20 Zions Bancorporation Interview Questions and Answers

Zions Bancorporation is one of the nation’s largest financial services companies, with over $65 billion in assets. Zions operates more than 850 full-service banking offices in 11 Western and Southwestern states.

The interview process at Zions is known to be very competitive. If you’re hoping to land a job at Zions, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, qualifications, and goals.

In this guide, we’ve provided a list of sample Zions interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Zions Bancorporation Interview Process

The interview process at Zions Bancorporation can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will be conducted by a recruiter, hiring manager, and/or panel of employees. The interview process is generally quite lengthy, and candidates may have to wait several weeks or even months to hear back about a decision. Additionally, the interview questions can be quite difficult, and applicants should be prepared to answer both technical and behavioral questions. Overall, the interview experience at Zions Bancorporation is generally positive, though some candidates may find the process to be slow and frustrating.

1. Tell me about a time when you had to work with people who were not very cooperative.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you work with others and your ability to collaborate. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you worked with someone who was not cooperative and what steps you took to resolve the situation or improve working relationships.

Example: “In my last role as a loan officer, I had a client who was very difficult to work with. They would often call me at all hours of the day asking for updates on their loans and were constantly late on payments. After talking with them about the importance of making timely payments, they still continued to be late on payments. Eventually, I decided to change their loan terms so that they could only make one payment per month instead of two. This helped them stay organized and avoid missing any more payments.”

2. How would you handle an irate customer?

Zions Bancorporation is a large financial institution that serves customers in Utah, California and Nevada. Interviewers ask this question to make sure you have the interpersonal skills necessary to work with their customers. Use your answer to show them how you would handle an angry customer while maintaining professionalism.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they were having trouble accessing their account online. I listened to what they were saying and asked questions to understand exactly what the problem was. After learning more about the issue, I explained why it was happening and told them when we expected it to be fixed. The customer seemed satisfied with my response and thanked me for being so helpful.”

3. What is your experience in the banking industry?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it relates to this role. If you have experience in banking, describe what your job duties were and how they relate to this position. If you don’t have direct experience in banking, explain any other relevant work experience that can help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I’ve worked as an accountant at Smith & Associates Accounting Firm for five years. My primary responsibilities included managing client accounts, creating financial reports and maintaining accurate records. I also helped my clients with their tax preparation and filing processes.”

4. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers want to know what you’re good at as well as areas where you can improve. When answering this question, be sure to highlight your strengths while also acknowledging any weaknesses that you have.

Example: “I am extremely organized and detail-oriented. I’m always prepared for meetings or presentations because of my attention to detail. However, sometimes I get so focused on the details that I forget about the big picture. I’ve learned to balance both by taking notes during meetings and then going back over them later to make sure I understand everything.”

5. Are you comfortable working with large amounts of data?

Zions Bancorporation is a large financial institution that handles millions of dollars in transactions every day. The company wants to make sure you have the skills and experience necessary to work with large amounts of data, so they ask this question. If you are not comfortable working with large amounts of data, consider explaining why you would seek out training or additional education to develop these skills.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with large amounts of data. In my last role as an analyst, I was responsible for analyzing thousands of pieces of data each week. I used complex formulas and software programs to analyze the data and create reports. I can adapt to any new technology needed to complete my job duties.”

6. What types of programs do you have experience with?

Zions Bancorporation uses a variety of programs to complete daily tasks. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with specific software and how you would adapt to using new programs if necessary. Use your answer to highlight the computer skills that are most relevant to this role, such as:

Database management systems
Spreadsheet applications
Word processing software
Example: “I have extensive experience working with database management systems like SQL Server and Oracle. I also have several years of experience with spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. In my last position, I used these programs to organize data and create reports for senior executives.”

7. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your qualifications and how you can benefit their company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills that make you unique as well as the skills that are most relevant to the position.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person who has excellent time management skills. I have experience working in a fast-paced environment where I had to prioritize multiple tasks at once while maintaining my attention to detail. These skills would be beneficial to Zions Bancorporation because they show that I am capable of handling large projects with many moving parts.”

8. What part of the job description interests you most?

This question helps the interviewer determine if you are a good fit for the position. They want to know that you have an interest in their company and what they do. When answering this question, make sure to highlight something specific from the job description. This shows that you read it thoroughly and understand what is expected of you as an employee.

Example: “I am most interested in working with customers. I love helping people solve problems and find solutions. In my last role, I helped customers set up new accounts and answered questions about our products. It was rewarding to see how happy they were when they left the bank.”

9. Can you give me examples of how you worked under pressure in previous positions?

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 stay calm under pressure, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last position as a loan officer, I had to process many loans at once. This led to some challenging situations where I was working with clients who were in need of immediate answers. However, I always made sure to communicate clearly with them about what steps I would take to complete their applications. In one instance, I worked with a client who needed a loan for a new business venture. They wanted an answer right away, but I explained that it could take up to two weeks to review their application.”

10. Why do you want to work at Zions Bancorporation?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. Use your answer to highlight any personal or professional values that align with Zions Bancorporation’s mission, vision or core values.

