20 Questrade Interview Questions and Answers

Questrade is Canada’s largest independent online brokerage. They are headquartered in Toronto, Ontario and were founded in 1999. Questrade has over 35,000 clients and $8 billion in assets under management.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Questrade, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the financial industry, your knowledge of investment products, and your ability to provide excellent customer service. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample Questrade interview questions and answers.

Questrade Interview Process

The interview process at Questrade can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two rounds of interviews. The first round is usually a digital interview using Hirevue, followed by a second round of interviews with managers or other team members. For some positions, you may also be required to complete a writing assignment or take a typing test. Overall, the interview process is relatively standard and straightforward.

1. What do you know about Questrade?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its products. It also allows you to show that you have done some research on the company before coming in for an interview. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention one or two things about Questrade that stand out to you.

Example: “I know that Questrade was founded in 1999 by Peter Debrincat. I also know that they are Canada’s largest independent online brokerage firm. They offer over 100 commission-free ETFs, which is something that really interests me as someone who wants to invest in the stock market.”

2. Why do you want to work here?

Employers ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company. They want to know that you are genuinely interested in working for them and not just looking for a job. Before your interview, read through the company’s website and social media accounts. Look at what they do and how they describe themselves. Answer honestly about why you would like to work there.

Example: “I am very passionate about investing and financial planning. I believe Questrade is an innovative company that offers great services to its clients. I also love the idea of being able to work remotely as a financial advisor. I think it would be nice to have more flexibility in my schedule.”

3. How would you handle a client that was being rude and demanding?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to remain calm under pressure. When answering, it can be helpful to remember a time when you had to deal with a difficult client or customer.

Example: “I would first try my best to remain calm and polite while still remaining firm in my response. If they were being rude, I would remind them that I am here to help them and that I expect respect. If the situation continued, I would politely end the call and contact my manager for advice on how to proceed.”

4. Do you have any experience with customer service or sales?

Questrade is a financial services company, so they want to know that you have experience in the finance industry. They also want to know if you have any customer service or sales experience because these are transferable skills that can help you succeed at Questrade. If you do not have direct experience with either of these roles, consider discussing your previous job duties and how they relate to customer service and sales.

Example: “I worked as an administrative assistant for a small business where I was responsible for answering phones, scheduling appointments and managing client accounts. This role required me to work directly with clients on a daily basis, which helped me learn more about their needs and how to best serve them. I also learned how to communicate effectively with customers and coworkers.”

5. Tell us about a time where you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and passion for customer service. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific situation where you went above and beyond for a client or helped them in a unique way.

Example: “I once had a client who was looking to invest in some stocks but didn’t have much experience with the stock market. I spent an hour on the phone with him going over different strategies he could use to make money from his investments. He ended up making a lot of money from those stocks, and we still keep in touch today.”

6. Are you comfortable working in an environment where there are strict deadlines?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine how you handle pressure and time constraints. In your answer, share a situation in which you met a deadline or goal despite the challenges of working under tight deadlines.

Example: “I am comfortable working in an environment where there are strict deadlines because I have experience meeting them. At my previous job, I was responsible for creating weekly reports that were due every Friday at 5 p.m. Although it was challenging to create these reports on time each week, I learned to manage my time better so I could meet the deadline. The company eventually moved up the deadline to Monday mornings.”

7. Have you ever had a conflict with a coworker, how did you resolve it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you resolve conflicts and work with others. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to collaborate with others.

Example: “In my last role as a financial advisor, I had a coworker who was very critical of me in front of clients. This made it difficult for me to provide the best service to our customers. Instead of confronting her directly, I spoke with my manager about the issue. Together, we decided that she would no longer be allowed to meet with clients alone. After this change, she became more professional and stopped criticizing me.”

8. We pride ourselves on having excellent customer service. Can you tell me what good customer service means to you?

Questrade wants to know that you value their customers and will provide them with the best service possible. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you provided excellent customer service or how you would go about doing so.

Example: “Good customer service means being friendly and knowledgeable. I believe in treating others as I want to be treated, which is why I always try my best to answer questions thoroughly and help people find solutions to their problems. If someone has an issue, I like to take the time to listen to what they have to say and offer advice on how to solve the problem.”

9. Describe your ideal work environment.

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and how they would fit into your company. It also helps you determine if Questrade is a good fit for them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe what makes you feel comfortable in an office setting. You may want to mention any specific features of the workplace that appeal to you.

Example: “I enjoy working in a quiet environment where I can focus on my work without distractions. I find that when there are too many people around me, I have a hard time concentrating. I prefer to work alone but am open to collaborating with others as long as we set aside time to complete our individual tasks. I also like having access to coffee and snacks so I don’t need to leave the office to get something to eat.”

10. Tell me about a time when you were able to successfully de-escalate a situation with a difficult customer.

As a customer service representative, you may encounter challenging situations with customers. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience handling these types of interactions and how you react in them. In your answer, try to highlight the problem-solving skills you used to help resolve the situation.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they were having trouble accessing their account online. I asked them what type of device they were using to access the website and whether they were able to do so on other websites. They said they could only access it from their phone. I then told them that we didn’t support mobile devices at that time but would be adding compatibility soon. This seemed to calm them down, and they thanked me for my help.”

