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

You own land that may or may not have oil underneath. If it does have oil it is worth 100k (20% prob), if it doesn't it is worth 30k. What is the expected value of the land? How much would you sell a contract for this land with a strike of 40k?
avatar

Assistant Trader

Interviewed at Susquehanna International Group

3.8
Mar 29, 2011

You own land that may or may not have oil underneath. If it does have oil it is worth 100k (20% prob), if it doesn't it is worth 30k. What is the expected value of the land? How much would you sell a contract for this land with a strike of 40k?

brainteaser: 30 people are 15 couples. they shake hands, but two people of the same couple don't shake hands with each other. now you know 29 people shake hands with different numbers of people (e.g. one person shakes hands with 4 others, another person shakes hands with 5 people, etc). question: how many people did the 30th person shake hands with?
avatar

Quant Trader

Interviewed at Jane Street

4.4
Oct 6, 2011

brainteaser: 30 people are 15 couples. they shake hands, but two people of the same couple don't shake hands with each other. now you know 29 people shake hands with different numbers of people (e.g. one person shakes hands with 4 others, another person shakes hands with 5 people, etc). question: how many people did the 30th person shake hands with?

You dip a cube into paint and pull it out. Then you cut it into a 27 sub-cubes and put them in a bag. If you randomly pick a sub-cube out the bag and roll it on the table, what is the probability that no paint is visible?
avatar

Assistant Trader

Interviewed at Jane Street

4.4
Jan 27, 2012

You dip a cube into paint and pull it out. Then you cut it into a 27 sub-cubes and put them in a bag. If you randomly pick a sub-cube out the bag and roll it on the table, what is the probability that no paint is visible?

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