20 Putnam Investments Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And when you’re interviewing with a specific company, it’s important to do your research and be prepared to answer questions about the company itself.

If you’re interviewing with Putnam Investments, you’re in luck. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most common questions asked in interviews for this company, along with sample answers to help you prepare for your own interview.

From questions about Putnam’s history and investment philosophy to questions about the industry and the economy, we’ve got you covered. So read on, and get ready to ace your Putnam Investments interview.

Putnam Investments Interview Process

The interview process at Putnam Investments can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screen and one in-person interview. For some positions, like the Investment Director, there may be additional rounds of interviews or a presentation. Overall, the interview process is fair and straightforward.

1. What are your long-term career goals?

Putnam is a company that values long-term employees. They want to know if you’re interested in staying with the company for many years and how your goals align with their own. When answering this question, be honest about what you hope to achieve in your career. Explain why Putnam would be an ideal place to do so.

Example: “I’m looking for a position where I can use my skills and experience to make a real difference. I’ve been working toward becoming a portfolio manager for several years now, and I think Putnam would be a great fit for me. The company has a reputation for hiring talented individuals who are eager to learn and grow.”

2. Putnam is a company that focuses on innovation and creativity, what do you think makes for a good innovative team?

Putnam is a company that values innovation and creativity, so your answer should show the interviewer you have these skills. Use examples from previous work experiences to explain how you can be innovative and creative in your approach to problem-solving.

Example: “I think it’s important for an innovative team to have people with different skill sets. For example, I worked on a project where we had to come up with new ways of marketing our products online. We had a mix of people who were good at coming up with ideas, others who could analyze data and some who were great at implementing those ideas. By having a diverse group of people, we were able to come up with several solutions.”

3. Putnam aims to hire people who believe in the same values as us: integrity, excellence, teamwork, and transparency. Do you have any experience or beliefs that demonstrate those qualities?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you share Putnam’s values and can contribute to a culture of transparency. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific examples from your past experience where you demonstrated these qualities.

Example: “I believe in being honest with clients about my investment strategies and how I am compensated for them. In my last role as a financial advisor, I had a client who was looking for a way to invest her money while also supporting companies that were environmentally friendly. She asked me if there were any funds that she could invest in that supported those types of businesses. I told her honestly that I didn’t know of any but would look into it and get back to her. After some research, I found a fund that met all of her criteria and recommended it to her.”

4. Tell me about a time when you worked well under pressure.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your ability to work under pressure and complete tasks in a timely manner. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you were able to successfully manage a project or task while working under pressure.

Example: “When I was an intern at my previous company, I had to create a presentation for the CEO on how we could improve our social media presence. The deadline was that afternoon, but I hadn’t started yet because I was waiting for some information from another department. I worked through lunch to get as much done as possible before the meeting so I could focus on any questions he might have.”

5. Tell us about a time that you had to work with someone difficult. How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenges in your work. Use examples from previous jobs to show that you have experience working with different types of people, including those who are difficult or challenging.

Example: “In my last position as a financial advisor, I had a client who was very demanding. He would call me several times a day asking for updates on his portfolio. At first, it was overwhelming, but I learned to set boundaries with him so he understood that I needed time to do my job well. Eventually, he respected my limits and stopped calling me so often.”

6. Tell us about a project you worked on where there was conflict, how did you resolve it?

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific examples of how you resolved conflict and the steps you took to do so. This can help interviewers understand your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others.

Example: “In my previous role as a financial advisor, I had two clients who were both interested in investing in the same mutual fund. One client was an experienced investor while the other was new to the process. When I spoke with the experienced investor, he expressed his interest in having more control over his investments. He wanted to invest in funds that weren’t available through our company’s platform.

I explained to him that we could offer him similar funds on our platform but would need to charge him a higher fee for doing so. He agreed to pay the additional fees and began investing in those funds. The newer investor also agreed to continue using our platform.”

7. Explain technical analysis to me.

Technical analysis is a method of analyzing financial markets by studying price and volume data. It’s used to predict the future direction of prices through indicators such as moving averages, momentum oscillators and on-balance volume.

Example: “Technical analysis involves using historical market data to make predictions about future trends. I use technical analysis when making investment decisions because it allows me to see how different factors affect the value of an asset over time. For example, if I’m considering whether or not to invest in a company, I’ll look at its past performance to determine if it has been able to consistently increase its revenue and profits.”

8. How would you go about finding new sources of revenue?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to generate new ideas. You can answer this question by describing a situation where you found new sources of revenue, or you can describe the steps you would take to find new sources of revenue if you have not done so before.

Example: “I would first look at our current clients for ways we could increase their business with us. For example, I worked at a financial institution that had many customers who were looking for help managing their retirement accounts. We offered them additional services like estate planning and tax preparation. This helped us grow our client base while also increasing our revenue.”

9. Have you ever presented data to anyone before?

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and how you can present information in a way that’s easy for others to understand. If you’ve presented data before, describe the situation and what you did. If you haven’t, explain why and talk about a time when you had to communicate complex ideas or concepts to someone else.

