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

Have a truck starting that can carry a maximum of 1000 apples, and starts with 2000 apples at a depot. What's the maximum number of apples that can be carried across a 1000 mile desert assuming 1 apple falls off the truck for every mile travelled?
avatar

Assistant Trader

Interviewed at Jane Street

4.4
Jan 12, 2012

Have a truck starting that can carry a maximum of 1000 apples, and starts with 2000 apples at a depot. What's the maximum number of apples that can be carried across a 1000 mile desert assuming 1 apple falls off the truck for every mile travelled?

You play a game where you roll a 100-sided die label with the numbers 1-100. You can either get paid the amount rolled in dollars or pay a dollar to roll again. You can always elect to pay another dollar to roll again, until you're finally satisfied with your current roll and get paid out based on that. What's the optimal strategy for this game and what's your expected winnings given this strategy?
avatar

Assistant Trader Internship

Interviewed at Jane Street

4.4
Feb 28, 2013

You play a game where you roll a 100-sided die label with the numbers 1-100. You can either get paid the amount rolled in dollars or pay a dollar to roll again. You can always elect to pay another dollar to roll again, until you're finally satisfied with your current roll and get paid out based on that. What's the optimal strategy for this game and what's your expected winnings given this strategy?

You have a deck of 3 black cards and 3 red cards in random order. There is a game where you turn over one card at a time; if it is red you win a dollar, if it is black you lose a dollar. How much would you pay to play this game?
avatar

Trader Intern

Interviewed at IMC Trading

4.1
Oct 14, 2015

You have a deck of 3 black cards and 3 red cards in random order. There is a game where you turn over one card at a time; if it is red you win a dollar, if it is black you lose a dollar. How much would you pay to play this game?

Flipping of a coin. Heads $20, tails -$5. Do you like this game. Second game, $20million heads, tails -$5. Do you prefer the second game? Last game is the same values as the first game, we can play it once or 100 times which would you prefer and why?
avatar

Graduate Trader

Interviewed at IMC Trading

4.1
May 30, 2012

Flipping of a coin. Heads $20, tails -$5. Do you like this game. Second game, $20million heads, tails -$5. Do you prefer the second game? Last game is the same values as the first game, we can play it once or 100 times which would you prefer and why?

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