20 NISA Investment Advisors, LLC Interview Questions and Answers

NISA Investment Advisors, LLC is a privately held investment management firm providing services to institutions and high net worth individuals. NISA was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.

NISA has a reputation for being a great place to work, so the interview process is very competitive. If you’re lucky enough to score an interview with NISA, you can expect to be asked a range of questions about your experience, qualifications, and goals.

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

NISA Investment Advisors, LLC Interview Process

The interview process at NISA Investment Advisors, LLC can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two rounds of interviews, a phone screen and an in-person interview. For some positions, like the Intern role, you may only have a phone interview. The difficulty of the questions asked also varies depending on the role, with more technical roles requiring more difficult questions. Overall, the interview process is relatively quick, with most candidates receiving an offer within a week or two of their final interview.

1. How would you describe your leadership style?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would lead your team if hired. Your leadership style is a reflection of your management skills, so it’s important to be honest about what type of leader you are and how that could benefit NISA Investment Advisors, LLC.

Example: “I believe in being an approachable leader who encourages my team members to ask questions and voice their opinions. I think this kind of open-door policy helps employees feel comfortable enough to share ideas or concerns with me. As a result, I’ve found that my team members are more productive when they’re able to communicate openly with me.”

2. What are some of the challenges that NISA Investment Advisors, LLC will face in the next 5 years?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to anticipate challenges and develop strategies to overcome them. Your answer should include two or three specific challenges that you would face as an NISA Investment Advisors, LLC employee and how you would address each one.

Example: “One of the biggest challenges I see facing NISA Investment Advisors, LLC in the next five years is maintaining client satisfaction while also meeting regulatory requirements. To do this, I would implement a customer service training program for all employees so they can learn how to better serve clients and provide excellent customer service. I would also create a system where clients could submit feedback about their experience with the company so we can continue to improve our services.”

3. If a client was unhappy with their investment strategy, how would you handle it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and criticism. It’s important to show that you’re willing to take responsibility for your actions, apologize when necessary and learn from the situation.

Example: “If a client was unhappy with their investment strategy, I would first ask them what they didn’t like about it. If there were any changes I could make to improve their experience, I would do so immediately. If not, I would explain why I made the decisions I did and offer to meet with them again in six months to review their portfolio.”

4. What is the difference between a fixed income and an equity security?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the different types of securities. You can answer this question by defining each type and explaining how they differ from one another.

Example: “Fixed income securities are debt instruments that pay interest, such as bonds. Equity securities are ownership shares in companies or other entities. The main difference between these two types of securities is that fixed income securities offer a set rate of return while equity securities have no guaranteed return.”

5. Describe your experience working with derivatives.

NISA Investment Advisors, LLC works with derivatives in their investment strategies. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with these types of investments and how you might apply that knowledge to the role. Use your answer to highlight any relevant skills or experiences you have with derivatives.

Example: “I’ve worked with derivatives before as part of my previous job where I helped clients create a portfolio based on their risk tolerance. Derivatives are financial instruments that allow investors to make bets on the price of an asset without actually owning it. For example, I had a client who wanted to invest in gold but didn’t want to spend thousands of dollars for a single ounce. Instead, they used futures contracts to bet on the price of gold going up.”

6. Can you explain the purpose of a derivative to me?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of financial terms and concepts. It’s important that you thoroughly understand the purpose of derivatives, as they are an integral part of investment advising. In your answer, try to define what a derivative is and how it can be used in investing.

Example: “A derivative is a contract between two parties that specifies the price at which one party will buy or sell an asset from another party. Derivatives allow investors to hedge their risk by allowing them to trade assets without actually owning them. For example, if I wanted to invest in Apple stock but was worried about its volatility, I could enter into a futures contract with someone who owns Apple stock. This would allow me to profit from the increase in value of Apple stock while limiting my downside.”

7. Do you have any experience analyzing financial statements?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience with a specific type of financial analysis. If you do, share your previous experience and how it helped you complete your job duties. If you don’t have any experience analyzing financial statements, you can talk about other types of financial analyses you’ve completed in the past.

Example: “In my last role as an investment advisor, I was responsible for reviewing company financial statements to ensure they were accurate. This process included comparing the balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement to make sure there weren’t any discrepancies. I also used this information to create reports that showed clients their current investments and performance.”

8. What were some of your achievements as an intern at NISA Investment Advisors, LLC?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what kind of work ethic you have. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight your most recent achievements or those that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Example: “I recently completed my internship at NISA Investment Advisors, LLC, where I learned a lot about investment strategies and how to manage client accounts. One achievement I’m proud of is when I helped one of our clients find an alternative way to invest their money after they lost some of it in the stock market. They were very happy with my advice and thanked me for helping them make smart financial decisions.”

9. Tell us about a time when you had to make decisions about a process without consulting your direct manager.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions independently and how you collaborate with your team. Use examples from your experience to explain how you made a decision without consulting your manager, but also how you communicated that decision to them afterward.

Example: “In my previous role as an investment advisor, I had to decide whether or not to recommend a client purchase a particular stock. The company was having financial issues at the time, so I decided to do some research on my own before discussing it with my manager. After researching the company’s financials, I determined that the stock would be a good long-term investment for the client. I discussed my reasoning with my manager, who agreed with my assessment.”

