15 Personal Finance Interview Questions and Answers

Personal finance is a critical life skill that everyone should learn. Yet, many people graduate from high school or college without ever taking a personal finance course. As a result, they are ill-prepared to make sound financial decisions when they enter the real world.

One way to help fill this gap is to ask personal finance questions in job interviews. By doing so, you can screen candidates for their financial knowledge and literacy. In this article, we will share 20 personal finance interview questions that you can use to assess a job candidate’s financial knowledge.

1. What is the best way to teach personal finance skills?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn about your teaching skills and how you would approach educating others on personal finance. When answering, consider what methods have worked for you in the past and explain why they were effective.

Example: “I think it’s important to teach people about personal finance at a young age so that they can develop good habits early. I volunteered as a financial literacy teacher at my local high school where I taught students basic budgeting skills and how to create a savings plan. The students really enjoyed the class and learned valuable information that will help them throughout their lives.”

2. Can you explain what financial literacy means in general?

Employers may ask this question to see if you understand the importance of financial literacy and how it can help people make better decisions with their money. When answering, try to explain what financial literacy is and why it’s important for everyone to have a basic understanding of personal finance.

Example: “Financial literacy means having an understanding of all aspects of personal finance. It includes knowing how to budget your money, invest in stocks or other assets and manage debt. Having financial literacy helps people make smart decisions about their money so they don’t end up spending more than they earn or taking on too much debt. I think that everyone should strive to be financially literate because it can help them achieve their goals and live happier lives.”

3. Why is it important for children to learn about money management at a young age?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your personal finance knowledge and how you apply it in the real world. They want to know that you understand the importance of teaching children about money management at a young age, so they can develop good financial habits for their future. In your answer, explain why you think it’s important to teach kids about money management and what skills you would focus on when doing so.

Example: “I believe it’s extremely important to start teaching kids about money management at a young age because it helps them learn valuable lessons about saving and spending before they have access to their own money. I would focus my lesson on basic math skills, like counting change and adding up bills, as well as budgeting and goal-setting. These are all essential skills that help kids develop healthy financial habits.”

4. How do you think we can improve the state of personal finance in America today?

This question can help an interviewer get a better sense of your personal finance knowledge and how you might apply it to the workplace. Use examples from your own experience or research to explain what you think could improve financial literacy in America.

Example: “I believe that we need more education about personal finance at younger ages, especially when students are learning math and other subjects. I also think there should be more opportunities for adults to learn about personal finance, whether through community centers or online resources. We need to make sure people have access to information so they can make smart decisions with their money.”

5. What are some ways to check your credit score on a regular basis?

Checking your credit score is an important part of personal finance. Employers may ask this question to make sure you know how to check your credit score and keep track of it over time. In your answer, explain that you can check your credit score for free through a variety of websites. You can also talk about the importance of checking your credit score regularly so you can monitor any changes or errors.

Example: “I recommend checking your credit score at least once per year. There are many websites where you can do this for free, including Credit Karma and AnnualCreditReport.com. Checking your credit score on a regular basis allows you to stay aware of any changes or mistakes. This helps you take action if there’s ever an issue with your credit.”

6. What are some common strategies that individuals use when investing in stocks and bonds?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of personal finance and how you apply it to investments. Use examples from your experience that show your ability to analyze risk, make decisions and manage time effectively.

Example: “When investing in stocks, I look for companies with a history of steady growth and profitability. For bonds, I prefer those with low interest rates but high credit ratings. These strategies allow me to invest my money wisely while still earning returns on my investment.”

7. What are some ways you would recommend using to achieve financial freedom?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of personal finance and how you can help others achieve financial freedom. When answering this question, it’s important to provide specific examples that highlight your expertise in the field.

Example: “I would recommend starting with an emergency fund. Having money saved for emergencies or unexpected expenses is one of the most important things you can do when trying to reach financial freedom. I also think it’s important to start saving early on so you have more time to build up your savings. Another thing I would recommend is automating your finances so you don’t have to worry about remembering to save each month. This will ensure you’re always putting aside money for your future.”

