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

There are 2 boys and unknown number of girls in a nursery. A new baby is just born inside the room. We pick randomly a baby from the room, it turns out that the baby is a boy. What is the probability that the new baby just born is a boy?
avatar

Assistant Trader

Interviewed at Susquehanna International Group

3.8
Oct 12, 2014

There are 2 boys and unknown number of girls in a nursery. A new baby is just born inside the room. We pick randomly a baby from the room, it turns out that the baby is a boy. What is the probability that the new baby just born is a boy?

If you have two torpedoes, each with a 2/3 probability of sinking a ship, what is the probability that a ship is sunk after firing both? Follow up - If you know that the ship has been sunk, what is the probability that one or both hit the ship?
avatar

Trader Intern

Interviewed at Susquehanna International Group

3.8
Feb 5, 2016

If you have two torpedoes, each with a 2/3 probability of sinking a ship, what is the probability that a ship is sunk after firing both? Follow up - If you know that the ship has been sunk, what is the probability that one or both hit the ship?

Given a black box that spits out random numbers from 0 through 1 (probability distribution can be random) such that events are independent and the probability of drawing any one number is 0, simulate a coin flip (with EXACTLY 50% heads, 50% tails).
avatar

Assistant Trader

Interviewed at Jane Street

4.4
Feb 4, 2014

Given a black box that spits out random numbers from 0 through 1 (probability distribution can be random) such that events are independent and the probability of drawing any one number is 0, simulate a coin flip (with EXACTLY 50% heads, 50% tails).

You and I play a game, we roll two dice and both pick a number before rolling them. The one closer to the sum wins. The distribution is non-uniform, with 40 % chance of getting a sum of 12 and a uniform distribution for all the other numbers. What is your strategy? Go first or second?
avatar

Trader

Interviewed at Jane Street

4.4
Oct 22, 2014

You and I play a game, we roll two dice and both pick a number before rolling them. The one closer to the sum wins. The distribution is non-uniform, with 40 % chance of getting a sum of 12 and a uniform distribution for all the other numbers. What is your strategy? Go first or second?

Suppose I have two pancakes, one with two burnt sides, one with one burnt and one unburnt side. I choose one of these pancakes randomly, and then look at one of its sides, chosen at random. It is burnt. What is the probability that I chose the pancake with two burnt sides?
avatar

Trader Intern

Interviewed at Citadel

4
Oct 25, 2019

Suppose I have two pancakes, one with two burnt sides, one with one burnt and one unburnt side. I choose one of these pancakes randomly, and then look at one of its sides, chosen at random. It is burnt. What is the probability that I chose the pancake with two burnt sides?

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