Fidelity Investments: Interview Questions And Their Importance

why fidelity investments interview question

Job interviews can be stressful, but thorough preparation can help you feel more relaxed and confident. This is especially true when preparing for an interview with a company like Fidelity Investments, which has a relatively difficult interview process. On average, it takes about 27 days to get hired at Fidelity Investments, and the interview process includes phone interviews, one-on-one interviews, group panel interviews, background checks, IQ intelligence tests, and personality tests. Knowing what to expect and researching the company, its mission, client base, strengths, weaknesses, and current happenings can help you feel more prepared. It is also important to know about the specific position you are applying for and the people who will interview you. In addition to preparing answers to common interview questions, it is essential to prepare insightful questions to ask the interviewer, demonstrating your engagement and interest.

Characteristics Values
Interview difficulty 5/10
Interview process length About a month
Interview process Phone interview, one-on-one interview, group panel interview, background check, IQ intelligence test, personality test
First interview Phone interview
Second interview Zoom interview
Interview questions Tell me about yourself, why Fidelity, scenario-based questions
Interview topics How you would react to different situations

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Interview process and experience

The interview process at Fidelity Investments is rated as medium difficulty by most respondents, with a rating of 5 out of 10 on Glassdoor. The process can be lengthy, with an average time of 27 days, and consists of several stages, including:

  • Phone Interview (23.84%)
  • One-on-One Interview (17.12%)
  • Group Panel Interview (9.73%)
  • Background Check (9.05%)
  • IQ Intelligence Test (6.09%)
  • Personality Test (3.86%)

Some candidates have reported a positive interview experience, describing it as relaxed, stress-free, and enjoyable. However, others have shared negative experiences, mentioning issues such as poor communication and a lack of professionalism.

The interview questions at Fidelity Investments vary depending on the role being applied for. Technical roles may involve coding challenges and technical interviews, while other positions may focus on behavioural and scenario-based questions. It is common to have multiple interviews, including a phone screen, hiring manager interview, and panel interviews with colleagues and teams.

Behavioural Questions:

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Tell me about a time when you had to adapt or approach a problem differently.
  • Describe a challenging situation and how you handled it.
  • Tell me about a project on your resume and your motivations for doing it.
  • What is your greatest accomplishment?
  • What is a challenge you've overcome?

Competency Questions:

  • Do you have experience preparing and delivering presentations?
  • How do you deal with client rejection or objections?
  • How do you react to setbacks in portfolio management?

Compatibility Questions:

  • Do you prefer to work independently or with partners?
  • How do you build relationships with your team?

Communication Questions:

  • How would you explain mutual funds to someone unfamiliar with the concept?
  • How would you explain what we do at Fidelity to someone unfamiliar with our company?

Discovery Questions:

  • Why do you want to work at Fidelity?
  • Why do you want to work in the financial space?
  • What skills did you learn in your current role that will help you succeed at Fidelity?

Diligence Questions:

  • How do you stay current on developments and trends in wealth management?
  • What is your approach to risk-taking?

Diversity Questions:

  • What organisations or groups are you involved with outside of work?
  • What is your approach to working with individuals from different backgrounds or points of view?

Salary Questions:

  • What are your salary expectations?
  • How do you feel about working in a highly commissioned role?

Teamwork Questions:

How will your skills complement Fidelity?

Other Common Questions:

  • Why Fidelity?
  • Tell me about your experience.
  • Usual background questions (e.g. past work experience)

Tips for the Interview Process:

  • Prepare in advance by researching the organisation, its mission, client base, background, strengths, and weaknesses.
  • Know the specific business unit or department you are applying to.
  • Be ready to answer common interview questions and practice your responses.
  • Plan your outfit in advance to ensure a professional appearance.
  • Review your resume and be prepared to answer questions about your work experience and qualifications.
  • Ask insightful questions during the interview to show your interest and engagement. Avoid questions that can be easily answered through simple research.
  • Be authentic and conversational in your answers, allowing your personality and career story to shine through.

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Interview questions

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why Fidelity?
  • What is a mutual fund? What is a stock?
  • Do you prefer to work independently or with partners?
  • Why do you want to work in the financial space? Where would you like your career to take you?
  • How would you explain what we do at Fidelity to someone unfamiliar with our company?
  • Do you have experience preparing and delivering presentations?
  • How will your skills complement Fidelity?
  • What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing the wealth management industry today?
  • How do you deal with client rejection or objections?
  • How do you stay current on developments and trends in wealth management?
  • Do you have your Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation? If not, is this something you would like to achieve?
  • What is your greatest strength/weakness as a finance professional?
  • How do you build relationships with your teams?

In addition to these common interview questions, candidates for technical roles at Fidelity Investments can also expect to be asked technical questions during the interview process. For example, candidates for software engineering roles may be asked about their experience with specific programming languages or frameworks.

It is important to prepare for your interview by researching the company, the role you are applying for, and practising your answers to common interview questions. This will help you feel more confident and relaxed during the interview.

