Are you looking for BlackRock interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your BlackRock interview? This article is for you. This article also explains the application process at BlackRock.
If you are new to BlackRock and want to understand the corporation and land a job there, this article is also for you.
We will look at over 30 BlackRock interview questions and answers, as well as behavioural questions, too. So, if you are uncertain about the interview questions that can be asked and how best to answer them, continue reading.
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Table of contents
- What is BlackRock?
- What is the Application Process at BlackRock?
- What are Some Competency Questions at BlackRock Application Process?
- What is the BlackRock Interview Process?
- What are BlackRock Interview Questions and Answers?
- 1. Walk me through your resume.
- 2. What are the five principles?
- 3. If your last position didn’t work out, why was that?
- 4. Describe your experience leading a team, including at least one challenge you faced as a manager/team leader
- 5. Why are you interested in this role?
- 6. Tell me something about yourself I cannot find on your CV
- 7. How do you manage difficult situations?
- 8. If hired to this role here at BlackRock, what do you see as one initial hurdle you must overcome in your first weeks on the job?
- 9. We’ve had a lot of interest in this position. Why should we hire you?
- 10. The day-to-day life in this role can be hectic and stressful. How would you be motivated when working with stressed colleagues and pushy clients if hired for this role?
- 11. Give me an example of a time you had to solve a problem without the necessary information. How did you handle that situation?
- 12. How would you deal with a difficult colleague?
- 13. Do you have questions for me?
- 14. What do you like best about working for BlackRock?
- 15. What do we do?
- 16. What Are Your Salary Expectations?
- Other BlackRock Interview Questions
- Conclusion
- FAQs
What is BlackRock?
BlackRock is a large financial corporation and doubles as one of the world’s largest corporations that specifically focuses on asset management, with $9 Trillion in assets under management.
It has a large workforce and many opportunities for graduates and interns, with over 70 offices worldwide. Also, it hires software engineers and developers to manage its many tech-oriented activities in investment management.
While at that, the company offers lucrative salaries and a conducive working environment that rewards innovation, performance, and integrity.
At BlackRock, the graduate scheme recruits about 80 candidates annually and another 80 into internship programs. All globally, including Europe, Asia, and the United States of America.
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What is the Application Process at BlackRock?
This section explains the application process at BlackRock. This process applies to both graduate roles as well as experienced hires. Generally, the BlackRock application process includes the following:
- Participating in live video interviews with the company’s team representatives you applied to.
- An additional interview(s) may be a group exercise, a presentation or a case study.
However, the BlackRock application and recruitment process comprises the following:
- The online application form
- The numeric reasoning test
- The assessment centre
Basically, each stage of the interview assesses your knowledge, skills, and expertise in your field.
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The Online Application Form
Like other renowned companies or corporations, the BlackRock application process begins with obtaining as much necessary information about the applicant as possible.
This enables them to make informed decisions about whether or not you, as the applicant, are suitable for the role you are applying for.
Usually, it is a simple application form requiring you to fill in your educational details and upload copies of your CV and cover letter.
An important thing to do is to tailor your cover letter to the role you are applying for, so you must do some research before submission.
Also, the application will include some competency-based questions, so your cover letter is your opportunity to show the topmost skills you can bring to the role and how you can add value to the company.
We will give examples of the competency questions you will likely encounter.
What are Some Competency Questions at BlackRock Application Process?
Some of the competency questions might include the following:
- Why do you want to join BlackRock?
- What are your reasons for choosing this business area?
- Outline a position of responsibility you have occupied in the past and explain your notable achievements.
- Do you have anything further you want us to consider as part of your application?
Usually, these questions are asked to give you a chance to show that you are the perfect candidate for the position.
Although most companies do not have the company-specific competencies they seek, you must incorporate the criteria and requirements from the job description and person specification.
A good tip is always to incorporate the criteria while answering questions. This is important because it shows that you have skills and have also taken the time to do some research.
If your application is completed, you will be invited to the next process step: the numerical test.
You can begin your application here.
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The Numerical Reasoning Test
The numerical reasoning test at BlackRock is provided by SHL, a leading test preparation and career centre.
