20 MSCI Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And if you’re hoping to land a job at MSCI, a global provider of investment decision support tools, you’ll want to be prepared to answer some specific questions about the company.

In this article, we’ll give you an overview of MSCI and some sample interview questions that you may be asked during the interview process. With a little preparation, you’ll be one step closer to landing your dream job at MSCI.

MSCI Interview Process

The interview process at MSCI can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, it generally consists of 4 rounds: an initial HR screening, a technical round with the hiring manager, a deep dive technical round with another manager, and a final discussion with the lead or head of the department. The entire process usually takes around 1 month.

1. What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful analyst?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for this role. You can answer by listing several qualities, explaining what they mean and giving examples of how you’ve demonstrated them in your past roles.

Example: “I think a successful analyst needs to be highly organized, detail-oriented and able to work independently. I’m very organized, which helps me stay on top of my projects and meet deadlines. In my last position, I was given a large project with tight deadlines, and I managed to complete it ahead of schedule. My attention to detail also helped me find errors in my data analysis that could have otherwise gone unnoticed.”

2. MSCI is a global company that emphasizes innovation and diversity. What do you find attractive about this type of work environment?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a good fit for their company culture. You can emphasize your interest in working with people from different backgrounds and cultures, as well as your desire to be part of a growing organization.

Example: “I find it exciting to work for a global company like MSCI because I enjoy learning about new cultures and meeting new people. In my last job, I worked with colleagues who were from all over the world, which was very interesting. I also think it’s important to work for a company that values diversity and innovation, so I’m excited to learn more about what makes MSCI unique.”

3. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an upset client. How did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you would react in a challenging situation and whether or not you have the necessary communication skills to resolve it.

Example: “I once had a client who was upset because they lost money on an investment I recommended. However, I explained that there are no guarantees when investing and that sometimes things don’t go as planned. The client understood my response and decided to continue working with me.”

4. Describe your experience working in large teams.

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to collaborate with others and work toward a common goal. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you worked in a large team setting and how you contributed to the success of that project or company.

Example: “In my current role as a financial analyst at XYZ Financial Group, I am part of a larger team of analysts who all have different skill sets. We meet once per week to discuss our progress on projects and share ideas for new ways to approach challenges we’re facing. This collaboration has helped me learn from other members of the team and develop my own skills.”

5. In your opinion, what needs to be done to make financial markets more ethical?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the financial markets and how they operate. It also shows that you are aware of ethical issues in the industry, which can be important for employers who want their employees to act ethically.

Example: “I believe that one of the best ways to make financial markets more ethical is through transparency. If investors know exactly what’s going on with their investments, it makes it much easier to spot unethical behavior. I think regulators should do more to ensure that all investment firms provide full disclosure about their operations.”

6. Who would you say is your greatest role model or mentor?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what inspires you. It also helps them determine if your role model or mentor has any similarities with their company culture.

Example: “My greatest role model is my father, who taught me everything I know about investing. He was a stockbroker for over 30 years, so he’s seen it all when it comes to the financial world. He always encouraged me to be independent and think critically about investments. His advice helped me start my own investment portfolio at age 15.”

7. Do you have any investment banking experience?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have relevant experience for this role. If you do, be sure to describe your previous job duties and how they relate to what you would be doing in this position.

Example: “I worked as an investment banker at Smith & Jones Financial Group for three years. In my role, I helped clients find the best financial products for their needs. This included researching companies and comparing different types of investments. It also involved helping clients understand complex financial information so they could make informed decisions.”

8. What do you know about equity research?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to this role. If you have experience in equity research, share that with the interviewer. If not, explain what you know about the process and why you would be able to learn quickly if hired.

Example: “I’ve been following MSCI’s reports for years now, so I’m familiar with their methodology and the information they provide. Equity research is an important part of any investment strategy, so I think my background makes me well-suited to learning more about MSCI’s services.”

9. Describe a time where you were able to use data-driven decision making to solve a problem.

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you can use your skills and abilities to solve problems. Use examples from previous work experience or personal life where you used data-driven decision making to solve a problem.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for analyzing market trends and identifying opportunities for investment. One day, I noticed there were several stocks in the same industry experiencing similar dips in their stock prices. This led me to investigate further, which revealed that these companies had all recently announced layoffs. I immediately informed my manager of this information so we could adjust our investments accordingly.”

10. Why do you want to work at MSCI?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. It’s also an opportunity for you to show how much research you’ve done on the organization and its culture. When preparing for this question, make sure to read through MSCI’s job listings and social media accounts to get a better idea of what they’re looking for in new employees.

