20 Santander Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to a job interview, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions. Some of these questions will be general, such as “Tell me about yourself” or “Why do you want this job?” However, you will also be asked some company specific interview questions.

Santander Bank is a retail bank that provides its users with financial products and services. As such, when you go in for a job interview at Santander, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience with financial products and services. You may also be asked questions about your customer service skills and your ability to handle difficult situations.

Preparing for these company specific interview questions will help you to stand out from the other candidates and increase your chances of getting the job.

Santander Interview Process

The interview process at Santander can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two interviews, one of which may be a group interview. The difficulty of the interviews will also depend on the position you are applying for. For entry-level positions, the interviews may be more focused on your personality and whether you would be a good fit for the company. For more senior positions, the interviews may be more focused on your experience and skills. Overall, the interview process is generally quick and efficient.

1. What would you say is the most important quality for a banker?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you understand what it takes to be successful in this role. When answering, consider which qualities you possess and how they can help you succeed as a banker at Santander Bank.

Example: “The most important quality for a banker is integrity. As a banker, I am responsible for handling other people’s money, so I need to be trustworthy. If I were ever faced with an ethical dilemma, I would always do my best to make sure I made the right decision. Honesty is also very important because if customers don’t trust me, they won’t want to work with me.”

2. Would you be comfortable working in an environment that has targets and goals?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you are willing to work in a high-pressure environment. They want to know that you can handle pressure and perform well under it. In your answer, explain how you thrive in these environments and provide an example of a time when you worked in one.

Example: “I have always been someone who thrives in competitive environments. I enjoy the challenge of meeting goals and targets. At my last job, we had monthly sales targets for each employee. We also had quarterly and annual targets. I was able to meet all of our targets every month. It was challenging at times, but I enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment I got from doing so.”

3. Have you ever had to deal with an angry customer, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to assess your customer service skills. It’s important for employees at Santander Bank to be able to handle difficult situations with customers, so it’s helpful if you have experience in this area.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they were having trouble accessing their account online. I listened to what the customer was saying and tried to understand why they were frustrated. Then, I apologized for the inconvenience and explained that there was an issue with the website that we were working on fixing. The customer seemed satisfied with my response and thanked me for being honest.”

4. Describe your experience with handling money.

This question is a behavioral one that allows you to show your past experience with handling money. It’s important for the interviewer to know how you handle money and if you have any previous experience in banking or financial services.

Example: “I’ve worked as a cashier at my local grocery store since I was 16 years old, so I’m very familiar with handling money and making change. I also had an internship at a bank where I learned about different types of currency and how to count it. I find that counting money is easy for me because I can do it quickly and accurately.”

5. How do you think technology will impact banking?

As a bank, Santander is always looking for ways to improve its services and products. The interviewer may ask this question to see how you can use technology to make banking easier for customers. In your answer, explain how you would implement new technologies into the company’s current systems.

Example: “I think that technology will continue to change the way we do business. As a customer, I’ve noticed that many banks are starting to offer mobile apps with more advanced features. For example, my previous employer started offering an app where users could deposit checks remotely using their phone cameras. This was much faster than having to go inside the branch to deposit it in person.”

6. Do you have any experience dealing with large amounts of data?

This question is a great way to determine how comfortable you are with working in an environment that requires you to analyze large amounts of data. Santander Bank uses technology and software to help its employees manage the company’s financial records, so it’s important for interviewers to know if you have experience handling this type of work.

Example: “In my previous role as a bank teller, I was responsible for entering customer information into our database after they made a transaction. This required me to enter their name, account number, amount of money they withdrew or deposited and other details. It also involved sorting through large amounts of paperwork to find specific documents.”

7. Tell me about your past work experiences.

This question is a great way to learn about your potential new employer. It’s important to be honest and provide details that show you’re qualified for the position.

Example: “I started working at my current bank as a teller, where I learned how to interact with customers and resolve their issues. After two years of working there, I was promoted to customer service representative, which required me to answer phone calls from customers who had questions or needed help with their accounts. I also helped them set up online banking and assisted them when they were having trouble logging in.”

8. Santander is a company that focuses on getting feedback from customers. How would you gather that information?

This question is an opportunity to show your customer service skills and how you can use them to improve the company.

Example: “I would start by asking customers for feedback on their experience with our bank. I would ask them what they liked about Santander, but also what they didn’t like. This information will help me understand where we are excelling as a company and where we need to improve. I would then create a system that allows us to track this data over time so we can see trends in our performance.”

9. Provide an example of when you worked well under pressure.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you were able to complete a task or project despite having limited time. This can show the interviewer that you are capable of working under pressure and have experience with prioritizing tasks.

Example: “In my previous role as a customer service representative, I was responsible for handling calls from customers who had questions about their accounts. One day, I received over 20 calls within a two-hour period. While this may seem like a lot, I knew that if I could answer all of these calls in a timely manner, it would help keep the customers happy and reduce any wait times they experienced.”