Preparing for the Interview

  • Research the company: Learn about Fidelity Investments' mission, client base, background, strengths, and weaknesses. Keep yourself updated with the company's current happenings.
  • Know the position you are applying for: Study the job description and match your experience to the required skills.
  • Research the interviewers: Do a quick online search to find out more about the people who will be interviewing you. Knowing their professional background can help you make connections during the conversation.
  • Plan your outfit: Consider dressing in a polished and professional manner. If you have insight into the company's culture, use it to guide your choice of attire.
  • Review your resume: Go through your resume beforehand so that you can respond naturally to questions about your work experience and qualifications.
  • Prepare for common interview questions: Practise answering common interview questions to help you give thoughtful and authentic responses.
  • Ask questions: Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer. This shows your engagement and interest in the role and the company. Avoid asking questions that can be easily answered through simple research.

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Interview preparation

Know the company

It's important to research the company thoroughly before your interview. Learn about their mission, client base, background, strengths and weaknesses. Also, be aware of any current happenings and news involving the company. This shows your interest and enthusiasm for the role.

Know the role

Study the job description so you can match your experience to the required skills.

Know the interviewer

Do an internet search for the people who will be interviewing you. Knowing their professional background can help you make connections and foster a more natural conversation during the interview.

Plan your outfit

Consider dressing a little more polished than your usual day-to-day look. Ensure your clothes are clean, ironed and in good repair.

Prepare for common interview questions

Ask the recruiter about the interview format and who will be present. Practise your responses to common questions such as:

  • Tell us about yourself.
  • What is your greatest accomplishment?
  • Why do you want this job?
  • What is a challenge you've overcome?
  • Why did you leave your last job?
  • How would you describe yourself?
  • Why should we hire you?

Prepare questions to ask the interviewer

It's important to ask insightful questions to show your engagement and interest. Avoid asking questions that can be answered by simple research. Instead, demonstrate your knowledge of the company by asking about specific actions not mentioned in the job description, or enquire about the biggest challenges the company will face in the next year.

Prepare an elevator pitch

Have a short pitch about yourself ready in case you are asked to describe yourself.

Prepare to follow up

Ask about the next steps in the interview process and whether it's ok to call and follow up.

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Interview topics

Many candidates report being asked to explain their interest in the role and the company, with questions like "Why Fidelity?" and "Tell me about yourself". It is also common to be asked about previous work experience, with questions like "Tell me about a project on your resume and your motivations for doing it".

For roles in the financial sector, candidates are often asked about their interest in the industry and their understanding of financial concepts. For example, "Why do you want to work in the financial space?" and "How would you explain mutual funds to someone unfamiliar with the concept?".

Technical roles may involve a coding challenge or questions about specific tools and systems used.

Candidates are also assessed on their analytical skills and problem-solving abilities, with questions like "How do you deal with client rejection or objections?" and "How would you explain what we do at Fidelity to someone unfamiliar with our company?".

Some interviews include a role-play or scenario-based questions to see how candidates react to different situations.

It is also common to be asked about community involvement, as this is important to Fidelity.

Finally, candidates are often asked if they have any questions for the interviewer. It is recommended that these are prepared in advance and are insightful, showing a genuine interest in the company and role.

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Interview follow-up

After your interview, it's important to follow up with your interviewer to express your continued interest in the role and thank them for their time. Here are some tips on how to effectively follow up after a job interview:

  • Send a thank-you note: Within 24 hours of your interview, send a brief email to your interviewer(s) thanking them for their time and reiterating your interest in the position. You can also use this opportunity to address any concerns they may have raised during the interview.
  • Ask about next steps: In your thank-you note, or during the interview itself, be sure to ask about the timeline for the next steps in the hiring process. This will help you know what to expect and when to follow up if you haven't heard back.
  • Follow up as needed: If you don't hear back by the expected date, don't be afraid to reach out again. Send a polite email or give them a call to inquire about the status of your application. This demonstrates your continued interest in the role.
  • Maintain professionalism: Regardless of the outcome, always maintain a professional tone in your communications. Even if you don't get the job, you want to leave a positive impression in case other opportunities arise in the future.
  • Seek feedback: If you don't get the job, consider asking for feedback on your interview performance. This can help you improve for future interviews and may even leave a positive impression on the interviewer.
  • Stay connected: If you made a good impression, consider staying connected with your interviewer(s) by adding them on LinkedIn or following up in a few months to see if any new opportunities have arisen.

Remember, the interview process doesn't end when you walk out of the room. A thoughtful and professional follow-up can help set you apart from other candidates and increase your chances of landing the job.

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Frequently asked questions

The interview process at Fidelity Investments consists of several stages, including phone interviews, one-on-one interviews, group panel interviews, background checks, IQ intelligence tests, and personality tests. This comprehensive approach allows the company to assess candidates' suitability for the role and ensure a good fit with the company culture.

Candidates can expect a mix of behavioural, technical, and general knowledge questions during the interview process. Behavioural questions explore how candidates have handled specific situations in the past, while technical questions assess industry-specific skills and knowledge. General knowledge questions may cover topics such as the candidate's experience, career goals, and interest in the company.

The hiring process at Fidelity Investments typically takes around 27 days on average. However, this can vary depending on the specific role and location. For example, the hiring process for a Customer Service Representative role may be shorter, while that for a Customer Relationship Advocate role could take longer.

Preparing for a Fidelity Investments interview involves researching the company, understanding the role, and practicing common interview questions. Candidates should also be ready to ask their interviewers questions, demonstrating their interest and engagement. It is important to avoid asking questions that can be easily answered through simple research on the company website.

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