20 Pershing Interview Questions and Answers

Pershing is a global financial services firm that provides investment, technology, and operations solutions to clients in the asset management and securities industries. With over $2 trillion in assets under administration, Pershing is one of the largest providers of financial services in the world.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Pershing, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, qualifications, and skills. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample Pershing interview questions and answers.

Pershing Interview Process

The interview process at Pershing can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone interview and one in-person interview. For some positions, there may be multiple rounds of interviews. The difficulty of the interviews will also vary depending on the position. Overall, the interview process is fairly standard and should not be too difficult for most applicants.

1. Why do you want to work for Pershing?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interest in their company. They want to know what attracted you to the job and whether you have done any research on the organization. Before your interview, read through the job description and familiarize yourself with the company’s values and goals. Use these details to explain why you are excited to work for Pershing.

Example: “I am very interested in working for a company that is committed to ethical practices. I did some research online and found that Pershing has an excellent reputation when it comes to upholding its customers’ privacy. I also noticed that the company offers many opportunities for professional development. These two things make me eager to join the team.”

2. What is your experience with the financial services industry?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and experience. If you have no prior experience, it’s okay to explain that in your answer. However, if you do have some experience, be sure to highlight what you learned from the role.

Example: “I’ve worked as an accountant at my current company for five years now. I started out as an entry-level employee but quickly moved up through the ranks due to my hard work and dedication. My previous employer taught me how important it is to stay organized and on top of deadlines. It also helped me understand the importance of customer service.”

3. How would you describe yourself as a leader?

This question is a great way to see how you view yourself as a leader. It also allows the interviewer to get an idea of your leadership style and what makes you effective in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to think about specific situations where you have demonstrated these qualities.

Example: “I would describe myself as someone who is highly organized and detail-oriented. I am always looking for ways to improve processes and make sure that everyone on my team has everything they need to do their job well. I believe that communication is key when leading a team, so I try to make sure everyone knows what’s expected of them and how they can reach out to me with questions or concerns.”

4. Give an example of a time when you had to make an important decision without consulting anyone else, how did it turn out?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can make decisions on your own. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the steps you took to make the decision and what the outcome was.

Example: “When I first started working at my current company, there were some issues with our website that needed to be fixed immediately. The problem was that we didn’t have anyone who could fix the issue right away. So, I called up one of our developers and asked them if they would come in early to help us out. They agreed, and together we figured out the best solution for the website.”

5. Tell us about a time where you were able to reduce costs in the workplace.

This question is a great way to show your ability to be innovative and creative. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you reduced costs while maintaining quality or service levels.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that we were ordering too many supplies for our office. This was causing us to spend more money than necessary on supplies. So, I started looking at the supplies we had in stock and compared them to what we ordered. After doing some research, I found out that we were ordering supplies before they ran out. So, I talked with my manager about changing our ordering system so we would only order when supplies were low. This change saved the company thousands of dollars each year.”

6. Do you have any experience working with financial data?

This question is a great way to determine if you have the necessary skills for this role. If you don’t, it’s important to explain what experience you do have and how it relates to working with financial data.

Example: “I’ve worked in accounting for over five years now, so I’m very familiar with financial data. In my current position, I work with multiple software programs that help me manage our company’s finances. I also use these programs to create reports for upper management on a regular basis. These reports include information about revenue, expenses and other metrics.”

7. Describe your experience using Microsoft Excel.

Excel is a common tool used in finance and accounting. Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have experience using the program, as well as how comfortable you are with it. If you don’t have much experience using Excel, consider describing your comfort level with other Microsoft programs like Word or PowerPoint.

Example: “I’ve been using Excel for about five years now. I started out using it at my previous job where we had to use it to track our sales numbers. Now, I use it regularly to create budgets and analyze data. I find that Excel is an easy-to-use program that allows me to complete tasks quickly.”

8. If hired, what can you bring to this position that other candidates cannot?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your skills and abilities. They want to know what makes you unique as a candidate. When answering, think of something that sets you apart from other candidates. It can be an experience or skill that is relevant to the position.

Example: “I have extensive knowledge of the financial industry. I worked for three years at a large bank before moving to my current role. While working there, I learned how to manage budgets and create reports. These are valuable skills that I can use in this position. In addition, I am familiar with many different software programs used by banks. This will help me get up to speed quickly.”

9. Tell me about your most recent project and what your role was in its success.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are capable of taking on responsibility and working independently. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight the skills you used in completing the project and how they helped you succeed.

Example: “My most recent project was creating an online marketing campaign for my company’s new product launch. I worked with our social media team to create content that would reach our target audience and increase brand awareness. We also created several advertisements that were published on popular websites. The campaign was successful because we reached thousands of people who were interested in learning more about our product.”

10. Can you give me an example of a time when you had to deal with conflict in the workplace?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle interpersonal conflicts and challenges. Use examples from your previous experience to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and conflict resolution strategies.

