19 MarketAxess Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a job at MarketAxess, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience with electronic trading platforms and your ability to trade fixed-income securities. You’ll also likely be asked about your knowledge of the bond market and your ability to provide liquidity to market participants. To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample MarketAxess interview questions and answers.

MarketAxess Interview Process

The interview process at MarketAxess can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least a phone screening and a super day. The super day usually consists of 5 back-to-back interviews. For some positions, like software engineering, there may be an additional round of interviews. Overall, the interview process is fairly long, but it is a good idea to be prepared for all types of questions.

1. What is your experience with developing and testing software?

MarketAxess is a technology company that uses software to create and operate its trading platform. Your answer should show the interviewer your experience with developing, testing and implementing software solutions.

Example: “In my last role as a senior developer at XYZ Corp., I was responsible for creating new features and maintaining existing ones on our proprietary software system. I worked closely with other developers to test new features before deploying them to production servers. This process helped us identify bugs in the software and fix them before they impacted users.”

2. How would you respond to an angry client over the phone?

This question is designed to assess your customer service skills. It’s important for employees in financial institutions to have strong interpersonal and communication skills, so the interviewer may want to know how you would handle a challenging situation with a client. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you can remain calm under pressure while also being empathetic and helpful.

Example: “I’ve had experience working in call centers before, so I understand that sometimes customers get upset when they’re on the phone. However, I always make sure to stay calm and respectful even if the caller is rude or angry. I find that remaining calm helps me better understand what the caller needs and allows me to provide them with more detailed answers.”

3. What do you consider the most important skill in a sales analyst role?

MarketAxess is looking for a candidate who can use their analytical skills to help the company achieve its goals. Your answer should show that you have the necessary skills and experience to succeed in this role.

Example: “I believe the most important skill in a sales analyst role is communication. I am able to communicate effectively with both my team members and clients, which helps me understand their needs and find solutions to challenges they face. This skill has helped me develop strong relationships with key stakeholders at previous companies, which has led to increased revenue.”

4. Describe how bonds work.

This question is a basic knowledge test to ensure you have the necessary background in fixed-income trading. To answer this question, define what bonds are and how they work.

Example: “Bonds are debt instruments that companies or governments issue when they need money. The issuer pays interest on the bond until it matures, at which point the investor receives their principal back. There are two types of bonds—fixed income and floating rate. Fixed-income bonds pay a set amount of interest every year, while floating-rate bonds change with market conditions.”

5. Tell me about a time that you had to deal with an upset customer, how did you handle it?

MarketAxess is a financial institution that deals with customers on a daily basis. An interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills and how you handle conflict. In your answer, try to demonstrate empathy for the customer’s situation while also highlighting your problem-solving abilities.

Example: “I once had a client who was upset because they didn’t receive their trade confirmation email within 24 hours of placing an order. I apologized for any inconvenience and explained that MarketAxess sends out these emails automatically but sometimes there are issues with the system. I offered to send them another confirmation email right away so they could have peace of mind.”

6. Why are you interested in working at MarketAxess?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the role and company. When preparing for this interview, read through MarketAxess’s website or other online sources to learn more about the company culture and what they value in their employees.

Example: “I’m interested in working at MarketAxess because of its reputation as a leading innovator in the fixed-income market. I’ve always been passionate about finance and technology, so I am excited to work with a company that combines both. I also appreciate how MarketAxess values diversity and inclusion. As someone who identifies as LGBTQ+, I know it can be difficult to find companies that are inclusive. However, I feel like MarketAxess would be a great place to work.”

7. Do you have any experience working with corporate bonds or fixed income products?

MarketAxess is a leading fixed-income trading platform, so it’s important that you have experience working with this type of product. If you don’t, consider getting some additional training or certifications to show the interviewer your interest in learning more about corporate bonds and other fixed income products.

Example: “I’ve worked with corporate bonds before, but I’m always looking for ways to expand my knowledge and expertise. I recently completed an online course on corporate bond valuation and am currently enrolled in a certification program through the Fixed Income Securities Association.”

8. Give us an example of when you had to solve a complicated problem at work. How did you go about solving the problem? What do you think is the most important thing for someone looking to succeed as a business analyst?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and how you use them in the workplace. It also gives you a chance to talk about what it means to be a business analyst.

Example: “When I was working as a business analyst for my previous employer, we had a client who needed help with their fixed-income trading platform. They were having trouble with some of the more complicated features on our system, so they asked us to come up with a solution. We met with the client and discussed their needs. Then, we came up with a plan to create a separate platform that would allow users to access all of the advanced features without disrupting the existing platform.”