10. Explain why a firm might use leverage to increase its return on equity.

Leverage is a financial term that refers to the use of borrowed money to increase returns. This question helps an interviewer assess your knowledge of leverage and how it can be used in investment strategies. In your answer, explain what leverage is and why you might use it in your work as an NISA investment advisor.

Example: “Leverage is when a firm uses debt to invest in assets or securities with the goal of increasing its return on equity. For example, if I were working at a bank, I could use leverage by borrowing money from depositors and investing that money into stocks or bonds. If those investments are successful, then the bank will have more money than it started with, which means it has increased its return on equity.”

11. Why do you want to work at NISA Investment Advisors, LLC?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about the company that attracted you to apply in the first place.

Example: “I applied for this position because I was impressed with NISA Investment Advisors, LLC’s commitment to client satisfaction. In my last role as an investment advisor, I had a client who was very happy with my work, which made me feel like I could do even more for them. I want to continue working at a company where clients are happy and advisors are supported.”

12. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you helped a customer in an unexpected way or went above and beyond what was expected of you.

Example: “When I worked at my previous company, we had a client who wanted to invest in some stocks but didn’t know where to start. Instead of just recommending a few companies, I spent two hours researching different types of stocks and explaining how they work. The client ended up investing in five different stocks, which led to them making more money than if they had only invested in one.”

13. You will be required to analyze large amounts of data. Are you comfortable analyzing data or numbers?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you are comfortable with data analysis and can use the tools necessary for this role. If you have experience analyzing large amounts of data, share a specific example of how you did it.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with numbers and data. In my last position as an investment advisor, I was responsible for monitoring all client accounts and making sure they were in compliance with company policies. This required me to analyze large amounts of data on a daily basis. I used software to monitor account balances and transactions, which helped me stay organized.”

14. What are your short term & long term career goals?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your career aspirations and how they align with those of NISA Investment Advisors, LLC. Your answer should include what you hope to achieve in the next few years as well as what you hope to accomplish over the course of your career.

Example: “My short-term goal is to become an investment advisor at a firm like yours. I am currently working toward my CFA certification, which will allow me to work on more complex investments. In five years, I would love to be managing a portfolio for clients who are looking for long-term growth.”

15. What is your experience with handling money and operating a cash register?

This question is a good way to assess your experience with handling money and operating cash registers. It can also help the interviewer determine if you have any previous work experience that relates to this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention how you handled money or operated a cash register in past roles.

Example: “In my last position as an investment advisor at XYZ Financial Group, I was responsible for managing client accounts and helping them make smart financial decisions. In addition to this, I had some experience working as a cashier at a local grocery store when I was in high school. This helped me learn more about customer service and interacting with people.”

16. Which shift are you available to work?

NISA Investment Advisors, LLC has three shifts: day, evening and night. The interviewer may ask this question to determine which shift you are available for. They want to make sure that the candidate is a good fit for their company culture. In your answer, be honest about which shift you would prefer. Explain why it fits your lifestyle or personality.

Example: “I am available to work any of the three shifts. I have worked all three in previous positions, so I feel comfortable with any of them. However, if I had to choose one, I would say the evening shift. This is because I find it easier to balance my personal life when I’m not working late at night.”

17. 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 any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for this type of environment.

Example: “I have worked in investment analysis for five years now, so I am very familiar with working independently. In my current position, I often complete tasks without much guidance from my manager. This has helped me develop my problem-solving skills and learn how to manage projects on my own. I think I would be a great fit for this type of environment because I enjoy having more freedom in my work.”

18. What are some examples of analytical tools that we can use?

NISA Investment Advisors, LLC, may ask this question to see if you have experience using analytical tools. You can answer this question by listing the types of analytical tools that you’ve used in your previous roles and what they’re useful for.

Example: “Some examples of analytical tools include financial modeling software, data mining software, business intelligence software and predictive analytics software. I’ve used all of these tools throughout my career, but I find that financial modeling software is one of the most useful because it allows me to create a model of an investment portfolio based on specific criteria. This helps me determine how much money I should invest in certain assets.”

19. Have you worked in a global operations setting before?

NISA Investment Advisors, LLC is a global company that offers investment advice to clients in the United States and abroad. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with international teams. If you have worked internationally before, share some of your experiences. If you haven’t, explain what you would do if faced with an international client or team member.

Example: “I’ve never worked for a global company before, but I am excited by the opportunity to work with people from around the world. In my current role as an investment advisor, I often speak with clients who are looking for financial guidance outside of the United States. I enjoy learning about their cultures and customs and helping them find solutions to their financial problems.”

20. Describe your experience with preparing and handling food.

Preparing and handling food is an important part of the NISA investment advisor position. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with cooking, cleaning and other kitchen duties. Use your answer to describe any previous experience you have in these areas. If you don’t have any professional experience, consider sharing some personal anecdotes that relate to the question.

Example: “I’ve worked as a line cook at a local restaurant for five years now. I started out washing dishes but quickly moved up to preparing meals. Now I’m responsible for making sure all orders are correct and ready to serve. I also handle most of the cleanup after each meal service.”