Example: “I have presented data to my team at work before. I was working on a project with another analyst where we were trying to determine if there was a correlation between certain stocks and their performance over a five-year period. We both worked independently to collect our own data and then met together to discuss our findings. It was helpful to be able to bounce ideas off of each other and provide feedback.”

10. How would you persuade a client to stay with Putnam if they were considering leaving?

This question can help the interviewer assess your customer service skills and ability to retain clients. Use examples from previous experience that show you understand what it takes to keep a client happy and how to maintain relationships with them.

Example: “I would first ask why they were considering leaving Putnam, and then I would try to address their concerns or find ways to improve our services so they stay with us. For example, if a client was unhappy with the level of communication we provided, I would make sure my team knew about this feedback and made an effort to communicate more frequently with all clients.”

11. What types of software programs have you used before?

Putnam Investments uses a variety of software programs to manage their clients’ portfolios. The interviewer may ask this question to make sure you have experience using the same types of programs they use at Putnam. If you don’t have any experience with these specific programs, consider mentioning other types of software that are similar in function.

Example: “I’ve used several different types of portfolio management software before, including Fidelity’s Portfolio Manager and Morningstar Advisor. I also have some experience using financial modeling software like Microsoft Excel.”

12. Have you done any financial modeling before?

This question is a great way to gauge your experience level and how you can apply it to the role. If you have no prior modeling experience, you can explain what financial modeling is and why it’s important in this industry.

Example: “I’ve never done any financial modeling before, but I understand that it’s an important part of being a successful investment manager. In my last position, I was responsible for creating reports on company performance and market trends. This helped me learn more about the different types of investments available and how they affect the overall economy.”

13. Do you know anything about mutual funds?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have some knowledge about the company’s products. If you’re applying for a position in sales, it can be especially important to know how mutual funds work and what they offer investors.

Example: “I’ve been investing in mutual funds since I was 18 years old. My parents invested in them when I was growing up, so I learned a lot from watching their investments grow over time. Mutual funds are an excellent investment tool because they allow investors to diversify their portfolios without having to do all of the research themselves. They also provide access to professional money managers who can help people get the best returns on their investments.”

14. Describe a time that you had to work with a lot of different personalities, how did you approach it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle working with a variety of people and your ability to collaborate. Use examples from previous work experiences or describe what you would do if you had to manage a group of individuals who have different personalities.

Example: “In my last role, I worked with a team of five other financial advisors. We all had our own unique styles when it came to interacting with clients, but we also shared similar goals for client satisfaction. To ensure that everyone was on the same page, I scheduled weekly meetings where we discussed any challenges we were having and ways we could improve our communication.”

15. If we hired you today, what would be your first priority at Putnam?

This question is a great way to show your enthusiasm for the position and how you plan to make an immediate impact. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you would do first if you were hired today.

Example: “If I was hired today, my first priority would be to learn as much as possible about Putnam’s current processes and systems. I believe that understanding these things will help me develop strategies for improving them in the future. After learning more about Putnam, I would start building relationships with other employees. I know that collaboration is key to success at any company, so I would want to get to know everyone.”

16. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your career goals. They want to know if you plan on staying with the company for a long time or if you’re just looking for a job to get some experience. When answering, be honest and explain what steps you are taking to achieve your future goals.

Example: “I see myself in five years as an investment manager at Putnam Investments. I am currently enrolled in classes that will help me earn my CFA certification. Once I have it, I hope to apply for a position here. I think I would make a great addition to the team.”

17. What qualities make a strong leader?

Putnam Investments is a large company that manages money for clients. As such, it needs strong leaders to manage its employees and ensure they’re meeting the needs of their customers. When answering this question, you can describe your leadership style and how it helps you achieve success in your career.

Example: “I believe a good leader should be someone who’s willing to listen to others’ ideas and opinions. I also think it’s important to be able to make decisions on behalf of your team or organization. In my last position as an investment analyst, I was responsible for making recommendations about which stocks our firm should buy. While I always took input from my colleagues into consideration, I ultimately made the final decision.”

18. Can you tell me about a time when you were dissatisfied with a product/service? How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your customer service skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you helped resolve an issue with a company or organization and how that experience helped you develop your problem-solving skills.

Example: “I was once dissatisfied with a product I purchased online. The item arrived damaged, but the seller didn’t offer any sort of refund or exchange. I contacted the company’s customer service department and explained my situation. They apologized for the inconvenience and offered me a full refund. I appreciated their willingness to work with me on the matter.”

19. Why do you want to work at Putnam Investments?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in Putnam and how you discovered the company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific that attracted you to the job posting or the company itself.

Example: “I want to work at Putnam Investments because I have always admired the company’s mission of helping investors achieve their financial goals. In my last position as an investment advisor, I had many clients who were looking for ways to grow their portfolios while also protecting their assets from market fluctuations. I was able to help them find solutions by using Putnam’s wealth management services.”

20. What can you bring to our company?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have done some research on the company and are excited about working there. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about Putnam’s history or values.

Example: “I am passionate about investing and believe in Putnam’s mission of helping investors achieve their financial goals. I would love to work here because I think I could bring my expertise as an investor to help grow Putnam into the future.”