The numerical reasoning test is provided to test your ability to identify trends in a diverse range of numerical data incorporating data, tables, graphs, charts, spreadsheets, and other forms of statistical information.
This test requires applicants to perform fast and accurate calculations to evaluate the information and correctly answer the questions.
The numerical reasoning test takes 20 minutes to complete. It comprises 20 questions, so you must allocate a minute to each.
Meanwhile, you can practice this test and improve your speed and accuracy on trial using providers such as JobTestPrep. It will help to sit for the examination as often as possible until your technique is refined and you can perform better at the numerical reasoning test at BlackRock.
The Assessment Center
The assessment centre usually consists of two interviews, a group exercise, a presentation, and an additional numerical reasoning test, which differs greatly from the previous assessment.
First Interview
The first interview focuses on evaluating your skills, abilities, and motivations. The trick to ace this interview is to thoroughly research the company, your position or role, and the department in which you are applying beforehand.
Second Interview
This interview section explores your skills and competencies in handling the role you have applied for. Basically, the second interview will be based on your application.
Some of the likely interview questions at BlackRock include:
- How does BlackRock make its revenue?
- Define the purpose of regression.
- What do you think of iShares in relation to the wider market?
To successfully answer these questions, you need to have researched and have a lot of ideas about the company and its operations.
Group Exercise
Another important part of the application process at BlackRock is the group exercise, where you will be provided with a problem and be expected to develop a solution to working in a team.
The main purpose of this group exercise is to analyze how you collaborate, interact, and contribute in a team setting.
Providing a solution isn’t the key criterion for judging success in this assessment. However, your role, contributions, and efforts in assisting other team members towards achieving common objectives are.
Presentation
You will be required to do a presentation. This involves analyzing some given information in line with a specific task and then presenting the findings of your analysis to either a team or a company of directors.
Usually, the presentation lasts for about 10 minutes – a 10-minute question-and-answer session.
Before your presentation, you must be prepared to justify or defend your findings and answer questions about them.
You must deliver your presentation with confidence and effective communication skill. Also, you must break down your information into small, simple sections and leave room for questions at the end of your presentation.
While you prepare, it is important to know that BlackRock is quite competitive, and even the littlest mistake could cost you your dream opportunity at the company.
Having understood the application process at BlackRock, we will move into the BlackRock interview questions and answers.
What is the BlackRock Interview Process?
Below is the BlackRock interview process:
1. HireVue Interview
This interview comprises two questions that you must answer in three minutes for each and, afterwards, 90 seconds to record your response to each question.
2. Assessment
This depends on the position and the department you are applying to. If you are applying for an internship, you may need to complete a coding challenge and a numerical reasoning test through HireVue.
3. A Virtual Interview
A virtual interview follows afterwards, where you will be asked questions specifically focused on the company’s values. Also, you will be asked some behavioural questions.
4. The In-person Interview
This is the final stage of the BlackRock interview process. This stage primarily focuses on your technical skills as well as your qualifications. Also, this stage may include the need to undergo a group exercise or presentation to show your cooperation and presentation abilities.
What are BlackRock Interview Questions and Answers?
BlackRock is quite competitive among job seekers. Usually, this is due to the strict selective process employed at BlackRock due to the large number of applications that BlackRock receives.
BlackRock has a set of experienced recruitment teams. So they can easily tell if you are the perfect candidate for the position during your interview and whether or not you have completed the required preparatory work.
Your best bet at getting in will be to conduct a thorough research about the company, its operations, and the role and department you are applying to before applying. It is also important to prepare to successfully scale through the different recruitment stages: from the initial application to the assessment activities.
Also, ensure that your application stands out from the rest, and one of the best ways to do this is to practice some common interview questions at BlackRock and draft your answers carefully. Note that this list of the general BlackRock interview questions and answers is not tailored to a particular role or department.
This section outlines some commonly asked BlackRock interview questions and answers.
1. Walk me through your resume.
This is the new “Tell me about yourself.’
How to answer: It is first important to ask your interviewer exactly what he/she is looking for. Here is an example:
“What part of my background is most interesting to you, and how much time would you like me to spend answering the question?”
