Use examples from your experience to explain why you chose those areas and what factors influenced your decision-making process.

Example: “I’m most interested in investing in companies that have a strong track record of growth, as well as innovative products or services. I also look for companies with sustainable business models that are able to adapt to changing market conditions. In my last role, I was responsible for researching and selecting companies to invest in based on these criteria. We ended up choosing several promising startups that were developing new technologies.”

9. How well do you work under pressure?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Use examples from previous experiences where you had to work under tight deadlines or manage a large workload.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for managing the company’s social media accounts. This included posting content on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter daily. The company experienced an increase in followers during peak holiday seasons, so I had to post more frequently than usual. I learned how to schedule posts ahead of time so that I could focus on other tasks while the scheduled posts were being published.”

10. Describe a time where you managed multiple projects at once, what was your approach?

This question is a great way to show your ability to multitask and prioritize tasks. It also shows the interviewer how you manage time, which is an important skill for this role.

Example: “In my current position as a financial analyst, I am responsible for managing multiple projects at once. For example, I may be working on a project that requires me to analyze data from different sources while also preparing reports for senior management. To balance these responsibilities, I use organizational tools like Microsoft Project to keep track of deadlines and progress. This helps me stay organized and ensures all projects are completed by their due dates.”

11. We value communication skills here at GIC. How would you describe your written and verbal communication skills?

GIC is a global company that requires employees to communicate with each other in different time zones. Your interviewer will want to know how you feel about communicating with others and working on projects with people who are not physically present.

Example: “I have always been an active communicator, whether it’s through writing or speaking. I find that both forms of communication help me process my thoughts and ideas more clearly. In fact, I often write down my thoughts before I speak them out loud so that I can ensure that I am being as clear as possible. This has helped me build strong relationships with my coworkers and clients.”

12. Are there any aspects of this position that you feel confident in?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your confidence level and determine if you are ready for this position. When answering, be honest about what you know and highlight any skills or knowledge that will help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I feel confident in my ability to manage risk and make smart investment decisions. I have extensive experience working with foreign currency markets and understand how to invest in different types of currencies. I also have previous experience managing large sums of money, so I am prepared for the responsibility of handling Singapore’s reserves.”

13. After reviewing our website, can you tell me something you learned about GIC?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its operations. It also allows you to show that you have done some research on the organization before your interview.

Example: “I learned that GIC manages Singapore’s foreign reserves, which are invested in over 50 countries around the world. I also read about how it has grown from $5 billion when it was founded in 1981 to more than $300 billion today. This growth shows me that the company is committed to investing wisely for the long term.”

14. What type of work environment do you thrive in?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you might fit in with the GIC team. To answer, think about what type of work environment you enjoy most and why. You can also mention any specific aspects of a workplace that make it enjoyable for you.

Example: “I thrive in an environment where I feel like my opinions are valued and respected. At my last job, I was part of a small team that worked on a variety of projects together. We had weekly meetings where we discussed our progress and challenges. This helped me feel comfortable sharing my ideas and asking questions when needed.”

15. How did you learn about this position?

Employers ask this question to learn about your research process. They want to know that you are serious about the position and have done some background work on their company. When answering, make sure to mention how you found out about the job opening and what attracted you to it.

Example: “I learned about this position through my university’s career center. I was looking for a long-term investment opportunity with an international presence, so when I saw this job posting, I knew it would be a great fit for me. After researching GIC more, I realized that this is exactly where I want to start my career.”

16. In which area(s) of finance would you like to grow in?

This question is a great way to show your ambition and desire for growth. It also shows that you are aware of the different areas in finance, which can be helpful if the interviewer asks about specific ones. When answering this question, it’s important to mention an area that you have experience in or would like to learn more about.

Example: “I am very interested in learning more about investment management. I’ve been working as a financial analyst for three years now, and I feel ready to take on more responsibility. I think GIC would be a great place to grow my skills in this area.”

17. If hired, how would you leverage your past experience at GIC?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what GIC does and how your past experience can help you succeed in this role. You can use examples from your resume or cover letter to explain how your previous work experience has prepared you for this role.

Example: “I have a strong background in finance, which I believe will be beneficial to GIC because it’s important to me to manage money responsibly. In my last position as a financial analyst at ABC Financial Group, I helped develop strategies to reduce costs while maintaining revenue streams. This skill set would be useful when managing Singapore’s foreign reserves.”

18. Tell me about a time when you encountered resistance from a team member. How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer assess your leadership skills and ability to collaborate with others. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of how you handled the situation and what actions helped resolve it.

Example: “In my previous role as an investment analyst, I worked on a team that was responsible for analyzing different companies’ stocks. One day, one of my colleagues told me they disagreed with my analysis of a company’s stock because they felt it would perform better than our report stated. I asked them why they thought this, and we discussed their reasoning. After looking at the information again, I realized there were some areas where I could improve my analysis. We then updated our report together.”

19. What motivates you?

This question can help the interviewer understand your work ethic and how you approach challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you were motivated by something in your career or life.

Example: “I am motivated by helping others succeed. In my last role as an analyst, I was working with a team that was trying to find ways to increase sales for one of our clients. We found that if we lowered the price on their product, they would sell more units. This helped them reach their revenue goals while also lowering costs. It felt good to know that we helped the company achieve its goals.”

20. What attracted you to apply to GIC?

This question is an opportunity to show your interest in the company and its values. You can highlight a few aspects of GIC that you find interesting or exciting, such as its global presence, reputation for innovation or commitment to sustainability.

Example: “I am interested in working with a long-term investor like GIC because I believe it’s important to invest in companies that are committed to sustainable practices. In my last job, I worked on a project that helped a local business implement more environmentally friendly processes. It was rewarding to see how our work contributed to the success of the business.”