9. Have you ever worked with relational databases before?

MarketAxess uses a relational database to store information about its clients, trades and other data. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with similar databases in the past. If you do, share your experience and explain how it helped you complete your job. If you don’t have any experience working with relational databases, you can talk about your general knowledge of them.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of databases in my career. I’m comfortable using both MySQL and Oracle databases, which are two common types of relational databases. In my last role as a software engineer, I used these databases to create new applications for customers.”

10. In what ways can you use our website to assist clients?

MarketAxess uses a proprietary website to provide clients with information about the fixed-income market. The interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your experience using MarketAxess and how you can help clients use it as well. In your answer, explain what features of MarketAxess are most helpful for clients and why they’re beneficial.

Example: “I find that MarketAxess’s search function is one of its best tools because it allows me to quickly locate specific bonds or companies. I also like the company news feature because it provides up-to-date information on important events in the financial world. These two features have helped me serve my clients by providing them with valuable information.”

11. Which tools would you use if you were trying to identify issues on the trading platform?

MarketAxess uses a variety of tools to monitor the performance and stability of its trading platform. The interviewer may ask you about your experience with these tools, so it’s important to be honest if you don’t have any prior experience using them. If you do have experience, explain how you would use them in this role.

Example: “I’ve used MarketAxess for several years now, so I’m familiar with all of the tools that are available on the platform. One tool I find particularly useful is the market data monitoring system because it allows me to track changes in price over time. This can help me identify issues like sudden spikes or dips in prices, which could indicate an issue with the platform.”

12. Tell me about your education.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your background and how it relates to the position. If you have a degree in finance or business, they may want to know what classes you took that helped prepare you for working at MarketAxess. You can also talk about any relevant certifications you have.

Example: “I graduated from the University of California with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. While I was there, I focused on my major while taking several finance-related courses. For example, I learned about financial modeling and analysis in my introductory economics class. In my senior year, I completed an internship at a local bank where I gained experience analyzing data and creating reports.”

13. What skills should every intern possess?

This question is a great way to assess an applicant’s understanding of the internship program and what they hope to gain from it. You can also use this opportunity to explain any expectations you have for interns, such as how often they should be in the office or their availability during business hours.

Example: “Every intern at MarketAxess should possess strong communication skills, both written and verbal. They should also be highly organized and detail-oriented because we work with large amounts of data every day. I expect my interns to arrive on time and ready to work each morning, and I encourage them to take advantage of our training opportunities so that they can learn new skills.”

14. What kind of projects are you interested in working on during your internship?

MarketAxess is looking for interns who are eager to learn and take on new challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific project you would like to work on or an area of the business that interests you.

Example: “I am interested in learning more about MarketAxess’s fixed-income trading platform. I have experience working with similar software before, so I think I could help improve your current system by identifying areas where improvements can be made. Another area I’m interested in is MarketAxess’s compliance department. I’ve always been interested in how financial institutions ensure they’re following all regulations.”

15. What type of programming languages do you know?

MarketAxess uses a variety of programming languages to create its trading platform. The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have the necessary skills to work in their organization. If you are not familiar with any programming languages, consider mentioning other technical skills that can help you succeed in your role.

Example: “I am proficient in Java and C++. I also understand HTML and CSS, although I’m not as experienced with them. I would be happy to learn new programming languages or technologies if they could benefit my performance.”

16. Are you familiar with SQL?

SQL is a database language that MarketAxess uses to store and manage data. Your answer should show the interviewer that you have experience with SQL or another similar database language. If you don’t have direct experience, you can explain your ability to learn new languages quickly.

Example: “I am familiar with SQL, although I haven’t used it in my previous roles. However, I am confident that I could pick up any new language within a few weeks of training. In fact, I took an introductory course on SQL last year and found it quite easy to understand. I would be happy to take additional courses if needed.”

17. Tell me about a project you are proud of, what was your contribution?

MarketAxess wants to know about your past successes and how you contributed to them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the project, what you did and why you are proud of your work.

Example: “I am proud of my most recent accomplishment at my previous employer where I helped create a new system that streamlined our company’s bond trading process. This allowed us to reduce costs while increasing revenue by 10%. It was a challenging project, but I’m happy with the results.”

18. Can you describe a recent data analysis project you’ve worked on?

MarketAxess is looking for candidates who have experience with data analysis and can use their skills to help the company achieve its goals. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your analytical skills and how they helped you complete a project successfully.

Example: “In my last role as an IT analyst, I worked on several projects that involved analyzing large amounts of data. One example was when we were tasked with finding ways to reduce our energy costs by 20%. Using data analytics software, I was able to find patterns in our energy usage and implement changes that reduced our monthly expenses.”

19. I see here that you don’t have much experience in this field, why do you want to change careers?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your background and why you’re interested in working at MarketAxess. If you don’t have much experience, it’s important to highlight any transferable skills that can help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about finance, but I never had the opportunity to work in this field until now. I’m excited to use my communication skills and problem-solving abilities to support MarketAxess as they continue to grow.”