While you answer this question, after your interviewer responds, it is important to pay close attention to know when you are losing their attention. When you find that this is happening, you could ask,
“Would it be helpful to go into more details or to summarize here?”
The trick is to avoid long storytelling while you answer.
2. What are the five principles?
Ensure you are familiar with the Blackrock Principles and find how to use elements from your resume to show that you meet them.
However, the five principle questions might not come directly. They could ask how you handle working in a team, as this is one of the BlackRock Principles.
How to answer: Having studied the BlackRock principles, consider how you fit into them and highlight real-world examples of where you have met them.
3. If your last position didn’t work out, why was that?
The trick here is always, to tell the truth about why your last position didn’t work, and if for nothing else, to be honest.
How to answer: If your last position didn’t work out because you had gotten in only to find that it wasn’t what you wanted, rather than answering that you were lied to by the last company you worked with, say,
“I didn’t do more due diligence before joining, and wish I had.”
4. Describe your experience leading a team, including at least one challenge you faced as a manager/team leader
Usually, this question is asked to assess your ability to handle challenges and how you react in the face of some.
How to answer: Ensure you describe the challenge(s) and include what you learned from the challenges and handling them.
While you prepare for this question, ensure that they are genuine, strong, and in relation to your new position enough that your interviewer can verify with a reference call should there be a need to.
5. Why are you interested in this role?
This question clearly asks what benefits you hope to get from the role or position you have applied for.
How to answer: Ensure you are informed about the company’s organizational structure, background, vision and mission statements, and competitive framework.
Think of your motivation to work in that role and what you hope to gain from working there.
6. Tell me something about yourself I cannot find on your CV
This is an avenue to brag in a good way. Here, your interviewer wants to know what you have done that has benefitted another or society. Simply, this is the interviewer asking for another aspect of your personality, not professional most of the time, that can not go on the CV.
How to answer: Think of something you have done in the past that set you apart: were you part of a movement that resulted in a good cause? Did you take care of an elderly person who you clearly know could never pay you back? Did you volunteer at an orphanage home or a non-profit organization?
Anything that sets you apart. Blow your horn!
7. How do you manage difficult situations?
Difficult situations are a part of life. As an adult, you have had many difficult situations, and the fact that you are reading this proves that you handled them well. If not, then you scaled through them and got out alive.
How to answer: Ensure that you are honest about the difficult situation. Also, while you describe how you managed a difficult situation in your past, ensure you highlight how you resolved conflicts, your leadership skills and how you thrive in teamwork.
8. When can you start?
The purpose of this question is for the recruiter to consider the notice period at your current company (if you are not out of work before your interview).
How to answer: By all means, resist the urge to show your eagerness to join the team. You could show that you are excited to join, but showing and expressing the former is not advisable.
While answering this question, remember to be in your best physical and mental state to join the company. However, do not set an unrealistic time.
Usually, job offers have a set date until they are not valid anymore. Be careful not to choose a date close to or after the set date.
8. If hired to this role here at BlackRock, what do you see as one initial hurdle you must overcome in your first weeks on the job?
Your interviewer wants to know that you are teachable. Also, you are a fast learner and can respond to challenges proactively. Your interviewer wants to ensure you view challenges as opportunities for growth, not problems.
How to answer: Here, you can tell if you need help filling in training gaps or already have the formal training needed for your role. To answer this question, think of potential challenges in the first few weeks at your job and share how you can handle and overcome them.
Also, you could think of a time when you were confronted with a challenge and how you responded to it at your previous new job.
9. We’ve had a lot of interest in this position. Why should we hire you?
Here, your interviewer wants to know why you believe you are the best candidate for the position.
BlackRock is highly competitive, and you will compete with many other qualified candidates for the same position. This question is a platform to blow your horn and let your interviewer know why they should hire you for that position.
How to answer: Consider what makes you stand out professionally from the other candidates. This could be your work ethic, previous work history, leadership qualities, how and where they were used, or leadership positions at a renowned university or organization. Also, this could be your role at a volunteering job.