Example: “In my last position as a financial analyst, I had two coworkers who were constantly arguing about their work responsibilities. This caused them to become distracted during meetings and slowed down our progress on projects. After talking with both employees separately, I learned that one of them was feeling overwhelmed by her workload and wanted more support from her colleague. The other employee agreed to take on some additional tasks so his coworker could feel less stressed.”

11. What is your leadership style?

This question is a great way to see how you would fit into the company culture. When answering, it can be helpful to describe your leadership style and then explain why you use that style. This can help employers understand what kind of leader you are and if you will fit in with their team.

Example: “I am an extremely empathetic person, so I believe my leadership style is more democratic than authoritarian. I like to make sure everyone on the team feels heard and valued. I also think it’s important for employees to feel comfortable asking questions or expressing concerns. In my last role, I had a team member who was struggling with a project. Instead of just assigning them extra work, I pulled them aside and asked them about their progress. They ended up telling me they were overwhelmed by the amount of work they had. After talking through their feelings, we came up with a solution where they could complete the project at their own pace.”

12. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be prepared with an answer. Employers ask this question because they want to know what your strengths are as well as how you can improve yourself. When answering this question, try to focus on the positive aspects of yourself while also acknowledging any weaknesses that you’re actively working on improving.

Example: “I would say my biggest strength is my ability to work under pressure. I’ve always been someone who thrives when there’s a lot going on, so I’m comfortable taking on multiple projects at once. However, I do understand that sometimes I get overwhelmed by all of the tasks I have to complete. To combat this, I make sure to prioritize my tasks each day and set aside time for breaks throughout the day.”

13. What is your experience with managing teams?

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership skills and how you interact with others. Use examples from previous jobs to explain what made you a good leader, including any specific strategies or techniques that helped you manage teams effectively.

Example: “In my last position as an account manager for a marketing agency, I was responsible for managing a team of five other account managers. My strategy for leading this team was to be approachable and available to answer questions and provide guidance when needed. I also encouraged collaboration among my team members by encouraging them to share their ideas and opinions during meetings and client calls. This strategy helped me create a positive work environment where everyone felt comfortable sharing their thoughts.”

14. Have you ever worked on a team where someone wasn’t pulling their weight? How did you handle it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and your ability to work with others. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where someone wasn’t pulling their weight and what you did about it.

Example: “I once worked on a team of five people who were all responsible for different aspects of the same project. One person was consistently late in turning in their part of the project, which caused delays in our progress. I approached them privately and asked if there was anything we could do to help them get their portion of the project done more quickly. They said they would try to stay ahead of the project so that wouldn’t happen again.”

15. What is your greatest accomplishment at work?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential employer and how they view success. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of an accomplishment that relates to the job you’re applying for.

Example: “My greatest professional accomplishment was when I helped my previous company increase their sales by 20% in one year. This was a challenging goal, but we were able to meet it through our team’s hard work and dedication. It felt amazing to see all of our efforts pay off.”

16. What is your management philosophy?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have a strong management philosophy and how it can benefit the company. Your answer should include what makes you a good manager, such as communication skills, delegation skills or time-management skills.

Example: “I believe in being a hands-on manager who knows when to delegate tasks to my team members. I am always available for questions and feedback, but I also know when to let my employees work independently. I think this balance of independence and support helps my employees feel comfortable asking me questions and provides them with the freedom they need to succeed.”

17. Tell me about a time when you had a low-performing employee, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and challenges. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and leadership qualities.

Example: “I once had an employee who was consistently late for work. I spoke with him about it several times but he didn’t change his behavior. Eventually, I decided to have a meeting with him where I outlined all of his responsibilities at work and explained that if he continued to be late, he would lose his job. He understood my concerns and promised to arrive on time from then on. After a few weeks, he arrived early every day.”

18. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often asked to see if you have career goals. It can also be used to determine how long you plan on staying with the company. When answering this question, make sure you are honest about your plans for the future. If you don’t know what you want to do in five years, try to think of something that will happen within that time frame.

Example: “In five years, I hope to still be working at Pershing. I would like to continue my education and get my master’s degree in business administration. I would also like to become a manager or director by then.”

19. If we were to hire you today, what would be your first action item?

This question is a great way to see how the candidate plans their work and what they consider important. It also gives you an idea of what skills they have developed over time. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about your own first action item if you are familiar with the role.

Example: “If I were hired today, my first action would be to learn more about the company culture and values. I believe that understanding these things will help me fit in better and make sure I am doing everything I can to support the team.”

20. Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your manager, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and disagreements. It can also show them how you work with others, as well as your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific situation where you disagreed with your manager but were able to resolve the issue in a positive way.

Example: “When I first started working at my current company, I had an idea for a new marketing campaign that I thought would increase sales. My manager told me they already had a plan in place for our next advertising campaign, so we should wait until that one was over before starting another. I understood their reasoning, however, I still wanted to try out my idea. So, I talked to my manager about it again, and they agreed to let me test out my idea on a smaller scale. After seeing the results from my small test, my manager decided to implement my idea into our larger campaign.”