20 RBC Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, every company has their own unique set of questions that they like to ask. And if you’re interviewing with Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), you’ll want to be prepared to answer some specific questions about the company.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some common RBC interview questions, so you can go into your interview with confidence. We’ll cover questions about your experience, why you’re interested in working for RBC, and what you know about the company.

So if you’re looking to ace your RBC interview, read on for some helpful tips.

RBC Interview Process

The interview process at RBC can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will consist of at least one phone screen, followed by one or more in-person interviews. For some positions, you may also be required to take a skills assessment or participate in a group interview. Overall, the interview process is generally long and detailed, and you should expect to be asked tough questions about your experience and qualifications.

1. Are you familiar with the financial industry?

This question is a great way to determine if you have any experience in the financial industry. If you do, it’s an excellent opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise with the interviewer. If you don’t, you can explain why you’re interested in working for RBC and what you hope to learn from this position.

Example: “I’ve worked as a bank teller at my local credit union for five years now. I love interacting with customers and helping them find solutions to their financial problems. My previous manager encouraged me to pursue a career in banking because of my customer service skills and attention to detail.”

2. What do you know about RBC’s culture?

RBC is a global financial institution that has a strong culture. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are familiar with the company’s values and how they might fit in with your own personal values. To answer this question, think about what you know about RBC’s culture from reading its website or other sources. Try to focus on aspects of the company’s culture that align with your own values.

Example: “I have heard great things about RBC’s culture, which I can tell is very focused on innovation and customer service. These are two areas where I also place a lot of value, so I feel like we would be a good match.”

3. How would your past experience benefit our company?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have done your research on their company. It also allows you to highlight any skills or experiences you gained in previous roles that would be beneficial for this position.

Example: “I believe my past experience working as an assistant manager at a local restaurant would benefit RBC because of my ability to work with a team and manage multiple projects at once. I am used to having to balance many tasks while still meeting deadlines, which is something I feel will help me succeed in this role.”

4. Do you have any experience working as a team lead or manager?

Royal Bank of Canada is a large financial institution that offers many opportunities for advancement. If you have experience working as a team lead or manager, highlight your leadership skills and how they helped the team succeed.

Example: “I’ve worked as a team lead in my previous position at First National Bank. I was responsible for managing a small team of five employees who were all new to the company. My role was to help them learn their roles and responsibilities while also helping them overcome any challenges they faced. I found that by being approachable and offering support when needed, my team members were able to perform well and meet their goals.”

5. Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision that was not popular and how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can make tough decisions. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the steps you took to ensure that the unpopular decision was made with the best intentions.

Example: “When I first started my career as an accountant, I had to let go of one of our employees who wasn’t performing well at work. It was a difficult situation because he was a good friend of mine, but I knew it was something I needed to do for the company. Before letting him go, I met with him privately to discuss his performance and give him some tips on how to improve. He thanked me for the opportunity and promised to try harder.”

6. If you were given an assignment, what steps would you take to complete it on time?

This question is a great way to assess your time management skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you would take and how they relate to the job description.

Example: “I would first make sure I understand what my manager expects from me. Then, I would create a schedule for myself that includes deadlines and breaks. Finally, I would check in with my manager regularly to ensure I am on track.”

7. Do you have a passion for finance?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the industry and how you can contribute to RBC. If you have experience in finance, describe what you enjoy about it. If you don’t have any experience but are passionate about the field, explain why you want to work in finance.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in finance because I love problem-solving. When I was in college, I took an accounting class that really sparked my interest in the field. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to pursue a career in finance. I think I would be a great fit for this role because I’m detail-oriented and I like working with numbers.”

8. Have you ever worked in customer service before?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have experience working with customers and can handle difficult situations. If you haven’t worked in customer service, you can talk about how you’ve helped other people before.

Example: “I actually started my career as a bank teller at a local credit union. I was the youngest employee there, so I had to learn how to work with all different types of people. Some days were more challenging than others, but I learned how to help everyone who came through the line. I also took some online courses on customer service skills, which really helped me understand what it takes to be successful in this role.”

9. Why are you looking to leave your current position?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you are looking for a new job because you want to grow and develop your career or if you’re looking for a change. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about why you’re leaving your current position but also highlight what you’ve learned from that experience.

Example: “I’m looking for a new opportunity because I feel like my current role is no longer challenging me. I have been working in banking for five years now, and while I love helping customers with their finances, I am ready to take on more responsibility and learn new skills. In my previous position, I was able to work as part of a team to solve customer issues and provide solutions to their financial problems.”