Example: “After reading through MSCI’s career page, I was really impressed with the company’s mission statement and values. I think that working here would be a great fit for me because it seems like there are many opportunities for growth within the organization. I’m excited to work at a place where I can use my skills to help others.”

11. How long have you been interested in finance?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s background and how they got started in their career. It can also help you determine if they have enough experience for the position. If you are interviewing someone with little or no experience, you may want to ask them what inspired them to pursue this field.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in finance since I was young. My parents were both accountants, so I grew up hearing about financial news and events. When I was in high school, I took an accounting class and really enjoyed it. After that, I knew I wanted to be an accountant.”

12. Have you ever had to present information to executive level management?

This question can help the interviewer understand your communication skills and how you present information to others. Use examples from previous work experiences where you had to give a presentation or talk about your findings in front of senior management.

Example: “In my last position, I was tasked with presenting our company’s financials to the board of directors every quarter. This included providing them with an overview of our current performance, as well as projections for future growth. I found that this helped me develop my public speaking skills and learn more about the business.”

13. What would you say is your biggest weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Employers want to know that you are aware of your weaknesses and actively working on them. When answering this question, try to identify a weakness that you have been able to improve upon or work around.

Example: “My biggest weakness is my attention to detail. I am always looking for ways to improve my organizational skills, so I started using an app called Trello to keep track of projects and tasks. This has helped me stay organized and more efficient.”

14. How do you keep up with current events in the financial industry?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you are actively engaged in the financial industry. They want to know that you have a passion for your career and stay up-to-date on current events. In your answer, share how you keep up with news and information about the financial industry. You can also mention any specific resources or publications you use to learn more about the industry.

Example: “I am passionate about my career and always looking for ways to improve myself as an investment analyst. I subscribe to several financial publications and newsletters so I can read articles and learn from other professionals. I also follow many financial experts on social media to get their opinions on recent developments.”

15. If hired, what areas of the business would you like to get involved in first?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you are eager to get started and want to make an impact right away. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of the skills or experience you have that would help you succeed in those areas.

Example: “I am excited to start working with clients and helping them achieve their investment goals. I think my previous customer service experience will help me excel at this role because I understand what it’s like to work with customers who may not always be happy. I also look forward to learning more about the financial industry and how MSCI helps its clients.”

16. What tools do you use to analyze data?

This question can help the interviewer understand your technical skills and how you apply them to your work. Use examples of software or applications that you’ve used in previous roles, and explain what you like about each tool.

Example: “I use Microsoft Excel for most of my data analysis because it’s a simple program with many functions that I find useful when analyzing large amounts of financial information. For example, at my last job, I was tasked with creating an investment portfolio based on specific criteria. Using Excel, I created a spreadsheet where I could input different variables, such as risk tolerance and return expectations, and then automatically generated a list of potential investments.”

17. Give an example of a time when you had to meet tight deadlines under pressure.

This question is a great way to assess your time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the specific deadline you were working toward and how you managed your time to complete all of your work on time.

Example: “In my last role as an analyst at MSCI, I was tasked with creating a report that would help our clients make informed decisions about their investments. The client needed the information in the report by the end of the week, which meant I had to work quickly to gather data and create graphs and charts for the report. I stayed late every night that week to ensure I met the deadline.”

18. Are you comfortable with public speaking?

This question is a common one in the finance industry because you may be required to give presentations or speeches at work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you gave a presentation or speech and how you prepared for it.

Example: “I have given several public speeches throughout my career, including two major presentations I made during my undergraduate studies. In both cases, I was nervous about speaking in front of large groups but learned that if I practiced enough, I would feel more comfortable. Now, I am much more confident when presenting information to others.”

19. Would you consider yourself a leader? Why or why not?

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership skills and how you would interact with other members of their team. When answering, it can be helpful to highlight a time when you were in charge of a project or group and the positive results that came from it.

Example: “I consider myself a leader because I have always been someone who is willing to take on more responsibility than what was expected of me. In my last position as an analyst, I helped lead a project where we had to find ways to cut costs for our company. We ended up finding several areas where we could save money, which led to a 5% increase in revenue.”

20. How would you rank our products compared to other companies in the same market space?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its products. It also allows you to show off your critical thinking skills, as you must compare two or more things at once. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about how you feel about the company’s products compared to others in the same market space.

Example: “I think MSCI has some of the best products on the market for investment decision support tools. I’ve used their products before, and they are very user-friendly and easy to understand. They have a lot of information that can help me make better decisions when investing.”