20 Northern Trust Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, every company has their own unique process. And while there are some common questions that you can expect to be asked in any interview, there will also be company specific questions that are designed to give you a better sense of whether or not you’re a good fit for the organization.

If you’re interviewing with Northern Trust, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience working with clients, your investment management knowledge, and your ability to handle complex financial data. You may also be asked about your experience with fiduciary services and your understanding of the banking industry.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions that you may be asked, along with tips on how to answer them.

Northern Trust Interview Process

The interview process at Northern Trust can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require you to complete an assessment test followed by one or more rounds of interviews. The interviews may be conducted by your potential manager, a team lead, or another member of the Northern Trust staff. The questions asked during the interview will be based on your experience and qualifications.

1. Tell me about a time where you had to deal with an angry customer or co-worker.

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving and interpersonal skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the situation and how you handled it.

Example: “At my previous job, I had an angry customer who called me on the phone because they were upset with their investment portfolio. The customer was very loud and rude, but I remained calm and listened to what they had to say. After listening to them for a few minutes, I realized that there was nothing wrong with their account. They just wanted more money than we could give them.”

2. What is the most challenging part of working in finance?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your personality and how you might fit in with their team. It also helps them understand what skills you have that could be beneficial to Northern Trust.

Example: “The most challenging part of working in finance is when I’m trying to balance my work life with my personal life. There are times when I need to put in extra hours or take on additional projects, which means I may not always be able to spend as much time with my family as I would like. However, I’ve learned to use some strategies to help me manage this.”

3. What aspects of your previous experience do you think would be beneficial at Northern Trust?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done your research on Northern Trust and are excited about the possibility of working there. Use this question as a chance to highlight some of Northern Trust’s most impressive qualities, such as its reputation or any awards it has won.

Example: “I think my previous experience would be beneficial at Northern Trust because I am eager to work for a company with a strong reputation in the financial industry. In my last job, I worked hard to build relationships with clients and help them achieve their goals. I think these skills would translate well to Northern Trust, where you also value client satisfaction.”

4. Why are you interested in this position at Northern Trust?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the role and highlight how you can contribute to Northern Trust’s success. When preparing for this interview, review the job description and identify two or three skills that are most important for this position. Use these skills to explain why you’re a good fit for this role.

Example: “I am interested in this position because I believe my experience as a financial advisor would be valuable to Northern Trust. My clients have always appreciated my ability to help them understand complex financial concepts and make smart decisions about their money. In fact, many of my clients have come back to me for advice after they’ve retired because they trust my expertise.”

5. What is one thing that motivates you in your work?

Northern Trust wants to know what motivates you and how you can motivate others. Your answer should show that you are motivated by the work itself, not just a paycheck.

Example: “I am motivated by helping people achieve their financial goals. I love working with clients who want to invest for retirement or save for their child’s education. When I help them make smart decisions about their money, it makes me feel like I’m making a difference in their lives.”

6. Describe a situation where you disagreed with a manager, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and whether or not you’re able to work well with others. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you can be respectful of authority while also standing up for yourself when necessary.

Example: “I once disagreed with my manager about a project I was working on. I respectfully approached them after work hours to discuss my concerns. They listened to me carefully and explained their reasoning behind the decision. After hearing their side, I understood where they were coming from and agreed to complete the task as instructed.”

7. Do you have any expertise in financial planning and analysis?

Northern Trust is a global leader in delivering innovative investment management, asset and fund administration, fiduciary and banking services. The company’s financial planning and analysis team supports the firm’s business units by providing data-driven insights to help them make strategic decisions.

Example: “I have experience with financial planning and analysis at my current job. I use Microsoft Excel for modeling and forecasting purposes. In addition, I am familiar with several advanced functions of Excel that allow me to analyze large sets of data and create graphs and charts. I also use Tableau software to visualize data and identify trends.”

8. How would you approach a client who has requested information on a new investment opportunity?

Northern Trust wants to know how you would approach a client who is looking for information on an investment opportunity. This question helps the interviewer assess your customer service skills and ability to provide quality advice to clients. In your answer, demonstrate that you value helping customers make informed decisions about their investments.

Example: “I would first ask what they are looking for in an investment. I would then research the company or product they are interested in and find out as much information as possible about it. If there are any red flags, I would let them know so they can make an informed decision. If the investment looks promising, I would explain why I think it’s a good idea.”

9. Do you keep up with news related to the field of finance?

Northern Trust wants to know that you are aware of current events in the financial world. They want to see if you have a passion for learning about new developments and trends in the industry.

Example: “I do keep up with news related to finance, as I find it interesting to learn about what’s happening in the world of money. For example, I recently read an article about how blockchain technology is changing the way we think about digital currency. It was fascinating to learn about this new development in the field.”

10. Describe a time when you were successful at getting a large gift and what your strategy was.

This question is a great way to show your ability to work with clients and get them excited about giving money to the company. Use examples of how you worked with clients, researched their interests and presented information in a way that made it easy for them to donate.