10. Describe a situation where you provided excellent customer service.

Customer service is an important part of working in banking. Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you can apply them to their organization. When answering, try to think of a specific example that shows your ability to work with customers and solve problems.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, I had a client who was having trouble accessing his account online. He called me on the phone, and I asked him what he was trying to do. After hearing his problem, I realized it was because he forgot his password. I helped him reset his password so he could access his account again.”

11. Can you tell me about a problem you solved creatively?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you used creativity to solve a problem that benefited your team or company.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on a project with a group of other employees. We were tasked with creating an advertising campaign for one of our clients. During our meeting, we all had different ideas about what we should do. I suggested we create two campaigns instead of just one so we could test out both ideas and see which one worked better. The client loved both campaigns, and we ended up getting more work from them.”

12. Can you describe a difficult work situation and how you overcame it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you respond to challenges and use your problem-solving skills. Use examples from previous work experiences that highlight your ability to adapt, learn new things and solve problems.

Example: “In my last position as a customer service representative for an insurance company, I had a difficult situation with one of my clients who was unhappy with their policy. The client called me multiple times about the same issue, which made it challenging to resolve the matter. After speaking with the client several times, I realized they were having trouble understanding some of the terms in their policy. I offered to send them a copy of the policy in an email so they could print it out and read it more carefully. They agreed, and after reading through the policy, they understood why we couldn’t offer a refund. We continued to correspond by email until they felt comfortable with the policy.”

13. How do you stay up-to-date with changes in the financial field?

Royal Bank of Canada is a large financial institution that offers many different services to its clients. The interviewer wants to know how you stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the industry and what steps you take to learn new skills or information.

Example: “I am passionate about my career, so I make it a point to read articles from reputable sources and attend seminars and conferences where experts share their knowledge. I also subscribe to newsletters from various companies and organizations to receive updates on changes in regulations and other important news.”

14. What is one of your weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Employers want to know that you are aware of your weaknesses and actively working on them. When answering this question, try to choose something that isn’t essential for the job but shows you’re self-aware.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person, so I sometimes find myself micromanaging my team members. However, I’ve learned to recognize when I’m doing this and have started asking my team how they would like me to help them with their work.”

15. What is your greatest strength?

This question is a common one in interviews. It allows you to highlight your best qualities and show the interviewer that you are confident about yourself. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific example of when you used your greatest strength.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well with others. I have always been someone who enjoys helping others succeed. In my last position, I was able to help a new employee learn their job by teaching them how to do tasks on their own. This helped me develop my skills as an instructor while also allowing the other employee to feel more comfortable at work.”

16. Tell us about yourself.

This is a common question that employers ask to learn more about your background and experience. They want to know what you have accomplished in the past, how it relates to this position and if you are a good fit for their company culture. When answering this question, be honest and highlight your most relevant skills and experiences.

Example: “I am an experienced financial advisor who has worked at my current job for five years. I enjoy helping clients find solutions to their financial problems and work hard to ensure they feel comfortable with their investments. My previous employer recognized my dedication to customer service by promoting me to senior financial advisor two years ago.”

17. What are some techniques you use to build rapport with customers?

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution that offers services to customers in over 50 countries. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your customer service skills and how you can help them meet the needs of their diverse clientele. Use examples from previous work experience or describe what you would do if you were working with a new client.

Example: “I find it important to listen carefully to my customers’ concerns, as I can use this information to better understand their unique situation and provide more personalized service. In my last role, I worked with several clients who spoke English as a second language. To ensure they understood everything we discussed, I used simple language and provided additional explanations when needed.”

18. When have you had to adapt to new technology at work?

Technology is constantly changing, and employers want to know that you can adapt to new technology. This question also helps them understand your ability to learn new things quickly.

Example: “When I started working in my current role, the company was using a different software for their accounting. The system we were using had some issues with reporting, so our department decided to switch to a new program. We spent several weeks training on the new system before implementing it into our daily work. It took some time to get used to the new system, but now I feel comfortable using both systems.”

19. What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your work ethic and what inspires you to succeed. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a time when you were motivated by something in your life or career.

Example: “I am motivated by my desire to make an impact on the world around me. I want to use my skills and talents to create change for the better. In my last role, I was able to motivate my team members to put forth their best effort because of my passion for our work. We all wanted to do our part to help the company achieve its goals.”

20. What type of work environment makes you most productive?

RBC is a large company that offers many different types of work environments. The interviewer wants to know what type of environment you prefer and why. This question also helps the interviewer understand your personality and how it might fit in with their organization.

Example: “I find I am most productive when I have a quiet space where I can focus on my work without distractions. However, I also enjoy working as part of a team and collaborating with others. I think RBC would be a great place for me because there are so many opportunities to collaborate with other employees.”