11. Tell me about a time when you were not able to meet a deadline.

This question is a great way to assess your ability to prioritize and manage time. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you took to ensure you met the deadline in the future.

Example: “In my previous role as an accountant, I was working on a client’s taxes when I realized that I had forgotten to include some of their income sources. This meant that I would have to redo all of the work I had already completed. I immediately contacted my client to let them know what happened and assured them that I would complete the taxes by the next day. The following day, I worked late into the night to make sure I could meet the deadline.”

12. What is your favorite part about interacting with customers?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how you interact with others. It can also show them what your priorities are when interacting with customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about Questrade that makes you enjoy working there.

Example: “My favorite part of interacting with customers is helping them find solutions to their problems. I love being able to use my knowledge to solve issues for people and make their lives easier. At Questrade, I’ve found that many clients have questions about investing in ETFs. This has allowed me to share my expertise on the subject and help other investors learn more.”

13. What kind of computer programs are you familiar with?

Questrade is a technology company, so it’s likely that you’ll be asked about your computer skills. This question helps the interviewer determine whether you have the necessary knowledge to complete tasks at Questrade. In your answer, list any programs you’re familiar with and explain how they helped you in previous roles.

Example: “I’m very comfortable using Microsoft Office products like Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I also use Google Drive for my documents and spreadsheets. These programs are essential to my work because they allow me to create reports and presentations quickly. I can also collaborate with other team members on projects more effectively when we all use these programs.”

14. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an irate customer.

Questrade is a financial institution, so it’s likely that you’ll have to deal with customers who are upset about something. This question helps employers understand how you handle conflict and shows them your problem-solving skills. In your answer, explain what steps you took to resolve the situation.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had an irate customer who called us because they were having trouble logging into their account. After listening to their issue, I realized that there was nothing wrong with their login information. However, I also noticed that they hadn’t set up two-factor authentication on their account. I explained this to them and helped them set up the security feature.”

15. What are some strengths and weaknesses you think you could bring to the team?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have done some self-reflection and are aware of your own strengths and weaknesses. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what skills you have that would help the team succeed and which ones might need improvement.

Example: “I am very organized and detail-oriented, so I always make sure to double-check my work before submitting it. This helps me avoid any mistakes or errors in my work. One area where I could improve is my ability to communicate effectively with others. I find myself sometimes being too quiet in meetings or not speaking up when I should.”

16. Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision without consulting your manager.

This question can help interviewers understand your decision-making skills and how you handle challenges. Use examples from your previous work experience to explain how you made the best choice for a situation, even if it wasn’t what your manager would have done.

Example: “In my last position as an investment advisor, I had a client who was interested in investing in cryptocurrency but didn’t know where to start. I explained that while there are many cryptocurrencies out there, some of them are scams. I recommended they invest in Bitcoin because it’s one of the most popular cryptocurrencies on the market and has been around for several years. They were happy with my advice and invested their money into Bitcoin.”

17. If hired, what would be your approach to establishing yourself as a valuable member of our team?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the role and how you plan to contribute to the company’s success. Your answer should include a few examples of what you would do in your first month on the job, such as:

Attending training sessions
Learning about the company culture
Asking questions when you need clarification
Example: “I’m eager to learn more about Questrade and its products and services. I also want to get to know my coworkers and understand the company’s values and goals. In my first week, I’d like to attend any onboarding or training sessions that are available. I’ll ask my manager if there are any other resources I can use to familiarize myself with the company. I will also reach out to my colleagues to introduce myself and ask them if they have any advice for me.”

18. How would you describe your communication style?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with your team and clients. Describe a time when you had to communicate important information to a group of people or an individual, and explain what steps you took to ensure everyone understood the message.

Example: “I find that I am most effective at communicating when I meet in person or over the phone. When I have something important to say, I prefer to speak directly to the person rather than send an email. This allows me to answer any questions they may have about my message and ensures they understand it fully. In my last role, I was responsible for communicating our company’s new social media strategy to all employees. I scheduled one-on-one meetings with each employee so we could discuss their specific roles within the strategy.”

19. What would you do if a customer was asking questions outside of your area of expertise?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a situation where you don’t have all of the answers. Use your answer to show that you’re willing to ask for help and collaborate with others to find solutions.

Example: “If I was working in an environment where there were multiple specialists, I would first try to answer the customer’s questions myself. If I couldn’t provide them with the information they needed, I would politely ask if they could hold on while I asked another specialist for their input. In this case, I would make sure to write down everything the customer told me so I could relay it accurately to the other specialist.”

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

This question is a great way to assess your ability to work under pressure and still meet deadlines. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you were able to complete an important task or project despite the stress of working under tight deadlines.

Example: “When I was in college, I worked as a tutor for students who needed extra help with their math classes. One semester, I had five different students that all needed my help at once. The professor gave me two weeks to get back to them about how they were doing in class. I stayed up late every night for two weeks helping each student until I could return the grades to the professor.”