Example: “I had a client who was interested in supporting an organization that helped children learn math through play. I did some research on organizations that were similar and found one that was looking for funding. I contacted my client and explained the situation, and they agreed to make a donation to the new organization.”

11. Are there any parts of accounting or finance that you find particularly challenging?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have any weaknesses that they can help you overcome. If you are asked this question, it’s important to be honest and explain what you’re doing to improve in the area.

Example: “I find budgeting challenging because I’m not always sure how to allocate funds for certain projects or departments. However, I’ve been working with my manager to create a more effective budgeting system that helps me understand where money is going and how we can use it most effectively.”

12. Explain how you would set up a bank account for a new client that needed both a personal and business account.

This question is a great way to show your attention to detail and organizational skills. When answering this question, make sure you include the steps you would take to ensure that all of the client’s information was accurate and organized.

Example: “I would first ask the client for their personal information, including name, address, date of birth and social security number. I would then ask them for business information, such as company name, tax identification number and bank account number. After gathering all of this information, I would open both accounts in person at the branch closest to the client.”

13. Which social media platforms do you use on a regular basis?

Social media is a popular way to connect with others and share information. Employers may ask this question to learn more about your digital skills, including how you use social media. Before your interview, think about which social media platforms you regularly use. Consider sharing the ones that are most important to you or those that relate to your career goals.

Example: “I have accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. I use these platforms for connecting with friends and family, but also for learning new things and keeping up-to-date on current events. In my last job, I used social media to find articles related to our company’s industry and share them with my coworkers.”

14. What is your favorite type of project to work on?

Northern Trust is a global leader in investment management, and your answer to this question can help the interviewer understand how you approach projects. Use examples from your experience that highlight your ability to work independently or as part of a team, solve problems and meet deadlines.

Example: “I enjoy working on large-scale projects where I have the opportunity to use my problem-solving skills and creativity. In my last role, I worked with a team of five other developers to create an online platform for managing investments. We had a tight deadline, but we were able to successfully launch the new website by our target date.”

15. Have you worked as a team leader before? How did it go?

Northern Trust wants to know if you have experience leading a team of employees. This is an important skill for any manager, and it’s one that the company values highly. When answering this question, try to highlight your leadership skills and how they helped you succeed in your previous role.

Example: “I’ve worked as a team leader before, and I find that my ability to communicate effectively with others makes me a great leader. In my last position, I was promoted to lead a team of five people. At first, I was nervous about taking on such a big responsibility, but I quickly realized that I had all the skills necessary to be a successful leader. My communication skills helped me build trust with my team members, which made them more willing to take risks and try new things.”

16. What kinds of people do you get along best with?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your personality and how you might fit in with their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some specific qualities that make these people special to you.

Example: “I’ve found that I work best with people who are hardworking, kind and empathetic. These are all important traits for me when getting along with others, so I find myself connecting with people who have those same values. For example, my friend is always willing to lend an ear or give advice when I need it. She’s also very kind and compassionate, which makes her someone I enjoy spending time with.”

17. What kind of projects do you prefer to work on?

This question can help the interviewer understand what your strengths are and how you might fit into their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific project that you enjoyed working on in the past.

Example: “I enjoy working on projects where I get to use my creativity and problem-solving skills. In my last role as an investment analyst, I worked with a team of three other analysts to create a new portfolio for our clients. We had to consider many factors when creating the portfolio, including risk tolerance, financial goals and current investments. It was challenging but rewarding to work on such a large project.”

18. What is your philosophy on approaching a new task?

Northern Trust wants to know how you approach new tasks and challenges. This question can help interviewers understand your thought process, problem-solving skills and ability to learn quickly. In your answer, try to explain what steps you take when starting a new task or project.

Example: “I believe that every new task is an opportunity for growth. When I start a new task, I first read through the entire job description so I have a clear understanding of what’s expected. Then, I create a plan for how I will complete the task by breaking it down into smaller parts. Finally, I set deadlines for each part of the task so I can stay organized.”

19. What qualities should I be looking for in a bug found in a game?

Game developers often have to fix bugs in their games. This question helps the interviewer understand your problem-solving skills and how you would approach a task like this one.

Example: “I look for bugs that are causing problems with gameplay, such as freezing or crashing. I also check for any glitches that may be affecting the game’s graphics or sound. If there is an issue with the controls, I make sure it’s fixed before moving on to other issues.”

20. Give an example of a time when you had to solve a problem that was not straightforward. How did you approach the problem?

Northern Trust wants to know that you can think critically and solve problems. This is an important skill for any role in finance, as it shows your ability to analyze data and make decisions based on the information available.

Example: “When I was working at my previous job, we had a client who wanted us to invest their money into a specific stock. However, when we looked into the company, we found out that they were involved in some questionable business practices. We told our client about this, but they insisted that we still invest in the company.

I decided to call the company directly and ask them about these allegations. They denied all of the claims, so I asked if they would be willing to provide proof of their innocence. After several weeks, they finally sent over the documents we requested. When we reviewed them, we saw that they were indeed telling the truth. We then invested the money as originally planned.”