8. What kind of investment options do you know of?

This question is a great way to see how much the candidate knows about personal finance. It’s important that you know what kind of investment options are available, but it’s also important that you can explain them in an easy-to-understand way. If you’re interviewing for a customer service position, this is especially important because you’ll be answering questions from customers who may not understand financial terms.

Example: “I’m aware of stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Stocks are shares of ownership in a company, which means if the company does well, you do well. Bonds are loans made by companies or governments to raise money. They pay interest over time, so they’re a good option for people looking for steady returns. Mutual funds are a collection of investments that work together to create a portfolio.”

9. Why do so many people fail at retirement planning?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of personal finance and how you can help others succeed. Your answer should include the reasons why people fail at retirement planning, as well as steps you take to ensure clients don’t make the same mistakes.

Example: “Many people fail at retirement planning because they don’t start saving early enough in their lives. They also don’t have a plan for what they will do with their money once they retire. I encourage my clients to start saving for retirement when they are young so that they can build up a large sum of money by the time they reach retirement age. I also help them create a budget for their spending habits so they know exactly where their money goes.”

10. What’s the difference between saving and investing?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of personal finance. It’s important for employees in this role to understand the difference between saving and investing, as they may need to help clients make these decisions. Your answer should include two definitions and an example of each.

Example: “Saving is putting money away for future use. You’re not expecting any return on investment when you save. Investing is putting money into something with the expectation that it will grow over time. For example, if I put $100 into a savings account at my bank, I’m just saving that money. If I buy shares in a company through a brokerage firm, I’m investing because I expect to see returns.”

11. What are the main factors that affect an individual’s income?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of personal finance. It allows you to show the interviewer that you understand how income works and can apply this information in real-life situations. When answering, try to include as many factors as possible while also explaining why they affect an individual’s income.

Example: “There are several main factors that affect an individual’s income. The first factor is education, which has been proven to be one of the most important factors when it comes to earning more money. Another factor is experience, which is another crucial aspect for increasing income. Finally, there are external factors like location and gender.”

12. What is compound interest and how does it work?

This question tests your knowledge of compound interest, a key concept in personal finance. It also shows the interviewer how you apply that knowledge to real-world situations. To answer this question, define compound interest and explain how it works.

Example: “Compound interest is when you earn interest on both the principal amount and the accumulated interest. For example, if I invest $1,000 at 5% annual interest for one year, my total investment will be $1,050. If I leave that money invested for another year at the same rate of interest, my investment will grow to $1,105.50 because I earned interest on the original $1,000 as well as the $50 in interest from the first year.”

13. What is tax evasion and how does it differ from tax avoidance?

Tax evasion and tax avoidance are both important concepts for personal finance professionals to understand. Your answer should show the interviewer that you know how to avoid committing tax evasion, which is illegal, and how to use tax avoidance strategies legally.

Example: “Tax evasion is when a person or business intentionally does not report income or expenses in order to pay less taxes than they owe. Tax avoidance, on the other hand, is when someone uses legal methods to reduce their tax liability. For example, if I have $10,000 of taxable income but I invest it in an IRA account, then I am avoiding paying taxes on that money.”

14. What are some methods used by companies to calculate executive bonuses?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of personal finance skills in the workplace. It’s important for employers to know that you can calculate bonuses and other financial incentives for their employees, so they may ask this question to see how well you understand these processes. In your answer, explain what methods companies use to calculate executive bonuses and why those methods are beneficial.

Example: “Companies typically calculate executive bonuses by using performance-based metrics. This means that executives receive larger bonuses if they meet or exceed company goals. Some companies also use seniority as a factor when calculating bonuses because it helps ensure that long-time employees continue to earn higher salaries.”

15. What is the difference between fixed and variable costs?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of personal finance. It also shows the interviewer that you can apply what you know about personal finance to real-life situations. In your answer, try to give an example of when you encountered this situation in your life and how you handled it.

Example: “Fixed costs are expenses that remain constant regardless of whether or not you use them. For instance, my fixed cost for rent was $1,000 per month no matter if I used all of my utilities or none at all. Variable costs are those that change depending on usage. For example, my variable utility bill would be higher if I turned on more lights or ran appliances than if I left everything off.”