Trader Interview Questions

Trader Interview Questions

In a trader interview, the interviewer likely wants to see that you are knowledgeable about financial markets and have strong opinions about them. Further, you can expect hypothetical questions that test your sales skills and showcase your personality. Speak persuasively and with conviction about the latest news in stocks.

Top Trader Interview Questions & How To Answer

Question 1

Question #1: Pitch me a stock that you would buy or sell now.

How to answer
How to answer: This is an opportunity to demonstrate your sales skills and tell a convincing story about a stock. Choose a company you know well, and be prepared for follow-up questions. Defend your case without wavering.
Question 2

Question #2: What is the riskiest decision you have ever made?

How to answer
How to answer: While trading is a role that requires risk taking, you can use this question to prove that you are thoughtful and well-researched when evaluating risk. Talk through your reasoning, why you determined this was an appropriate risk to take, and what the outcome was. The interviewer might also want to see you confidently stand by your decisions.
Question 3

Question #3. Tell me about something that happened recently in the financial markets and your opinion of it.

How to answer
How to answer: This question is twofold. A successful answer would first prove that you have a genuine interest in stocks and keep up to date with market news, which changes daily. Stay informed by reading reputable financial newspapers regularly. Second, this question allows you to share your unique point of view. Try to show the interviewer that you see value where others may not.

8,650 trader interview questions shared by candidates

1 of the Final Round question: there is a token, which works as the following: you can pay XX$ to buy it, and then propose a bet. If you wins the bet, then that's it, and you can keep the token and use it in next round. If you lose the bet, you can use the token to take back half of your money. How much is that token worth based on the chips both side have on that day?
avatar

Assistant Trader

Interviewed at Jane Street

4.4
Sep 28, 2012

1 of the Final Round question: there is a token, which works as the following: you can pay XX$ to buy it, and then propose a bet. If you wins the bet, then that's it, and you can keep the token and use it in next round. If you lose the bet, you can use the token to take back half of your money. How much is that token worth based on the chips both side have on that day?

A bus has some number of people initially. At first stop, three quarters of the passenger get off, and 7 get on the bus. At the second stop, the same thing happened, three quarters of the passenger get off, and 7 get on the bus. At the third stop, exactly the same thing happened as previous two stops. What is the minimum number of passengers to start with?
avatar

Quantitative Trader

Interviewed at Jane Street

4.4
Dec 15, 2013

A bus has some number of people initially. At first stop, three quarters of the passenger get off, and 7 get on the bus. At the second stop, the same thing happened, three quarters of the passenger get off, and 7 get on the bus. At the third stop, exactly the same thing happened as previous two stops. What is the minimum number of passengers to start with?

Pretty standard question that has been asked before... keep flipping a coin until a winning combination appears (either HHT or HTT). Which strategy would you pick given the choice and why. Find the probabilities of winning associated with each strategy.
avatar

Assistant Trader

Interviewed at Jane Street

4.4
Sep 3, 2012

Pretty standard question that has been asked before... keep flipping a coin until a winning combination appears (either HHT or HTT). Which strategy would you pick given the choice and why. Find the probabilities of winning associated with each strategy.

We are going to bet on a football game for $10. Halfway through the game I can choose to raise the bet to $20. After I raise the bet to $20 you have a crystal ball that tells your chances of winning the game, what is the minimum probability of winning in order for you to take the bet. (note: if you decline the raise you forteit your original $10. IF you accept, $20 is on the line.
avatar

Assistant Trader

Interviewed at Susquehanna International Group

3.8
Nov 1, 2012

We are going to bet on a football game for $10. Halfway through the game I can choose to raise the bet to $20. After I raise the bet to $20 you have a crystal ball that tells your chances of winning the game, what is the minimum probability of winning in order for you to take the bet. (note: if you decline the raise you forteit your original $10. IF you accept, $20 is on the line.

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