Example: “I want to work at Zions Bancorporation because I believe in providing excellent customer service. In my last role as a teller, I noticed customers would often come into the bank without enough money to cover their transactions. Instead of just telling them they needed more cash, I helped them find ways to make up the difference. For example, if they were depositing checks, I would show them how to use our online bill pay system so they could send funds from another account.”

11. Give me an example of a time when you exceeded expectations on a project.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are capable of taking on more responsibility and can be trusted with additional projects. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills you used in completing the project and how they benefited your company or organization.

Example: “In my previous role as an account manager for a marketing firm, I was tasked with creating a social media campaign for one of our clients. The client wanted to increase their followers by 10% within two weeks. I created a plan that included different types of content and scheduled posts throughout the week. By implementing these strategies, we were able to reach our goal and gained 15% new followers.”

12. Do you feel that you are qualified for this position?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your confidence level and determine if you are prepared for this role. When answering, be honest about your qualifications and highlight any skills or experiences that make you an ideal candidate.

Example: “I feel that my previous experience in customer service makes me qualified for this position. I have excellent communication skills and am comfortable speaking with customers of all backgrounds. My ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently also makes me a good fit for this role. In my last position, I was often tasked with solving issues between customers and my team members. I enjoy helping others find solutions to their problems.”

13. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends in business analysis?

Zions Bancorporation wants to know that you are committed to your career and want to learn more about the industry. Show them that you have a passion for business analysis by describing how you stay up-to-date with trends in technology, data collection and analysis.

Example: “I am passionate about my career as a business analyst, so I make it a point to read articles from reputable sources on topics like big data analytics, cloud computing and artificial intelligence. I also attend conferences and seminars where experts share their knowledge on these subjects. These resources help me understand what is happening in the world of business analysis and give me ideas for new projects.”

14. What was one thing you learned from a recent training session?

This question can help the interviewer get an idea of your learning style and how you apply what you learn to your work. Use this opportunity to show that you are eager to learn new things, and that you appreciate any training opportunities you have had in the past.

Example: “At my last job, we had a monthly training session where we learned about different aspects of our company’s software. I really enjoyed these sessions because they helped me understand more about the program and use it more efficiently. It also gave me ideas for ways to improve my workflow.”

15. Have you ever been involved in developing a new system or process?

This question can help the interviewer determine your ability to work with a team and implement new ideas. Use examples from previous jobs or school projects that show you have experience working on large-scale projects.

Example: “At my last job, I worked with a team of developers to create an online system for our customers to track their accounts. We started by researching other systems we could use as a base for ours. Then, we developed the website using coding languages like HTML and CSS. The project took about six months to complete, but it was well worth it because it helped our customers access their account information more easily.”

16. What is your approach to solving a problem?

This question can help the interviewer understand your problem-solving skills and how you approach a challenge. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your critical thinking, analytical and reasoning skills.

Example: “I first assess the situation by gathering all relevant information about the issue at hand. Then I analyze the facts and develop possible solutions. After that, I evaluate each solution based on its potential outcomes and choose the best one. Finally, I implement my decision and monitor the results to ensure it’s working as expected.”

17. Describe a time where you helped someone improve their skills, what did you do?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can help others grow. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the steps you took to help someone improve their skills and what they learned from that experience.

Example: “When I first started working in my current role, one of my coworkers was having trouble with some of the more advanced features of our software. They were able to use most of the program but had issues with creating reports and analyzing data. I offered to help them learn these new functions by setting up a time where we could work on the software together. We met for an hour each day for two weeks, and by the end of the second week, they were able to create all types of reports and analyze data.”

18. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers want to know what your greatest strengths are so they can use them when you’re on the job, but they also want to know about any weaknesses that you’re actively working to improve. When answering this question, be sure to focus on your strengths first.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well with others. I am always looking for ways to help others succeed, and I believe that teamwork is an essential part of success. My weakness would have to be my attention to detail. While I do my best to proofread everything I write or type, sometimes mistakes slip through. I’ve been taking steps to improve my attention to detail by using software that highlights errors.”

19. What do you know about our company?

This question is a great way to test your research skills and show the interviewer that you are serious about this role. Before your interview, read up on Zions Bancorporation’s website and social media accounts. Look for information about their mission statement, values and recent news stories. You can also ask someone who works there what they like most about working at the company.

Example: “I am very impressed with how much Zions Bancorporation cares about its employees. I saw an article online about how you recently gave all of your employees a $1,000 bonus after the tax reform bill was passed. It seems like you have a lot of pride in your work, which makes me excited to be here.”

20. What kind of systems have you used in your previous roles?

Zions Bancorporation uses a variety of systems to manage its operations. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with these systems and how you might fit into the company’s existing processes. In your answer, try to identify which systems you’ve used in the past and what kind of experience you have with them.

Example: “In my last role as an IT specialist, I worked with several different types of systems. We had our own proprietary system for managing customer accounts, but we also integrated with other software providers like Zions Bancorporation. I’m familiar with many of the systems that Zions Bancorporation uses, including those for accounting, human resources and marketing.”