10. If hired, what are some things that you could bring to our team?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have researched the company and understand what they are looking for in an employee. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of the skills listed on their job description or any other skills that you feel would benefit the team.

Example: “I believe my ability to work well with others and solve problems quickly could help me contribute to your team. I am also very organized and detail-oriented which helps me stay focused and productive throughout the day.”

11. Are you interested in going back to school?

If you have a degree in finance or banking, the interviewer may ask this question to see if you are interested in continuing your education. If you do not have a degree in this field, they may want to know if you would be open to getting one. In either case, it is important to show that you are motivated and willing to learn more about the industry.

Example: “I am currently enrolled in an online program for my bachelor’s degree in business administration. I chose this program because I wanted to continue working while earning my degree. I find that having a degree has helped me understand the financial world better and feel more confident when making decisions.”

12. Which area of banking are you most interested in working in?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have done your research on their company and are interested in working for them. Santander Bank has many different areas of banking, so it’s important to choose one that fits with your career goals.

Example: “I am most interested in working as a teller at this bank because I enjoy interacting with customers and helping them solve problems. As someone who values customer service, I think I would be a good fit for this role.”

13. Describe a time where you had to make a difficult decision. How did you go about making that decision?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you make decisions. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the process you used to make that decision.

Example: “In my previous role as a customer service representative, I had to decide whether or not to give a customer their money back after they made an online purchase. The customer was upset because they didn’t receive what they ordered. After talking with them about the situation, I found out that they were trying to return something that wasn’t eligible for returns. I explained to them why they couldn’t get their money back and offered them a discount on their next order.”

14. Why do you think you are the best candidate for this position?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your confidence and self-awareness. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight some of your most relevant skills and experiences that make you the best candidate for the job.

Example: “I believe I am the best candidate for this position because of my extensive customer service experience and my ability to work well with others. Throughout my career, I have worked in both call centers and retail banks, which has given me valuable insight into what customers want from their financial institutions. In addition, I think my communication skills are excellent, and I would love to use them to help Santander Bank provide its users with an even better customer experience.”

15. Can you tell us about a time when you had to adapt to change quickly?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you adapt to new situations and challenges. Use examples from your previous work experience that show you’re willing to learn new things quickly and perform well under pressure.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing a team of five employees. One day, one of our senior managers called me into their office and told me they were leaving the company. They asked me if I could take over some of their responsibilities until we found a replacement. I agreed, but only on the condition that I would find someone to replace myself as soon as possible.

I immediately began interviewing candidates for the open position and hired a new manager within two weeks. The transition went smoothly, and my team continued to operate at peak performance.”

16. How would you define success?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s values and goals. It can also help you determine whether they would be a good fit for your company culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you define success in your own life.

Example: “Success to me is achieving my goals while helping others do the same. I believe that if everyone works hard enough, we can all achieve our dreams. In my previous role as a teller, I helped many customers open their first checking accounts. Many of them were nervous or unsure of what to expect, but I was always happy to answer any questions they had. Seeing those customers leave with smiles on their faces made me feel like I had done a good job.”

17. How do you like to motivate other people?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills. You can talk about how you motivate others in a team setting or with individuals.

Example: “I like to use positive reinforcement when motivating people. I believe that everyone has the ability to do great things, and it’s my job as a leader to help them find their strengths and build on them. In my last role, I had a coworker who was struggling to meet her sales goals. She told me she felt overwhelmed by the amount of work she had to complete each day. I helped her create a daily schedule for herself so she could manage her time more effectively. After implementing this strategy, she met her sales goal within two weeks.”

18. What do you find challenging about bank politics?

This question is a great way to determine how you handle challenges in the workplace. Santander wants to know that you can navigate political situations and still be productive. In your answer, explain what you would do if faced with this challenge at work.

Example: “I find bank politics challenging because it’s hard to tell who has power or influence over others. I try to focus on my own performance and make sure I’m doing everything right. If someone tries to use their position to get something they want from me, I politely decline and refer them to someone else.”

19. In which areas of financial services do you see yourself growing?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have ambitions and goals for your career. It’s important to be honest about what areas of financial services interest you, but it’s also important to make sure they align with the job description.

Example: “I see myself growing in customer service and sales. I’ve always enjoyed interacting with customers and helping them find solutions to their problems. In my last role as a teller, I was able to help customers open new accounts and answer any questions they had. I think this experience would translate well into working at Santander.”

20. When was the last time you had to deal with a difficult client or situation?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use examples from your previous work experience to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “In my last position as a customer service representative for a large retail store chain, I had a client who was upset because they didn’t receive their online order in time for Christmas. The client was very rude on the phone and demanded that we send them another package free of charge or give them a refund. I remained calm and explained our policy of not shipping orders until December 20th. I also offered to provide a discount code for their next purchase.”