However, it is important to know that every candidate applying for the same position has things that make them stand out from you, so this is not an avenue to tell why you are qualified. Rather, share how your experiences from those things make you the best candidate for the position.
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10. The day-to-day life in this role can be hectic and stressful. How would you be motivated when working with stressed colleagues and pushy clients if hired for this role?
This question is used to assess if you are self-motivated. Also, your interviewer wants to know how you can handle working in an environment where your colleagues are stressed, unmotivated or overwhelmed.
How to answer: Discuss your time working in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment or project. Also, highlight the traits that contributed to successfully managing those situations.
11. Give me an example of a time you had to solve a problem without the necessary information. How did you handle that situation?
Here, your interviewer wants to know your ability to be resourceful and analytical in certain situations that caused you to dig further to provide a solution to a problem.
How to answer: Think of a time that you encountered a challenge and talk about how you walked through it, dug deeper and how developed or found a solution to the problem, as well as the approaches you took.
Here, ensure that you are as detailed as possible.
12. How would you deal with a difficult colleague?
How to answer: Discuss a time in your previous job when you dealt with a difficult colleague and your approach.
Also, mention how you related the issue to a senior in your department and the strategies you implemented to prevent conflict at the workplace.
13. Do you have questions for me?
Basically, interviewers are not only meant to ask questions during interviews; they sometimes answer too. You can think up questions to ask the employer.
How to answer: Ask your interviewer anything you want to know about your job role or the company that is not in the job description or website.
14. What do you like best about working for BlackRock?
How to answer: Your interviewer knows you are just interviewing and have no experience of what it feels like to work at BlackRock. However, they assume you have thoroughly researched the company and would want to know why BlackRock.
15. What do we do?
This is another question to show that you have done your research.
Read everything you can find about the company and highlight what BlackRock does and how they do them. If you have the time, it will help to mention their core values and how they relate to your dream career.
16. What Are Your Salary Expectations?
Your interviewer wants to know what your salary expectations are. This is a tricky question to answer without first researching the company and the role you are applying for.
You don’t want to sell yourself short and regret it after the interview, as you do not have a do-over to say your much-preferred price.
How to answer: Do your research before the interview so that you will be prepared to name a price regardless of your initial response. You can use free online salary calculators to find a salary range based on your skills, role, experience, and location.
Other BlackRock Interview Questions
17. How long do you see yourself working at BlackRock, Inc. if hired?
18. What is your greatest failure?
19. Tell me about a time you set a goal but could not reach it.
20. How would you describe your work ethic?
21. How do you manage stress in your personal and professional life?
22. Describe a time you had to decide when you did not have all the information available?
23. Tell us about a time when you worked on a complex project where you had to learn new things/concepts and implement them.
24. Tell us about the most challenging project you’ve worked on?
25. Tell us about when you had to join a new team and quickly adapt.
26. Describe a situation in which your work was criticized.
27. What are your weaknesses?
28. What are your strengths?
29. What would you do if your superior made a wrong decision during a project? Would you trust their judgment?
30. What could BlackRock improve upon?
Conclusion
BlackRock is quite competitive; however, we trust you will get in if you follow our guidelines and prepare for your interview with our BlackRock interview questions and answers beforehand.
We wish you the best.
FAQs
BlackRock is an investment management company offering clients various financial products and services worldwide. It offers asset management, risk management, technology, human resources, marketing, and more roles.
You can apply for a role at BlackRock by visiting the company’s careers website and searching for available positions. You can then submit your application online by creating an account and completing the necessary information.
The application process typically involves submitting an online application, which includes uploading your resume and cover letter. If your application is selected, you may be invited to participate in a series of interviews with BlackRock employees. The interviews may be conducted over the phone, through video conferencing, or in person.
BlackRock interview questions may vary depending on the role you are applying for. Still, some common questions include behavioural and situational questions, technical questions related to the role, and questions about your past experiences and qualifications.
References
- blackrock.com
- wikijob.co.uk – Blackrock: Interview Questions & Application Process Tips
- gdpi.hitbullseye.com – Black-Rock Interview Questions
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